The new Showcase#Music season at Zebrastraat is kicking off with fresh energy. From a wave of submissions, 16 bands were handpicked by a professional jury to perform live at the Zebra Café every Thursday until year's end. With free concerts and an open-door policy, the series promises discovery, connection, and a glimpse into Belgium’s most exciting upcoming sounds. Here are five acts we can’t wait to see light up the stage.
Frans Kalf
Frans Kalf takes you into a world of poetic contradictions where cynicism meets joy. A blend of half Amsterdammer and half Gentenaar, this music is a playful yet introspective take on life's most vulnerable moments. Inspired by iconic figures like Maarten Van Roozendaal, Ramses Shaffy, Jacques Brel, and Serge Gainsbourg, Kalf brings their own distinctive twist to the mix. Their lyrics explore the awkwardness of human experience, from broken hearts to uproarious laughter, always with a surprising turn that leaves you wanting more.
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Gender Reveal Atomic Bomb
Explosive prog-punk rock, Gender Reveal Atomic Bomb (GRAB) has been making waves in Belgium since 2023. Led by the dynamic American-born siblings Beau and Blaise Ramsey, GRAB has gained attention for their high-octane, theatrical live shows. Joined by Woody Weiss (guitar) and Arwen de Wit (drums), the band blends riot grrrl, hip-hop, metal, and prog influences to create anthems for the alienated. Their performances are raw, energetic, and immersive—a chaotic yet cohesive display of sound and passion. With a bold approach to songwriting and live performance, GRAB is quickly becoming a must-see in our local alternative scene, delivering explosive and fearless prog-punk rock that demands to be heard.
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Helga Ameye
Helga Ameye is a Ghent-based artist whose music weaves a unique fusion of electronic and intimate dark pop, deeply influenced by her jazz background. With an innate ability to channel her quiet emotions, she crafts compositions that resonate with depth and vulnerability. Ameye’s music, often melancholic yet rich in sophistication, is brought to life by her exceptional band. Together, they create an intricate soundscape, blending elements of jazz, electronic, and atmospheric pop, drawing listeners into a world of reflective calm and emotional complexity.
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Galan Galan
Galan Galan is a five-piece band from Ghent and Brussels known for their poetic storytelling and adventurous soundscapes. Their name, inspired by an ancient Germanic word for singing, perfectly captures the band’s ethos of musical exploration, drawing from a wide array of influences. Founded by musicians who have diverse backgrounds in genres such as jazz, folk, and alternative rock, Galan Galan’s live shows have become a platform for raw, emotional expression. The band is exploring poetry, experimental sounds, and the themes of vulnerability and resilience. Their music evokes, blending introspective lyrics with expansive sonic textures to transport listeners on a journey of emotional discovery.
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WIJF
WIJF, a powerful quartet hailing from Ghent, delivers a dynamic mix of stoner rock, metal, and even hip-hop influences, with razor-sharp guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and basslines that hit hard. Frontwoman Marie's voice swings from ethereal to groovy, always with an edge that commands attention. Their debut single Hysterical has garnered praise from Belgium's music press and is featured in playlists like those of De Morgen and Luminous Dash. For anyone thinking hard rock isn't for them, WIJF is here to prove them wrong.
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<div class="editorial-banner"> <div class=“editorial-credits”> @zebrastraat<br/>!!Open Call for emerging Belgian bands!!<br>Want to perform at their Zebra Café and Zebrawoods?<br>Register for the next showcase!<br>Check their agenda on zebrastraat.be<br>header image by Grant Ramsey</div></div>
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