Returning to Brussels – MOST AMBITIOUS NIGHT TO DATE

“… according to BBC SPOT ON DENMARK features one of the world’s most uniquely minded bands, according to Pitchfork they’re astonishing and according to the Independent they’re wholly mesmerizing…. Namely Efterklang…”

Its been a year since the last sold-out edition of SPOT ON DENMARK in Brussels. Since then the mini-festival has visited sold-out stages in Wien and at the acclaimed international fe…stivals Montreux Jazz Festival (CH) and Reeperbahn Festival (DE). On the 24th of November SPOT ON DENMARK is back in Brussels for the 4th year in a row. AB thus opens its doors to 4 exciting new Danish bands, which yet again gives Belgian fans of Scandinavian music the unique chance to discover the hottest new art pop, noise rock, folk and rock bands from Denmark. Due to an increasing fan demand the mini-festival is growing and moving from the intimate setting of the AB Club to the AB Box. Moreover the stunning and internationally acclaimed band Efterklang will be headlining the night.

As always the 4 bands were selected at the SPOT Festival in Denmark amongst more than 100 candidates by a jury consisting of 11 Belgian journalists, programmers and managers. The SPOT Festival has over the course of 16 years developed into being the key gateway to Scandinavian music and today attracts 5000 Fans and 1200 music pros and journalists from all over the world on an annual basis. This 2010 feature by ARTE TV gives you a good impression of what the SPOT Festival is all about: http://www.arte.tv/fr/content/tv/02__Universes/U2__Echapp_C3_A9es__culturelles/02-Magazines/12_20Tracks/01_20Cette_20Semaine_20-_20Diese_20Woche/edition-2010.09.28/ART_20_2020100930_20d_C3_A4nemark/3438900.html

This years Belgian SPOT Festival highights aka the SPOT ON DENMARK @ AB line-up consists of:

CHIMES & BELLS (http://www.myspace.com/chimesandbells) is the brainchild of 26-year-old singer/cellist/multi-instrumentalist Cæcilie Trier. Cæcillie has already attracted international attention via her other band Choir of Young Believers. Chimes & Bells sway between noise rock, art pop, shoegazer and r&b. Their cv boasts opening for Beach House and releasing an EP on the famous UK label Bella Union.

CODY (http://www.myspace.com/codysongs) can best be described as folky alternative country and is based around singer Kaspar Kaae. The septet has attracted significant international attention and played at acclaimed festivals such as Montreux Jazz Festival & Roskilde Festival and opened for The National, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and Tindersticks. In 2009, Cody’s debut album ‘Songs’ was voted album of the year by no less than 3 national Danish newspapers.

THE KISSAWAY TRAIL (http://www.myspace.com/thekissawaytrail) – NME claims that this band is nothing short of stunning. The Kissaway Trail sum up their greatest influences as Sonic Youth, Grandaddy, Daniel Johnston, Pixies and The Beach Boys. Their latest album ‘Sleep Mountain’ was produced by Peter Katis (Interpol, The National) and released by the prestigious Bella Union label. Having toured all over Europe, alone and with the likes of the Editors, these lads are ready to lay the world at their feet.

EFTERKLANG (http://www.myspace.com/efterklang) are signed to the legendary label 4AD alongside the likes of Bon Iver and Beirut, Efterklang has already broken through on an international level. On top of this Efterklang is one of the most touring bands in the history of Danish music, having played several hundreds of shows all over the world from China to Brussels. The secret behind Efterklangs success is their unique, honest and beautiful music. Its difficult to describe what they do, but this attempt by the New York Times comes close: ”The band has a knack for gorgeous, slow-motion build-ups and sudden, shivery drop-offs; the music gleams and drips like an ice sculpture that never stops melting”.

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Belgian press quotes about the 4 bands

“… What the likes of ‘White Blood Cells’ were for The White Stripes and ‘Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust’ for Sigur Rós, that is what Magic Chairs could well be for Efterklang: the definitive breakthrough to the mainstream and The Broader Public…”
– KNACK review of the new Efterklang album ” Magic Chairs” –

“… a wonderfully beautiful album…”
– De Morgen review of the new Efterklang album ” Magic Chairs” –

”…Cody can be described in one word: Class…”
– KNACK article about the highlights of the SPOT Festival 2010” –

”… Cody’s debut album is brilliant…”
– DaMusic.be review of the new Cody album ”Songs” –

”…The Kissaway Trail’s new album has already been praised internationally and live it sounds even more impressive…”
– KNACK article about the highlights of the SPOT Festival 2010” –

”…Half a century after the death of Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish city of Odense has given birth to a new cultural pearl who answers to the name of The Kissaway Trail. Sleep Mountain is a contemporary fairy tale…”
– DaMusic.be review of the new The Kissaway Trail album ”Sleep Mountain” –

”… Its certain that you will hear more about this band in the future …”
– Chimes & Bells was Knacks highlight of the SPOT Festival 2010” –

”… Another one of our highlights this band sounds like the winter”
– Chimes & Bells praise by Goddeau.com in their SPOT Festival 2010 review”