Media reports, which were confirmed by the authorities, revealed that on Sunday, March 3, four young individuals, three of whom are minors, were apprehended for plotting an attack on the Brussels-based concert venue Botanique as evidenced by their communications in which the four were looking for weapons. Upon receiving this news, Botanique’s team promptly sprang into action, implementing thorough monitoring protocols and maintaining continuous communication with law enforcement over the weekend.

The decision was made however to carry on with the scheduled events and concerts, adhering to prevailing safety norms. “Should further details emerge, comprehensive measures will be deployed to safeguard the well-being of attendees, performers, and employees”, so the venue communicated this evening.

Botanique underscores the fact that post-2015 and 2016 attacks, its security framework was significantly bolstered, introducing enhanced safety protocols at entry points and throughout the venue, a practice that has been consistently upheld and periodically assessed.

Meanwhile, other key Brussels concert venues remain vigilant yet have not introduced additional security enhancements to date. A spokesperson for Mayor Philippe Close (PS) of Brussels, who also presides over the ING Arena (previously Palace 12) through his chairmanship of Brussels Expo, confirmed the diligent surveillance of the situation by proficient police forces, noting no specific security enhancements have been requested. The City of Brussels also manages the Magdalene Hall and the Royal Circus.

In a related development, eight individuals were arrested in Brussels and Antwerp as part of an anti-terrorism operation. These arrests, which included raids in various municipalities, were due to the individuals’ apparent readiness to conduct a terrorist attack. Some of them were previously identified as radical Islamic extremists, with two under surveillance as potential risks. This operation is part of Belgium’s ongoing vigilance against terrorism, evidenced by several incidents this year.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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After a number of EPs and the mini-album “Kill your Idols”, the Belgian electro act Ultra Sunn presents its official full length debut album, “US”.

The band says this about their debut album: “The album is called ‘US’, like the initials of Ultra Sunn. In addition to being a reference to two bands that we love, VU (Velvet Underground) and AM (Arctic Monkeys), it reflects the more personal texts in this album – the bond between us (Gaelle and Sam) being stronger than ever, a new musician joining us on tour, and the bond that we have created with our audience / how the concerts are carried and experienced all together with strength and love. It’s our album, it’s yours, it’s about US.”

Based in Brussels, Belgium Ultra Sunn was formed in late 2019 by frontman Sam Huge and keyboardist/producer Gaelle Souflet. In 2023, they were joined on stage by keyboardist and percussionist Alexis Andrigo.

Check out the Video for “Shake your Demons” below.

Ultra Sunn 2024 tour dates

• 03.09.24 – BETHUNE (F) La Poche
• 03.29.24 – LONDON (UK) Moth Club
• 03.30.24 – BRIGHTON (UK) Alphabet
• 03.31.24 – SHEFFIELD (UK) Resistanz Festival
• 04.21.24 – MALTA (MT) Dark Malta Festival
• 04.25.24 – DENVER (CO) The Oriental Theater
• 04.26.24 – LOS ANGELES (CA) Catch One
• 04.27.24 – LAS VEGAS (NV) Sick New World Festival
• 05.02.24 – PHOENIX (AZ) Rebel Lounge
• 05.03.24 – SAN DIEGO (CA) The Kensington Club
• 05.04.24 – RIVERSIDE (CA) The Hideaway Cafe
• 05.07.24 – SAN FRANCISCO (CA) DNA Lounge
• 05.08.24 – SACRAMENTO (CA) Harlows
• 05.10.24 – PORTLAND (OR) Coffin Club
• 05.11.24 – SEATTLE (WA) Substation
• 05.12.24 – VANCOUVER (BC) Verboden Festival
• 05.30.24 – PARIS (F) Le Petit Bain
• 06.01.24 – BRUSSELS (B) Botanique Orangerie
• 06.06.24 – BERLIN (D)
• 06.07.24 – KRAKOW (PL) Klub Re
• 06.08.24 – WARSAW (PL) Hydrozagadka
• 06.09.24 – WROCLAW (PL) Liverpool
• 06.28.24 – KÖLN (D) Amphi Festival
• 08.08.24 – LOKEREN (B) Fonnefeesten
• 09.21.24 – LAUSANNE (CH) Les Docks

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Swans have shared a new track from their sixteenth studio album, “The Beggar”, due for release on Mute / Young God Records (N America) on 23 June 2023. “The Beggar” will be released on double vinyl in a brown chipboard sleeve (with a download card for accessing an additional 44 minutes of music, also included on the album’s CD version), as a double CD in a brown chipboard digi-pack, and digitally.

Listen to “Los Angeles: City of Death” below.

The band’s extensive touring for 2023 started last week and continues through spring and summer with UK dates in August, and North American dates in September. In addition, Swans have confirmed a string of new dates across Europe in October and November – full details below.

“The Beggar” was recorded and mixed at Candy Bomber Studio, Berlin, engineered by Ingo Krauss and mastered by Doug Henderson at Micro-Moose, Berlin. The album was written and produced by Michael Gira and features contributions from recent and former Swans, members of Angels of Light, as well as guest Swan Ben Frost.

Michael Gira adds: “After numerous pandemic-induced cancellations of tours for the previous Swans album leaving meaning, and an apparent bottomless pit of waiting, waiting, waiting, and the strange disorientation that came with this sudden but interminable forced isolation I decided it was time to write songs for a new Swans album and forget about everything else. They came relatively easily, always informed by the suspicion that these could be my last. When I finally was able to travel, songs in hand, to Berlin to work with my friends recording this record, the feeling was akin to the moment in The Wizard of Oz when the film changes from Black and White to Color. Now I’m feeling quite optimistic. My favourite color is pink. I hope you enjoy the album.”

Primary contributors to “The Beggar” were Michael Gita, Kristof Hahn, Larry Mullins, Dana Schechter, Christopher Pravdica, Phil Puleo and Ben Frost. Backing vocals are provided by Jennifer Gira, Lucy Kruger and Laura Carbone.

Swans, an experimental rock band from America, was established in 1982 by Michael Gira, a multi-talented artist serving as singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. This band is one of the rare survivors from the no wave scene of New York City, successfully transitioning into the subsequent decade. They are renowned for their dynamic musical style, shifting and exploring across various genres including noise rock, post-punk, industrial, and post-rock.

Swans live dates

• 25 May – Zilina SK, New Synagogue
• 26 May – Ljubljana SL, Kino Siska
• 27 May – Innsbruck, AT, Heart of Noise Festival, Treibhaus
• 29 May – Bologna IT, Teatro Duse
• 31 May – Lyon FR, Transbordeur
• 2 June – Barcelona ES, Primavera Sound Festival
• 4 June – Lisbon PT, Culturgest – SOLD OUT
• 5 June – Lisbon PT, Culturgest
• 6 June – Faro PT, Teatro Das Figuras
• 9 June – Madrid ES, Primavera Sound Festival
• 11 June – Athens GR, Vraxon Theatre
• 13 June – Thessaloniki GR, Moni Lazariston
• 15 June – Antwerp BE, Bourlaschouwburg – SOLD OUT
• 16 June – Utrecht NL, Hertz Theatre – SOLD OUT
• 11 Aug – Brighton UK, St George’s
• 12 Aug – Manchester UK, Albert Hall
• 15 Aug – Newcastle UK, Boiler Shop
• 16 Aug – Glasgow UK, St Luke’s
• 18 Aug – Bristol UK, Arc Tangent Festival
• 19 Aug – Leeds UK, Belgrave Music Hall – SOLD OUT
• 21 Aug – Dublin IE, The Academy
• 23 Aug – Norwich UK, Waterfront
• 24 Aug – London UK, Troxy
• 26 Aug – La Tour-De-Peilz CH, Nox Orae Festival
• 2 Sep – Dallas TX, Granada Theater
• 3 Sep – Austin TX, Paramount Theatre
• 7 Sep – Phoenix AZ, Crescent Ballroom
• 8 Sep – Los Angeles CA, Lodge Room
• 9 Sep – Los Angeles CA, Lodge Room
• 12 Sep – San Francisco CA, Great American Music Hall
• 13 Sep – San Francisco CA, Great American Music Hall
• 15 Sep – Portland OR, Revolution Hall
• 16 Sep – Seattle WA, The Crocodile Showroom
• 19 Sep – Omaha NE, Waiting Room Showroom
• 20 Sep – Minneapolis MN, Fine Line Music Cafe
• 21 Sep – Chicago IL, Cabaret Metro
• 23 Sep – Detroit MI, Magic Bag
• 24 Sep – Cleveland OH, Beachland Ballroom
• 26 Sep – Toronto ON, Phoenix Concert Theater
• 27 Sep – Montreal QC, Theatre National
• 29 Sep – Brooklyn NY, Music Hall of Williamsburg
• 30 Sep – Brooklyn NY, Music Hall of Williamsburg
• 16 Oct – Hamburg DE, Kampnagel – NEW DATE
• 17 Oct – Copenhagen DK, Vega Store – NEW DATE
• 19 Oct – Oslo NO, Blå Residency – NEW DATE
• 20 Oct – Oslo NO, Blå Residency – NEW DATE
• 22 Oct – Stockholm SE, Slaktkyrkan – NEW DATE
• 24 Oct – Helsinki FI, Tavastia – NEW DATE
• 25 Oct – Tallinn EE, HALL – NEW DATE
• 27 Oct – Riga LV, Mežaparks Great Bandstand – NEW DATE
• 28 Oct – Vilnius LI, St John’s Church – NEW DATE
• 31 Oct – Warsaw PL, Progresja – NEW DATE
• 1 Nov – Praha CZ, Divadlo Hybernia – NEW DATE
• 3 Nov – Wien AT, Arena Wien – NEW DATE
• 4 Nov – Budapest HU, Akvarium – NEW DATE
• 7 Nov – Belgrade RS, Dom Omladine – NEW DATE
• 8 Nov – Zagreb HR, Kino Sc – NEW DATE
• 10 Nov – Foligno IT, Auditorium San Domenico – NEW DATE
• 11 Nov – Milano IT, Conservatorio di Milano – NEW DATE
• 13 Nov – Paris FR, Élysée Montmartre – NEW DATE
• 14 Nov – Metz FR, Les Trinitaires – NEW DATE
• 16 Nov – Brussels BE, Botanique – NEW DATE
• 18 Nov – Bochum DE, Christuskirche – NEW DATE
• 19 Nov – Den Haag NL, Amare – NEW DATE
• 21 Nov – Berlin DE, Admiralspalast – NEW DATE

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Squarepusher aka UK artist Tom Jenkinson will return with a new album “Be Up A Hello” on the 31st of January via Warp Records. His new single, “Nervelevers,” is out now. A video has also been released and can be viewed below.

“Nervelevers” breakneck breakbeats recall classic moments from Squarepusher’s much-loved catalogue, which coupled with its blistering acid line also exemplifies the influence his formative years in the Essex rave scene had on the new LP.

For those who don’t know Squarepusher, a disgrace if you don’t, here’s some info. His music spans several genres, including drum and bass, IDM, jazz, and electroacoustic music and his recordings are typified by a combination of electronic sound sources, live instrumental playing, and digital signal processing. He is also the brother of Ceephax Acid Crew (Andrew Jenkinson).

Squarepusher on tour

You can see Squarepusher at work live as well:

• 31st Jan – CTM Festival, Berlin – Germany
• 14th March – Bangface Weekender, Southport – UK
• Thu 9th April – Royale, Boston – USA
• Sat 11th April – Brooklyn Steel, NYC – USA
• Tue 14th April – SAT, Montreal – Canada
• Wed 15th April – Danforth, Toronto – Canada
• Thu 16th April – St. Andrews, Detroit – USA
• Fri 17th April – Metro, Chicago – USA
• Sun 19th April – Bluebird Theater, Denver – USA
• Wed 22nd April – Neumos, Seattle – USA
• Thu 23rd April – Wonder Ballroom, Portland – USA
• Fri 24th April – The Midway, SF – USA
• Sat 25th April – 1720, LA – USA
• 1st May – LEV Festival, Gijon – Spain
• 8th May – Les Nuits Botanique, Brussels – Belgium
• 9th May – Melkweg, Amsterdam – Netherlands
• 13th May – Brudenell, Leeds – UK
• 14th May – Concorde2, Brighton – UK
• 15th May – Roundhouse, London – UK

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

After a 5 year hiatus Squarepusher will return with a the album “Be Up A Hello”, out on the 31st of January. Fans can enjoy a taster as the double-A side 12” Vortrack will be released on the 6th of December, featuring Squarepusher’s Fracture remix. Check the videos for both tracks below.

“Vortrack”

“Vortrack” (Fracture Remix)

With this new album, Tom Jenkinson (Squarepusher) has returned to using vintage analogue and digital hardware, the same equipment that first helped him develop his sound in the early ’90s.

The past few years Jenkinson has been stepping away from the Squarepusher moniker exploring new territory such as forming the band Shobaleader One to reinterpret an array of classic Squarepusher tracks. He also scored the music for a 1 hour ‘CBeebies’ show and made the album “All Night Chroma” which was a series of compositions recorded on the Royal Festival Hall organ.

Squarepusher live at work

You can see Squarepusher live at work in these countries and cities:

• 31st Jan – CTM Festival, Berlin – Germany
• 14th March – Bangface Weekender, Southport – UK
• Thu 9th April – Royale, Boston – USA
• Sat 11th April – Brooklyn Steel, NYC – USA
• Tue 14th April – SAT, Montreal – Canada
• Wed 15th April – Danforth, Toronto – Canada
• Thu 16th April – St. Andrews, Detroit – USA
• Fri 17th April – Metro, Chicago – USA
• Sun 19th April – Bluebird Theater, Denver – USA
• Wed 22nd April – Neumos, Seattle – USA
• Thu 23rd April – Wonder Ballroom, Portland – USA
• Fri 24th April – The Midway, SF – USA
• Sat 25th April – 1720, LA – USA
• 1st May – LEV Festival, Gijon – Spain
• 8th May – Les Nuits Botanique, Brussels – Belgium
• 9th May – Melkweg, Amsterdam – Netherlands
• 13th May – Brudenell, Leeds – UK
• 14th May – Concorde2, Brighton – UK
• 15th May – Roundhouse, London – UK

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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“Criminal” is the fourth studio album of The Soft Moon, containing 10 tracks, which is released on 2nd of February 2018 and can be ordered here.

Luis Vasquez (originally from Oakland but nowadays based in Berlin) is the multi-instrumentalist and singer behind this post-punk/darkwave project. The new album describes Luis going to war with himself through confession and finds him battling with shame, guilt, his own sanity, self-hatred, insecurity and self-entitlement. He reveals his feelings from his violent childhood which makes “Criminal” a self-reflective album, released to find relief for his own wrongdoings and for those done by others that have affected him.

Tracklist:
01. Burn
02. Choke
03. Give Something
04. Like a Father
05. The Pain
06. It Kills
07. ILL
08. Young
09. Born Into This
10. Criminal

Tourdates:
02 Feb 2018 One of a Million Festival – Baden, Switzerland
03 Feb 2018 C.S. Rivolta (record release party) – Marghera, Italy
06 Feb 2018 Pumpehuset – Copenhagen, Denmark
07 Feb 2018 Pustervik – Gothenburg, Sweden
08 Feb 2018 Slaktkyrkan – Stockholm, Sweden
09 Feb 2018 Bla – Oslo, Norway
10 Feb 2018 Grauzone festival – The Hague, Netherlands
11 Feb 2018 Urban Spree – Berlin, Germany *SOLD OUT*
12 Feb 2018 Urban Spree – Berlin, Germany *SOLD OUT*
13 Feb 2018 Urban Spree – Berlin, Germany *SOLD OUT*
14 Feb 2018 Le Trabendo – Paris, France
15 Feb 2018 Paradiso Noord, Tolhuistuin – Amsterdam, Netherlands
16 Feb 2018 The Dome & Boston Music Room – London, UK *SOLD OUT*
17 Feb 2018 Botanique – Orangerie – Brussels, Belgium *SOLD OUT*
18 Feb 2018 De Gudde Wellen – Luxembourg, Luxembourg *SOLD OUT*
20 Feb 2018 Amalgame Club – Yverdon-Les-Bains, Switzerland
21 Feb 2018 Magnolia – Milan, Italy
22 Feb 2018 Monk – Rome, Italy
23 Feb 2018 Lanificio 25 – Naples, Italy
24 Feb 2018 Covo Club – Bologna, Italy
07 Mar 2018 Feierwerk / Kranhalle – Munich, Germany
08 Mar 2018 UT Connewitz – Leipzig, Germany
09 Mar 2018 Hafenklang – Hamburg, Germany
10 Mar 2018 Gebaude 9 – Cologne, Germany
11 Mar 2018 Kleiner Klub – Saarbrucken, Germany
13 Mar 2018 Doornroosje – Nijmegen, Netherlands
14 Mar 2018 La Condition Publique – Roubaix, France
15 Mar 2018 Stereolux – Nantes, France
16 Mar 2018 L’Epicerie Moderne – Feyzin, France

27 Mar 2018 Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA, US
28 Mar 2018 Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY, US
29 Mar 2018 Théâtre Fairmount – Montreal, QC, Canada
30 Mar 2018 Longboat Hall at The Great Hall – Toronto, ON, Canada
31 Mar 2018 The Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL, US
02 Apr 2018 Turf Club – St. Paul, MN, US
04 Apr 2018 Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO, US
06 Apr 2018 Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR, US
07 Apr 2018 The Crocodile – Seattle, WA, US
08 Apr 2018 Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, BC, Canada
11 Apr 2018 The Independent – San Francisco, CA, US
13 Apr 2018 Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles, CA, US
14 Apr 2018 The Casbah – San Diego, CA, US
16 Apr 2018 The Bunkhouse Saloon – Las Vegas, NV, US
17 Apr 2018 Valley Bar – Phoenix, AZ, US
19 Apr 2018 Three Links – Dallas, TX, US
20 Apr 2018 Barracuda – Austin, TX, US
21 Apr 2018 Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX, US
22 Apr 2018 Gasa Gasa – New Orleans, LA, US
24 Apr 2018 The Wooly – Gainesville, FL, US
25 Apr 2018 Gramps – Miami, FL, US
26 Apr 2018 Crowbar – Ybor City, FL, US
27 Apr 2018 Aisle 5 – Atlanta, GA, US
28 Apr 2018 The Mothlight – Asheville, NC, US
29 Apr 2018 DC9 Nightclub – Washington, DC, US

The Botanique, the Ancient Belgique, Forest National, it’s just 3 of many many venues which have had to cancel all their concerts and that at least until November 29. We counted at least 27 concerts which have been canceled throughout Brussels, but we’re pretty sure there’s a lot more which we have missed.

All venues concerned are working on getting the concerts rescheduled.

The city of Brussels is at its highest security alert level until next week, amid warnings of a possible terrorist attack similar to the one in Paris that killed 130 people. The Brussels’ metro system and schools have reopened today, Wednesday, but the Belgian and European Union capital remains under partial shutdown, with many events and businesses continuing to shutter their doors.

The good news, we have shown the world that we have LOTS of cat humour (meet Chewie and Carlos, our Side-Line office buddies above) and we’re pretty sure that we will all be flocking back to our pubs and restaurants in Brussels in the very near future just like the people in Paris do.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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