Those who don’t live close to the border could easily miss what’s happening on the other side of it. That’s why the double LP Dromen Zijn Vervlogen will be released on 6 June 2025, a collection of 24 Dutch-language tracks from the Flemish underground, recorded between 1980 and 1988. Together they show the development that the alternative music went through at the time of Belpop, with artists such as Aroma Di Amore, De Brassers and Pas De Deux, but also Mensen Blaffen, Vibø and Peter Praet. The compilation was put together by Niek Hilkmann, who previously worked on De Toekomst Laat Me Koud.

Dromen Zijn Vervlogen will be presented on the 5th of July by a select group of musicians who bring an ode to its music, time and atmosphere. It has become a contrary and danceable record, with tunes that regularly lap against the banks of popular Belgian music. The same musicians who denounce the insanity of existence with a clenched fist, can later confidently take a step towards the dance floor. Those who want to can read a strategy in this for how to cope with our current troubles.

De engelen van het vuur are a special formation that boldly perform the songs of Dromen Zijn Vervlogen in their own way. The group is led by the compiler of the compilation, Niek Hilkmann, assisted by none other than Arie van Vliet (Lewsberg), Dennis Vedder (Kwartet Niek Hilkmann), Miriam Hochberg (Sterk Water) and Mart Boumans (Personal Trainer). In addition, several guests will climb the stage, whether or not on invitation. When dreams have flown, you can party the night away with the angels.

burger service & Alex Deforce join forces to fill the immense gap in pop history. Drum computers, synthesizers, guitars and field recordings laid the foundation for a whole new joint oeuvre. Half-full glasses, the beginning of the century, bottleneckbarristas, matuvu company in three-seater armchairs in Brussels, Antwerp and far beyond that one border provided inspiration, and much-needed frustration. Welcome to the tip of the iceberg.

Citruks makes disruptive songs with an art pop, art rock feel. The dutch-sung songs carry influences from punk, awkwardness, electronica, and the smartlap. Emotion first, meaning second, with lyrics drawn from the streets, plus a bit of randomness and a bit of ease. Their first EP “Dier” was released in october 2024 on the Brussels based label Kontakt Group. The EP consists of four songs that thematically deal with the world between animals and humans. Live, Citruks is a two-piece electronic band, accompanied by Winnie Conradi (the Klittens).

Harde Smart is a Belgian DJ collective that throws Dutch-language music from the 60s, 70s and 80s into the fray. They stand for everything that this musical heritage is not immediately notorious for; refined breaks, genuine grooves and fat bass lines, with the occasional sharp talk in the form of a carefully selected one-liner. “The night is long and you are thirsty.”

Dromen Zijn Vervlogen | Sampler