Iguana Death Cult, Naaz, Paceshifters, Pitou, Rosemary & Garlic.

The Netherlands has been chosen as the lead international partner for The Great Escape who will be working alongside the Dutch Music Export to highlight the country’s most prominent rising stars.

With Naaz and Pitou having already made an impact as part of the First Fifty events, Iguana Death Cult, Paceshifters and Rosemary & Garlic now join them on the lineup.  Having already built solid foundations in their home country these acts represent a variety of genres from alternative noise rock and garage to indie folk,  quirkpop and singer songwriters with beautiful vocal harmonies. There really is something for everyone and these acts are  ones to keep on your radar in 2018.

Pitou said: “With Holland being the lead country at The Great Escape 2018 it’s very exciting to have this opportunity which enables me to represent my home at this wonderful event by simply playing my music.”

The Dutch Music Export is a longstanding partner at The Great Escape festival, since year one the Dutch Impact party has been a highlight in the convention programme. For thirteen years Dutch artists have provided festival go-ers with many incredible and memorable performances from artists such as, Amber Arcades, Dope D.O.D, Jacco Gardner, Jameszoo and Klangstof,

Ruud Berends, Dutch Music Export Producer, commented: “Dutch Music Export is proud to be the Lead country at TGE 2018. Our country has supported and attended TGE from year one with both the Dutch Impact Party and through various promotional support for our artists and industry. The UK is one of the most important countries for us to present the best the Lowlands has to offer and The Great Escape provides the best platform to showcase, support and promote Dutch musical talent to not only the UK but international music industries and audiences.”

The Dutch Impact Party will take place on Friday 18th May 2018 at Komedia, 44-47 Gardner Street, Brighton. More info and set times coming soon.

Find out more about the bands below and if you’d like an interview or guestlist to the showcase please let us know.

About the artists

Iguana Death Cult
Rotterdam’s rousing Iguana Death Cult has claimed its own dominion inside the Dutch port’s concrete jungle. By bringing the best of Thee Oh Sees’ wild garage psych, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s crazy psych rock and The Black Lips’ southern garage together, this young quartet has revitalised the garage scene. Adding some surf sound, Iguana Death Cult mapped out their own route, one that has been full of wild parties, including their own festivals, and crowdsurfing kids. The foursome’s high-octane protopunk and acid-drenched psychedelics create havoc not unlike a ferocious horde of bees. They cemented their live reputation with debut album The First Stirrings Of Hideous Insect Life and now they back, bigger, bolder and rougher than ever.

Website:  http://iguanadeathcult.band/
Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3krOZK9c8q5QOdt9QSdEV8

Naaz
Naaz is an 19-year-old singer-songwriter and producer from Holland, who immediately captures your attention with her distinctive voice. Having a Kurdish background, it took Naaz quite some time and effort to convince her family to allow her to follow her passion. During that time, Naaz taught herself to write, produce and record her own music in her bedroom, so she could still be able to make music regardless of any circumstances. Her quirky, playful yet subtle productions go hand in hand with her melodic songwriting, resulting in a music genre which she herself has named ‘quirkpop’. Now with her family lovingly by her side, she wholeheartedly encourages other artists to do the same and never give up on their dreams. In 2017 she signed her first record deal with Universal Music, which quickly followed with her first official single ‘Words’. Her debut EP ‘Bits Of Naaz’ is expected to be released in 2018.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/pg/bitsofnaaz/about/?ref=page_internal
Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/736HGQRGr9rjG4VmmSpkz8

Paceshifters
Alternative/noiserock trio from the East of The Netherlands are a band that doesn’t care about lists, bank accounts or what is supposedly hip. Paceshifters resurrect the alternative rock of the 90s and add loads of live passion. The band is like a bolt of lightning for the current musical landscape, channelling an unbridled ambition and energy, and seeing them live is believing. Last album Waiting To Derail was recorded with producer Chris ‘Frenchie’ Smith (Datsuns, Dandy Warhols) in Austin, Texas, and now Paceshifters shown their worth at many European and just about every Dutch festival.

Website: http://www.paceshifters.com/
Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7maCRjdG5xFuQZ7AxINpAN

Pitou
The music of Amsterdam-born musician Pitou is characterized by her highly distinctive voice, special compositions and the use of vocal harmonies as an instrument in themselves. She draws inspiration from sources ranging from Bulgarian choir music to Sparklehorse and Joni Mitchell. Her highly anticipated self-titled debut record was released in 2016 on Scottish/Dutch label Mink Records and was greeted with national and international critical acclaim. In 2017 Pitou has played across The Netherlands, in Brussels, Glasgow and London, and she is confirmed for The Great Escape 2018, plus a new record is in the making.

Website: http://www.pitoumusic.com/
Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/27aUOc2h4pz72oZen497Va

Rosemary & Garlic
You might have heard Rosemary & Garlic while listening to your favourite Spotify playlists, like The Most Beautiful Songs in the World or Your Favourite Coffee House. The popularity of the DIY indie folk band has been rapidly growing since the release of The Kingfisher EP in 2015. The Dutch duo have gained worldwide attention with their beautiful and poetic songs, each of them filled with a great sense of beauty, nature and image.

Website: http://www.rosemaryandgarlic.com/
Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7MZvYitgCWAOaKjxdm2S17

More info on bands here: http://www.dutch-impact.nl/category/festivals/the-great-escape

This partnership is made possible by the coming together of Dutch Music Export, powered by Eurosonic Noorderslag, Dutch Performing Arts and Buma Cultuur, with the kind support by the embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands.

Contact:
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk