Eurosonic is easily dividable into two parts. I mean, it’s even in the name: Eurosonic/Noorderslag. The first serves as a showcase festival highlighting European talent, the latter doing exactly the same but exclusively featuring Dutch bands and artists. As opposed to Eurosonic, Noorderslag only takes place in the venue of Oosterpoort, where you will stumble upon a wide variety of acts in all of its nooks and crannies. After my outburst on popular Dutch music last year, I’m ready to be surprised by what could be some of my favourite upcoming talents from the lowlands this year. Just like my approach for Eurosonic, I had made a very minimal schedule for Noorderslag featuring only 2 or 3 acts I really wanted to see. Therefore, I had some room to join my colleagues and see some artists I would usually never bother checking out, such as Dutch rapper Jonna Fraser who put up an alright show in the main hall. After paying a quick visit to Utrecht punks C’est Qui? who bored me with their very strong “been there, done that” kind of set, my first highlight came in the form of the Dutch version of black midi: Grote Geelstaart. A beautifully chaotic and incomprehensible set featuring 2 drummers, a blabbering vocalist and a quintet of talented musicians turning this sweaty room upside down. This band made it worth staying around for. After a brief and somewhat forgettable intermezzo at Fit, we ended the evening with something I’d never care for whatsoever: ska. One of my mates tipped Politie Warnsveld, a ska-punk group from Nijmegen. “What’s the worst that could happen?“, I asked myself as I walked into the room only to then have the best night ever. Ending a festival with a band like this is probably the best experience you could have. So much joy, laughter, fun, and genuinely high quality music in one go: it wouldn’t get any better than this. Politie Warnsveld has the full package featuring a tight-as-chips mix of ska, punk, and pop, with vocalist Joris van de Waterbeemd’s voice arguably being the most infectious of all. With their hilarious and clever lyrics, Politie Warnsveld managed to end this festival on a ridiculously high note and I’m sure they will tear off the roof of many venues to come this year. Be sure to check this band out if you get the chance. You won’t regret it.