Groningen is steeped in music and provides a stage for European talent during Eurosonic. But local talent from Groningen is also given a voice. Grunnsonic, part of POPgroningen, showcases music from the region itself. Sanne Smelt from POPgroningen would be happy to tell you more about it.
Giving a voice to local talent
''You don't have to look that far to find good music,'' says Sanne Smelt of POPgroningen. ''For the same money, your neighbour is in a rock good band''. Northern music is there to be heard, thinks POPgroningen. A club of people that gives local talent a voice. That is why they make every effort to promote it. Encourage. Acting as a catalyst, through development projects. They do this through working sessions, providing a network and arranging gigs, among other things. Everything to help the northern musician move forward.
“ ‘Northern music is there to be heard’ ”
Eurosonic & Grunnsonic
They do this all year round, including during Eurosonic. Part of this three-day festival is Grunnsonic: a series of showcases of musicians from Groningen. POPgroningen has a leading role in this. ''There is plenty of talent in our local ponds. So these are artists who have visibly worked on their act over the past year. They are ready for it, can put down a set,'' says Sanne.
One of Grunnsonic’s aims is to showcase these artists and offer them stage experience. In doing so, it seeks to raise their profile not only amongst the wider public but also amongst professionals in the music industry. “We literally offer these artists a stage,” says Sanne. “After all, a booker also wants to see how a band performs. Of course, you can send the booker a track from Spotify, but it’s much better if they can see it with their own eyes.”
“ ‘Groningen breathes music’ ”
More music
Logged out but not done with music yet? Quite understandable. Luckily, Groningen is a city of music all year round. So there are plenty of places where it's good to be musically. From jazz to rock and everything in between. Almost every day, someone will perform in a pub or café. Nice and cosy, small-scale, and here and there a musician on a street corner. If you prefer a bigger concert, next to Simplon you can also go to VERA and SPOT. Groningen always has music to your ears.
