Rockhal + Atelier, Luxemburg - events

16-01-2026 – Jessé – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
23-01-2026 – Menace Santana – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
25-01-2026 - Calogero – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
31-01-2026 - Boulevard des airs – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
01-02-2026 – Bernhoft @De Gudde Wëllen (Org: Atelier LU)
01-02-2026 – Miossec – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
04-02-2026 – White Lies – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
05-02-2026 – The Beaches – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
05-02-2026 – The Kooks @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
06-02-2026 – Royal Republic – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
08-02-2026 – Komrad – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
11-02-2026 – Lucio Corsi – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
17-02-2026 – Amy Macdonald – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
17-02-2026 – Airbourne @Luxexpo the box (Org: Atelier LU)
19-02-2026 – Biffy Clyro @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
24-02-2025 – Jason Derulo @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
25-02-2026 - Coeur De Pirate – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
25-02-2026 – Mika @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
26-02-2026 – David Byrne @Rockhal (Oreg: Atelier LU)
27-02-2026 – Sean Paul @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
01-03-2026 - Portugal. The Man – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
04-03-2026 – Taïro – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
05-03-2026 – Ozark Henry – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
06 + 07-03-2026 – The world of Hans Zimmer
07-03-2026 – Grossstadtgeflüster – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
08-03-2026 – Maro – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
12-03-2026 – Tom Smith - Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
13-03-2026 – Kraftklub @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
15-03-2026 – Helge Schneider – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
19-03-2026 – Les Négresses Vertes – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
19-03-2026 – Ao @De Gudden Wëllen (Org: Atelier LU)
21-03-2026 - Hooverphonic – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
27-03-2026 – Charles Doré - Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
28-03-2026 – Protoje – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
29-03-2026 – Sprints – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
01-04-2026 – Maluma
01-04-2026 – Poppy – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
10-04-2026 – Franz Ferdinand @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
10-04-2026 – Dirty dancing in concert @Trifolion Echteranch (Org: Atelier LU)
23-04-2026 – Dekker – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
24-04-2026 – Bénabar – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
26-04-2026 – Alvaro Soler @Grix (Org: Atelier LU)
27-04-2026 – Joe Bonamassa @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
30-04-2026 – Michael Patrick Kelly – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
05-05-2026 – Kasalla – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
07-05-2026 – Sarah Connor @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
08-05-2026 – Sofia Iselaa
15-05-2026 – Blue – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
20-05-2026 – Dermot Kennedy @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
20-05-2026 – Rodrigo Y Gabriela – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
03-06-2026 – Big thief – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
11-06-2026 – Megadeth @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
13-06-2026 – Ethel Cain – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
21-06-2026 – Anthrax – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
30-06-2025 – Chris Isaak – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
01-07-2026 - The Offspring@Luxexpo Open-Air (Org: Atelier LU)
02-07-2026 – Dogstar @Festival de Wiltz (Org: Atelier LU)
02-07-2026 – Annenmaykantereit @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
03-07-2026 – Moby, Beirut @Neimënster (Org: Atelier LU)
05-07-2026 – Gorillaz @Luxexpo Open-Air (Org: Atelier LU)
06-07-2026 – Robbie Williams @Luxexpo Open-Air (Org: Atelier LU)
07-07-2026 – Jamiroquai @Luxexpo Open-Air (Org: Atelier LU)
08-07-2026 – ZAZ @Neimënster (Org: Atelier LU)
08-07-2026 – Lenny Kravitz @Luxexpo Open-Air (Org: Atelier LU)
12-07-2026 – Clueso @Neimënster (Org: Atelier LU)
14-07-2026 – Katy Perry @Luxexpo Open-Air (Org: Atelier LU)
15-07-2026 – Jovanotti @Niemënster (Org: Atelier LU)
23-09-2026 – 1986zig – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
07-10-2026 – Sportfreunde Stiller – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
14-10-2026 – Lake street dive – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
15-10-2026 – Samu Haber @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
23-10-2026 – Sofia Belabbes @Opderschmelz (Org: Atelier LU)
15-11-2026 – Heavysaurus – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
17-11-2026 – Martin Kohlstedt @Trifolion Echternach (Org: Atelier LU)
18-11-2026 – Joe Jackson + Band – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
19-11-2026 – Zebrahead – Atelier (Org: Atelier LU)
20-11-2026 – The Witcher in concert @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
21-11-2026 – Beast In Black, Santa Artica, Frozen crown @Rockhal (Org: Atelier LU)
22-11-2026 – Conni, Das Zirkus, Musical! @Opderschmelz (Org: Atelier LU)
29-11-2026 – Lichterkinder @Gridx (Org: Atelier LU)
16-12-2026 – Ph ilipp Poisel @Trfolion Echternach
2027
Jessé @Opderschmelz (Org: Atelier LU)

Rocklab events - zie site
Info  http://www.rockhal.lu  of Info http://www.atelier.lu

Even voorstellen - Wouter Thijssen 'Wondermooie Rotzooi', single

Thorn In My Side Recordings
Release: 13 januari 2026

Wondermooie Rotzooi is de tweede single van Broer, het nieuwe album van Wouter Thijssen dat in het voorjaar verschijnt op het nieuwe label Thorn In My Side Recordings (Bonfire Lakes, RAMAN.). Wouter schreef Wondermooie Rotzooi naar aanleiding van een fotoboek dat zijn broer Wille achterliet. Het documenteert de excessen, de idealen en de dadendrang van een lang vervlogen subcultuur van punks uit de jaren 80. Het fotoboek was ook de aanleiding voor de postume instagramaccount Wille_1971.

"Broer grijpt terug naar een woelig verleden, vol littekens, rebellie en huiselijk geweld. Mijn oudere broer Wille en ik. Vluchtend in de groeven van het Zwarte Goud dat zich opstapelde in onze kamers. Hij één en al dadendrang en anarchie terwijl ik me terugtrok in mijn verbeelding. Wille ging ten onder, ik leefde voort met zijn geest die in me rondwaarde. Mijn muziek brengt hulde aan onze unieke broederband en aan een verleden dat we nooit kunnen bezweren." - Wouter Thijssen
Wouter Thijssen - Wondermooie Rotzooi
Wouter Thijssen - Wille

Credits:
Tekst, muziek & productie: Wouter Thijssen
Zang, gitaren, toetsen: Wouter Thijssen
Bas: Sean Willekens
Drums: Michel Becx
Opname en techniek: Koenraad Foesters, Studio Jupiter

Live:
2 april, Café Café, Hasselt
Meer live data tba

Even voorstellen – José Gonzalez, ‘against the dying of the light’

JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ ANNOUNCES FIRST NEW ALBUM SINCE 2021, "AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT"
RELEASED 27 MARCH VIA CITY SLANG

SHARES NEW SINGLE 'AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT'
Watch the video for ‘Against The Dying Of The Light’ - directed by Fredrik Egerstrand:
https://youtu.be/K9krPYK6JWM

José González has announced the release of his highly-anticipated fifth solo studio album. His first album in more than four years, Against The Dying Of The Light will arrive via City Slang on 27 March 2026. Along with the announcement he has shared a video for the title track  'Against The Dying Of The Light’.

Speaking of the track José says:
“It's a song reflecting on humanity in 2025; about accepting who we are and what led us here, since the past can’t be changed. Then about refocusing our attention on the challenges ahead, like pervert incentives and algorithms that aren't in line with human flourishing.
And even though we have enormous opportunities with new technology that can eventually design and copy itself, we don’t have to build it right away if it has the potential to make us obsolete. We can rebel against these replicators, rebel against the dying of the light.”
Since his previous album, Local Valley, the dramatic darkening of shadows across the global landscape has demanded blunter truth telling, carried by a more forceful, often frustrated and even angry expression from the singer-songwriter. With its focus on technological fears, alongside wider issues like the need to identify unhelpful thinking and refuse non-inclusive ideologies, Against The Dying Of The Light was born out of deep conviction as much as artistic choices.
Reflecting on the album as a whole, José explains:
“Against the Dying of the Light is a reflection on how we create hurdles to human flourishing by clinging stubbornly to dogmatic ideologies where people follow dudes who pretend to know shit they don’t know. 
These are songs about how we can navigate humanity towards flourishing on an individual and a collective level. They can be listened to just for the sounds, harmonies, and rhythms but the lyrics are meant to inspire people to engage and take action by collaborating to solve collective problems.”
Whilst José spent his younger years playing in a hardcore band, he also embraced singing in a choir. Speaking on this, he reminisces, “It was really fun. Not cool at all, but really fun. I learned the different scales and also a bit of vocal technique. It speaks to something deeply human – to stand together as 20 people, just singing – and now that I’m older I feel it’s time to embrace the universal aspects”. José, who’s an atheist, nowadays enjoys watching his partner singing and performing with a local "indie/church choir".

This record is a potent rallying point for the universal choir.
José’s career to date has been nothing short of momentous: four solo albums in 23 years; over 1 million physical copies sold worldwide plus a billion streams; platinum records in the UK, Australia and New Zealand; Swedish Grammy for Singer/Songwriter of the Year 2021, Local Valley, and inducted into Swedish Music Hall of Fame in 2024.
José recently took the 10% Pledge, a public commitment to give 10% of his income to effective charities fighting extreme poverty via Giving What We Can. Members of his Pledge Club have thus far donated to such charitable organisations as Helen Keller International, Against Malaria Foundation, New Incentives, and GiveWell Top Charities Fund. For more information or to request an invitation to José’s Pledge Club, please visit givewithjose.com.

VRT news - Topaffiche voor MIA’s 2025

Optredens van onder andere Pommelien Thijs, Zwangere Guy en Dressed Like Boys

Nog even geduld: op woensdag 4 februari is het zover! Dan vindt de 18de editie van de MIA’s (Music Industry Awards) plaats in de ING Arena in Brussel, een avond vol muziek, verrassingen en feest. Er vallen prijzen te winnen in 11 publiekscategorieën en 6 sectorcategorieën, én er worden 2 ‘Lifetime achievement awards’ uitgereikt. De MIA’s zijn een organisatie van VRT en VI.BE, het steunpunt voor artiest en muzieksector. Vandaag maken beide initiatiefnemers de line-up bekend.

Wie treedt er op?
Ze deed het al eens en ze doet het gewoon opnieuw: Pommelien Thijs is dit jaar dé blikvanger van de MIA’s. Met maar liefst 9 nominaties in evenveel categorieën, 5 publieksprijzen en 4 sectorprijzen, kan ze geschiedenis schrijven. Als ze alle awards binnenhaalt, breekt ze het record van Stromae, die in 2013 acht MIA’s won. Eén ding staat vast: Pommelien is niet alleen topfavoriet, ze zorgt ook voor een spetterend optreden tijdens de liveshow.
Met 7 nominaties is ook Zwangere Guy een van de grote kanshebbers van deze editie. Hij maakt indruk in 4 publiekscategorieën en kan met 3 sectorprijzen naar huis. In maar liefst 5 categorieën neemt hij het rechtstreeks op tegen Pommelien Thijs. Alsof dat nog niet genoeg is, schreef hij in november geschiedenis door als eerste Nederlandstalige rapper ooit solo het podium van de ING Arena te claimen. Zijn optreden op de MIA’s zal voor hem dus vertrouwd aanvoelen.
Het soloproject van Gentse singer-songwriter Jelle Denturck, beter bekend als Dressed Like Boys, is dé ontdekking van het jaar. Hij is voor het eerst genomineerd en kan meteen met 6 awards naar huis. Wordt hij dé verrassende winnaar van deze editie? Wat sowieso zeker is: zijn optreden tijdens de liveshow wordt een bijzonder moment.
Na een jaar van afwezigheid maakte Metejoor in de herfst een grandioze comeback: hij bracht zijn nieuwe album ‘3’ uit en gaf twee uitverkochte shows in de AFAS Dome. Op een groot podium voelt de zanger zich thuis, dat zal hij ook in de ING Arena tonen. Dat de zanger populairder dan ooit is, bewijzen zijn 5 nominaties.
Ook Kaat Van Stralen treedt op tijdens de liveshow van de MIA’s! Deze jonge Aarschotse muzikante boekte met haar debuutsingle ‘Stop met wenen’ vorig jaar een enorme doorbraak: ze won zowel Sound Track als De Nieuwe Lichting 2025 van Studio Brussel en bracht haar zelfbewuste, punkachtige kleinkunstwereld naar een breed publiek. Kaat Van Stralen belooft in de ING Arena een persoonlijke, energieke en opvallende performance neer te zetten.
Ook het optreden van Bazart wordt vast onvergetelijk. Hun recente single ‘Nooduitgang’ gaf een sneakpreview van hun nieuwe album ‘Exit’ dat in april verschijnt. Van intieme clubconcerten tot grootse festivals: de jongens van Bazart kunnen het allemaal. In mei geven ze twee shows in de Lotto Arena, tijdens de MIA’s smijten ze zich helemaal in de ING Arena.
Vorig jaar stond Seppe Herreman, beter bekend als Red Sebastian, al op het grootste podium van Europa, zoniet de wereld. Hij vertegenwoordigde ons land op het Eurovisiesongfestival met ‘Strobe lights’. Optreden tijdens de indrukwekkende show van de MIA’s is dus een kolfje naar zijn hand. In september kwam zijn album ‘Turn on the lights’ uit.
Welke muziekcarrières in de schijnwerpers worden gezet met de ‘Lifetime achievement award’ en de ‘Sector Lifetime achievement award’ onthullen VRT en VI.BE later. De artiest die geëerd wordt met de ‘Lifetime achievement award’, treedt ook op in de liveshow van de MIA’s 2025.

Feest mee
De 18de editie van de MIA’s vindt plaats op woensdag 4 februari 2026 in de ING Arena in Brussel, tickets zijn verkrijgbaar op mias.be. De feestelijke awardshow is ook live te volgen op VRT 1, VRT MAX, verschillende radiozenders én sociale media-accounts van VRT. Net als de voorbije jaren zal Niels Destadsbader de liveshow presenteren.

Iedereen geniet mee
Tijdens de MIA’s zet VRT MobileConnect in om luisterondersteuning te bieden aan doven en slechthorenden. Wie een hoorapparaat of implantaat draagt, kan presentaties en optredens haarscherp streamen via de smartphone naar dat toestel. Liever wat meer rust met een hoofdtelefoon? Ook dat kan door eenvoudig te streamen via de eigen gsm. Dankzij deze technologie maakt VRT het mogelijk dat meer mensen volwaardig deelnemen aan studio-opnames en evenementen. Deze innovatie benadrukt de blijvende inzet van de publieke omroep voor toegankelijkheid, zodat iedereen kan genieten van VRT-programma’s en events. Deze pagina verzamelt alle info over de toegankelijkheid van de MIA’s.

De MIA’s zijn live te beleven op woensdag 4 februari 2026 in de ING Arena in Brussel of live te volgen op VRT 1, VRT MAX, verschillende radiozenders én sociale media-accounts van VRT.

Nog meer muziek
De MIA’s vinden plaats tijdens de Week van de Belgische muziek, die loopt van maandag 2 tot en met zondag 8 februari 2026. In die periode staan Belgische artiesten en de volledige muzieksector in de kijker. Voor het zesde jaar op rij zetten VI.BE, VRT, RTBF en tal van andere sectorspelers en -organisaties artiesten van eigen bodem extra in de schijnwerpers en moedigen iedereen aan om Belgische muziek te ondersteunen. Dat kan door concerttickets, merchandise of platen te kopen, Belgische nummers te streamen, mee te doen aan acties tijdens de Week én online flink wat liefde voor Belgische muziek te tonen met de hashtag #weekvandebelgischemuziek.

Even voorstellen - Father John Misty, new single “The Old Law”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa9l0cMEOeM

LIVE Wed. Jun.10 - Antwerp, BE - OLT Rivierenhof

Now January 9th, 2026, Father John Misty's “The Old Law” is a new single available on all digital streaming services worldwide from Sub Pop. The song was produced by Drew Erickson and Josh Tillman, mixed by Michael Harris and Jonathan Wilson at Fivestar Studios in Los Angeles, and mastered by Adam Amyan at Ayan Mastering. “The Old Law” is previously known to Father John Misty fans as “God’s Trash” and debuted as part of the live set in the fall of 2024.
A little over a year later, “The Old Law” single follows the release of Mahashmashana, Father John Misty’s sixth long player in twelve years, released in November 2024.
The Western US leg of Father John Misty’s previously announced international headlining and festival tour dates in support of Mahashmashana kick off Monday, March 23rd in Ventura, CA at the Majestic Ventura Theater and run through Sunday, May 17th in Pomona, CA at The Fox Theater. 
Along this run, Father John Misty has scheduled two-night stands at the historic The Castro Theatre in San Francisco (March 24th+25th), and at The Paramount Theatre in Seattle (Apr. 3rd+4th). He will also headline at Boise’s Treefort Festival (Mar. 29th).
Father John Misty’s UK & EU run will start on Monday, June 1st in Lisbon, PT at Sagres Campo Pequeno and end on Sunday, June 14th in Wicklow, IE with a headlining set at Beyond The Pale Festival. Highlights for this run include appearances at Primavera Festival in Barcelona, ES (Jun. 4th), and Northside Festival in Aarhus, DK (Jun. 6th) and Father John Misty’s first headlining shows in Portugal in eight years.

Variety says of his July 2025 headlining performance at The Greek Theatre, “He’s one of contemporary music’s greatest lyricists and one of our loveliest melodists (a good combo, when you can find it, by the way), so there’s usually some kind of euphoric effect even in distemper or dystopia. His wish is our command when it comes to actually enjoying stuff that sounds more challenging on paper, or even on vinyl, than it does in the flesh.”

Sub Pop To Release sunn O)))’s Self-Titled New Album Worldwide On Friday, April 3rd, 2026

Hear Album Closer “Glory Black”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXQbGvofeo

On Friday, April 3rd, 2026, sunn O))) will release their eponymously titled first full-length album for Sub Pop.

sunn O))) was co-produced & mixed by the band and Brad Wood (Hum, Tar, Sunny Day Real Estate, Liz Phair), and was recorded at Bear Creek Studios in Woodinville, Washington, January 2025. You can now listen to the album’s closing track, “Glory Black.”

Framing the album visually are two paintings by the late American artist Mark Rothko - one on the front cover and one on the back cover, with the art reversed for UK & European pressings. The CD and LP package also includes expansive liner notes by author Robert Macfarlane, whose 2025 novel Is a River Alive? is among the many sources of inspiration for the album. Illustrations by the French artist Elodie Lesourd are also featured on the inner LP sleeves and accompanying album merch.

More on sunn O))):
For nearly 30 years, sunn O))) – Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson – have pushed the boundaries of heavy music, straddling the worlds of the avant-garde and rock to forge a style instantly recognisable as their own. Now, sunn O))) return with their first album of new material since 2019’s acclaimed Pyroclasts. Their tenth album – their debut for Sub Pop – demonstrates the duo’s mastery of time and space, light and dark, and their willingness to evolve their unmistakable sound into bold new forms.

The eponymously titled sunn O))) was tracked at Bear Creek Studios, Woodinville, Washington with Brad Wood. This location proved crucial to the recording process. “The vast tracking room had big windows looking out on trees,” says O’Malley. “We could go hiking and be out in the woods, spend time outdoors. That became a big part of it.”

sunn O))) have long welcomed collaborators into their self-contained world: past work has featured, Attila Csihar (Mayhem), composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, multi-instrumentalist Steve Moore, polymath Mark Deutrom, Silkworm’s Tim Midyett and legendary singer-songwriter Scott Walker. But on this album O’Malley and Anderson found fresh possibilities in the primal territory of the duo format, performing all the instrumentation themselves. “What’s been happening with our performances over the last couple years with the two of us and no other collaborators has been really fresh and exciting,” says Anderson.

The compositions on sunn O))) are expansive and panoramic yet finely detailed, reflecting the arboreal setting in which they were recorded. Amidst howling feedback and glacial crunch, one finds surprisingly delicate moments: a field recording of water trickles beneath, piano interludes lend a hushed, solemn feel. All while the duo attains fresh heights of telepathic intensity as they shape music that breathes the bracing, earthy air of the Pacific Northwest.

Framing the album visually are two paintings by the late American artist Mark Rothko. Liner notes are by award-winning British writer Robert Macfarlane, famed for his works concerning landscape and the relationship between humanity and nature. Through the work of the band, Macfarlane, and Rothko, sound, word and visual combine into a fully immersive experience that is undeniably, completely sunn O))) (read full bio at Sub Pop).

sunn O)))
S/T
Tracklisting:

1. XXANN
2. Does Anyone Hear Like Venom?
3. Butch’s Guns

4 Mindrolling

5. Everett Moses
6. Glory Black

Even voorstellen – The Sophs Announce Debut Album ‘Goldstar’

13/03 (rough trade records/konkurrent)
“goldstar” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEqD9L63I1I
April 25 - Brussels, BE – Botanique

Los Angeles six-piece The Sophs have ridden a wave of notoriety ever since signing to Rough Trade Records on the strength of their demos - which they cold-emailed to labelheads Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee before they ever even played a show. Following last year’s releases of stand-alone singles  ‘I’M YOUR FIEND’, ‘SWEAT’, and ‘DEATH IN THE FAMILY’ and worldwide touring, the band are ready to unleash their debut album GOLDSTAR, out March 13, 2026.

The album’s title track is out, a ferocious, explosive song with distinctly Latin backing sonics. It is accompanied by a video shot and directed by collaborator Eric Daniels. The Sophs’ frontman Ethan Ramon explains ‘GOLDSTAR is the worst person you know yelling at God to give them a sign that they are good. In a deliberately unserious way, we want the song to prompt the same question that the album raises, which is - if you are a good person for the wrong reasons, does that detract from your goodness?”
The Sophs will tour extensively throughout 2026, all announced tour dates can be seen below and tickets for all headline shows are on-sale now. In addition to headline shows throughout the US, UK and Europe, this includes a summer packed with festival bookings including SXSW, Bandland Festival, Code Orange Festival, Primavera Sound Festival Barcelona and Porto, Bergenfest, OpenAir St. Gallen, Roskilde Festival, Eurockéennes Festival, Pohoda Festival and Treefort.

Degenerate posturing. The Sophs’ frontman Ethan Ramon  knows what he’s singing is wrong — but how else do you get those impulses out? “Sometimes it's important to write from the perspective of the worst part of yourself so that version of yourself can live through the music rather than exist in your day-to-day life,” Ramon says.

It’s not him, but it’s not not him. And he’s going to places most people wouldn’t dare.

The band’s brutal honesty, flamingly intrusive thoughts, and broad genre-spreading caught the attention of Rough Trade founders Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee immediately. When Ramon  sent a demo reel out to his favorite indies, he wasn’t expecting any replies. But Travis and Lee were in his inbox the next day, asking if he’d hop on a call.

Rough Trade heard the sort of creativity and variety — and “don’t expect me to act pretty” sentiment — that could get The Sophs — including Ramon, Sam Yuh (keyboards), Austin Parker Jones (electric guitar), Seth Smades (acoustic guitar), Devin Russ (drums), and Cole Bobbitt (bass) — a slot on nearly any stage. At any moment, The Sophs are entering pop-punk; blazing through funk; talk-singing to the audience. Their enthusiasm for every iteration is evident, and Ramon’s rich, full voice deftly nestles into endless categories, utterly chameleonic.

“We never try to be as versatile as we end up being,” Ramon said. GOLDSTAR has a Delta Blues-style song; it has a ZZ Top-inspired tune. To some degree, The Sophs see song creation like pop art: they’re focused on the idea of reproducing something over and over again until it's meaningless. “I want to steal and plagiarize and borrow,” Ramon explains.

The record asks, where’s my gold star? Where’s my validation? Why am I not being rewarded for how much of a good person I am? Am I doing mitzvahs for the right reason? The titular track — which kicks off with flamenco-style fingerpicking — wrestles with the philosophy of really being good and what that looks like.

Most of The Sophs’ songs don’t let the listener relax — mostly because you never know what’s coming next. The band has a passion for sudden and complete destruction, for playing with the tension between pulled-back silence and total explosion. That’s where you hear The Sophs members’ as they really are: explosively positive, happy, collaborative. Think of the “degenerative posturing” instead as a “jester’s privilege.” When they’re playing together in a room, you see nothing like the character they’re putting forward. Instead, you feel a bombastic, thrilling energy that underlies the sextet’s creative power.

GOLDSTAR Track Listing

01) THE DOG DIES IN THE END

02) GOLDSTAR

03) BLITZED AGAIN

04) SWEAT

05) HOUSE

06) SWEETIEPIE

07) DEATH IN THE FAMILY

08) A SYMPATHETIC PERSON

09) They Told Me Jump, I Said How High

10) I’M YOUR FIEND

Sdban records news - Adja releases extended version of 'Happiness and Butterflies'

Release: January 9, 2026
Adja - Happiness and Butterflies [Oyster Version]

Happiness and Butterflies, in both its original form and the extended Oyster Version, is Adja's inventive and playful twist on D'Angelo's Devil's Pie. With the same eerie-funky sense of surrendering to a volatile future, she reflects on the pressures of late-stage capitalism and her own desire to remain in denial, offering a sharp critique not only of herself but also the system she is trying to succeed in.

Rooted in the introspective 90s neo-soul that has long inspired her, the track is carried throughout by irresistible grooves and rich, textured instrumentation. The Oyster Version builds on this foundation, embracing Adja's love for stripped-back jazz and expanding the song into a broader, more hopeful, though never naïve, perspective. This version positions Adja as an artist who effortlessly blends genres without compromising on intensity or nuance.

Happiness and Butterflies [Oyster Version] is out today on all major streaming platforms. Adja will perform at ESNS in Groningen, NL on January 16.

Upcoming live shows

16/01/2026 - ESNS - Nieuwe Kerk, Groningen (NL)

16/01/2026 - ESNS - Bagels & Beans, Groningen (NL)

31/01/2026 - Botown, Antwerp (BE)

06/03/2026 - Jazz Café, London (UK)

11/03/2026 - Paribu, Istanbul (TR)

13/03/2026 - River Jazz - Senghor, Brussels (BE)

23/04/2026 - Kaunas Jazz, Kaunas (LT)

05/06/2026 - Lovebird Festival, Düsseldorf (DE)

ADJA
Adja is a Brussels-based singer, composer and theater maker whose work blends intimate storytelling with a soulful, genre-fluid sound rooted in jazz, R&B, soul and gospel. With a warm, earthy voice and a sharp sense of humor, she turns everyday experiences into emotionally resonant songs that feel both grounded and transcendent.

Inspired by artists like D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Joni Mitchell, Adja crafts a rich, organic sound that is delicate when needed, yet deeply expressive. She won Belgium's Sound Track competition in 2022 and released her acclaimed debut EP IRONEYE via Sdban Ultra, garnering international praise and over 3 million Spotify streams.

In 2024, she was selected for IMPALA's 100 Artists to Watch (in partnership with YouTube) and performed at the Belgian Royal Palace. Her 2025 debut album Golden Retrieve Her, recorded with renowned UK soul producer Adam Scrimshire, marks a major step forward, alongside a guest appearance on BBC Radio 2 (Jamie Cullum), a Spotify EQUAL ambassadorship, and extensive touring across Europe. In 2026, Adja will perform at ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) and the Jazz Café, London.