shout out

Discover Belgian Power Pop Outfit DEXELLE

Posted on by JL

22 September 2025

Let me introduce you to emotive Belgian power pop outfit DEXELLE,
led by seasoned singer-songwriter-guitarist Nicolas D’Exelle.

During the awful corona crisis, he started to write new songs which materialized
later on in 2 EPs, Tired Mind (2022) and Is This What You Want? (2025).

Put those 2 together and you’ll have yourself a magnific album, stuffed with classy songwriting quality. Think 80s Britpop bands Scritti Politti and Prefab Sprout whose glittery pop splendor which buoyed up the UK indie scene in the mid-80s.

D’Exelle cherishes his craft with love and dedication. He designs titillating tunes that charm and enthrall with their richly orchestrated synth/guitar layers, as well as their mesmerizing melodiousness. His expressive, crystalline voice shines in the middle and completes the sonic picture with sultry style and feverish flair.

Stream/check this year’s EP and its
wonderful single Nobody Knows below.

IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?


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To be honest, I had never heard of the band until last Saturday when my partner in music blog crime from renowned Belgian top blog Luminous Dash invited me to one of their club gigs. Count me in as a fan now. Their swirling set was a captivating affair, with all amps up, decibels up, and the temperature up.

Live, they rock more than they pop. D’Exelle‘s flamboyant stage presence, vivid
vocality and electrifying guitar play, now and then, upfront is the aural and visual attraction of the night. Mind you, he is backed by a solid, well-oiled 5-piece to translate
his work from record to podium with a lot of dash and panache. Trust me, we’ll hear
more excellent stuff from this Antwerp team in the future.

Instagram – Linktree

Photos by Turn Up The Volume

BILLY BRAGG Shares New Song In Support Of The Palestinian Catastrophe – Hear ‘HUNDRED YEAR HUNGER’

Posted on by JL

5 September 2025

68-year-old British singer-songwriter BILLY BRAGG has always been and
is still politically active, criticizing all sorts of social injustices. He incorporated
his visions in his music frequently and still does after 40 years into his career.

He has a new song out, named HUNDRED YEAR HUNGER
in support of the Palestinian catastrophe.

Bragg: “‘Hundred Year Hunger’ looks at the current famine that Israel has created
in Gaza through the lens of a century of enforced food insecurity and malnutrition
imposed on the Palestinian people, firstly by British imperialism, then as a weapon
of mass displacement by the state of Israel.”

Instagram – Spotify

FAN-TASTIC

Posted on by JL

During OASIS‘ reunion concerts there’s an
interpreter signing for hearing-impaired fans.

This one is simultaneously, dancing enthusiastically, even nodding
to Liam’s trademark swagger as she signed to ‘Morning Glory’.

FAN-TASTIC

PEUK – One Of The Best Belgian Indie Bands Of The Past 10 Years

Posted on by JL

Spotlight on stellar indie artists/bands

6 December 2024


📸: emvlstudio

When TUTV looks back at 10 years of Belgian indie music, PEUK
is one of the very best acts that impressed our ears and eyes.

Why?

Peuk is a blusterous in-your-face turbo led by screamager and expressive
songwriter Nele whose vocal range goes as high as the Eiffel Tower. She’s
assisted by a heist-igniting bassist and a drummer with four arms.

An explosive engine combining all the mad rage, blazing gusto and reality
anxiety of Hole, Nirvana and Sonic Youth. All in one! They produce a melodic
trash and slash hullabaloo that sends shivers rolling down your spine. Get
the sonic picture? Awesome, right? You betcha.

So far they released two remarkable albums.

PEUK (2019)


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ESCAPE SOMEHOW (2023).


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On stage, the riff-roaring trio is as imposing as on record, as they proved for
the umpteenth time last Monday when they played the legendary Paradiso
club in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I lost count of how often I saw/heard
them generate a powerhouse energy that blows your mind.

European tour promoters should pay attention and give Peuk the opportunity
to show their immense potential outside Belgium and The Netherlands. They
deserve it ’cause they’re totally worth it. Helter-skelter.

Paradiso, Amsterdam

Setlist

PEUK: Instagram – Facebook – Bandcamp

(Live photos, Paradiso, A’dam by Turn Up The Volume)

ILA – Belgian Songstress Impresses With Her Stunning Debut LP And Electrifying Concerts

Posted on by JL

Spotlight on stand-out indie artists

16 November 2024

Band: ILA
Who: Vigorous Belgian rock quartet led by formidable singer-songwriter/guitarist,
with Turkish roots, Ilayda Cicek who’s blessed with a unique voice and shares
unadulterated emotions, sonically and lyrically.

I remember seeing Ilayda Cicek for the first time as a solo artist, about seven years ago.
She looked shy and vulnerable but her set of intimate musings in a small club was one not to forget. She impressed my ears with her soul-stirring voice and subtle acoustic guitar play. Her vocal tone, timbre, and range caused goosebumps.

A couple of years later, she started to turn up the decibels with the help of a full rock band and drew the attention of new fans and also the press. Her debut 7-track debut EP Felt showed us her high-quality songwriting skills.

‘You Leave Me Dry’.
In a normal world (does that exist?) this
striking stroke should be a global hit.

I suppose Ilayda will be tired by now of being compared with PJ Harvey all the time,
but that is how imposing, how compelling, and how special she is. Her vocal fervency, profound passion, and emotive energy cause a sort of trance-like experience.

Last Thursday she played in the city of Ghent, billed as the official release show
of her first longplayer, titled ANYA. Without a shadow of a doubt, the best debut
of 2024 on my list. No fillers, all killers. Heartfelt ardency in motion.

One of the LP’s highlights.

Again (I saw her about 20 times) she confirmed the top level she has reached by
now, on record and on stage. Her rousing voice filled the cozy venue, her presence
was magnetic and her band has become a top turbo. It was another 5-star performance. Hail hail!


Album artwork

ILA is for real, ILA is authentic,
ILA is here to entertain us for
a very long time (I hope).

– ANYA –

ILA: Facebook – Spotify

(Live photos by Turn Up The Volume)

ULTRA SUNN – Belgian Entrancing Coldwave Duo Impress Internationally With A Warm Sound Of Big Melodic Booms And Blasting Beats

Posted on by JL

Attention! Attention! Attention!

15 August 2024

Turn Up The Volume championed Brussels striking duo ULTRA SUNN from the start of their blitzkrieg career, six years ago. The tandem – Sam Huge and Gaelle Souflet – operate in the darkwave/coldwave galaxy as we know it, but they sound rather warm and fully uplifting. Music that increases your adrenalin production, music that activates all of your limbs, music that makes you feel alive and kicking.

Now, after 3 excellent EPs, they finally released their long-awaited debut album, titled US. A record propelled by entranced synths, Huge‘s zealous vocals, and a stream of impactful tunes.

STREAM/BUY US


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After gaining lots of fans, quite quickly, in several European countries,
they flew for the first time to America this past Spring for a dozen of
concerts. They obviously made a notable impression, as the US(A)
wants them already back.

Fortunately, I could see them perform at one of their rare Belgian shows, last week
at an open-air festival in the city of Lokeren in front of an exultant crowd. Huge/Souflett bewitched us all with a non-stop salvo of boosting booms and banging beats empowered by ultra cacthy tunes, creating a titillating trance-like atmosphere which pleasured my mind and ears for a couple of days afterward.

Vive US!

US: Linktree

(Photos by Turn Up The Volume)

Record Label SKA PUNK INTERNATIONAL Present ‘SONGS FOR MOMS’ And ‘DADS’ With All Proceeds For The PREVENT CANCER FOUNDATION

Posted on by JL

21 June 2024

SKA PUNK INTERNATIONAL is a Dallas-based record label that
is focused on highlighting ska and punk from around the globe.

They have two charity compilations out. One to remember all MOMS (second
one in 2 years) and the first one for the DADS, that all have been lost to cancer.

The 2 compilations feature covers of famous songs by mega stars such as country queen Dolly Parton, the late King Of Pop Michael Jackson, songsmith luminary Bob Dylan, surf heroes Beach Boys, rock icon Neil Young, compelling songstress Tracy Chapman, pop giants Blondie and former tandem Steely Dan.

It’s really big fun to hear how all those legendary songs sound when
they get the ska-punk treatment by an extensive cast of exciting artists.

All proceeds from these 2 collections go to the
international PREVENT CANCER FOUNDATION.
Listen to both below.

BUY (name your price) them HERE and HERE.

SONGS FOR MOMS


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SONGS FOR DADS


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SPI: Website