Sounds of the underground

SOTU Noise Rock Program

This year we have several Noise Rock bands playing on the various days of SOTU Festival. All of them use a different approach to noise rock, which makes it a muse-go-see if you like your indie rock noisey. 

What to think about Friday at midnight in De Vondelbunker with Dutch band Mannheim. With their debut album "SUPER-EMPOWERED" released in 2013 the impressed a lot of people, including the underground press and blogosphere. And seeing them perform their furious math-rock for sure can only blow you away.

On Saturday we present the Dutch legendary The Julie Mittens, who have been around for quite some year. Since 2012 they play with guitarist Martin Luiten as replacement for Aart-Jan Schalkenbos. This led to a different sound, though, still they show a fierce live performance completely based on improvisation where they combine the best of free jazz and Japanese noise rock. Probably Dutch loudest improv band, not to be missed at the OCCII starting at 21:00.
After this you should run to De Vondelbunker, so you will be on time for Otolitos who will start at 22:30. This Berlin trio combine noisy rock motives with drone infused patterns. Going from extreme soft to mind blowing loud. Their album "August" shows that they do not hide for experiment, which isn't any different live. Guarantee to be surprised.

On Sunday we continue this program with three different bands at the OCCII. Already at 20:00, just after the afternoon program at Budapest has finished, we kick-off this night with Besoin Dead, once a duo but now the solo vehicle of Pascal Benvenuti. In his music he takes cues from grunge and psychedelic rock, which infuses with an amount of noisey sounds. If he was American he would be all over Pitchfork and Vice, though as Frenchman he seems to go unnoticed, but don't let that fool you, be amazed.

The four Swiss ladies from Massicot take it from a complete different direction. Armed with guitar, bass, drums and violin they grab back to post-punk and no-wave sounds which could easily be mixed up with The Raincoats and a roughed up version of The Slits. And to complete that picture The Ex isn't faraway either. Their album "Massicot" from last year is a direct recommendation if you like any of those, and live we can promise you the same.
Last on our noise rock bill is Usé, the solo project Nico from Headwar. This Frenchman plays his percussion, guitars and what's more all alone. And we can tell you for sure this is some impressive live performance. If this guy doesn't blow you away, we don't know what will.