If you came to UCR expecting Middelburg to have the wildest music scene and nightlife you might often be quite disappointed. But once in a while, this city proves you wrong and holds amazing festivals like N8vdN8, Stukafest, or Popronde. This Thursday the 10th of November Popronde is celebrating their 10th anniversary. Bars all over Middelburg will host a number of cool bands. Sadly there is never enough time to see all of them: planning is key to get the most out of your night, so keep reading if you want to know where to go at Popronde!
Middelburg’s pride PEER and Peter Slager from the Dutch band BLØF will be present at the official opening in De Vleeshal at 19:30. After the opening The Yukon Club will kick off, which gives them the responsibility to leave a great first impression on the audience. These four guys are slowly but surely taking over The Netherlands with their dark electronic pop; as a 3FM Serious Talent they are one of the most anticipated acts at Popronde. They use dark synths, dreamy vocals, and their songs can carry you away, especially with the echoey acoustics of de Vleeshal.
At 20:30 there’s Pitou in the Lange Jan abbey tower, by far the most special location of this edition. Maybe you were there for her performance at Stukafest last year or maybe you are new to Pitou’s folky acoustic sound, but it’s definitely an experience you do not want to miss. Here’s the catch: there are only 25 spots for this performance and you have to reserve a spot quickly. If you can’t make it to Pitou, Radio Eliza is a good alternative. If you decide to go to de Spot at 20:30 you are in for a set of happy and danceable pop songs. If you think pop music is way too bubble-gum you can take refuge in Bar American at 21:00. Standup ’69 are a rock trio from Rotterdam with a Yeah Yeah Yeahs meets Royal Blood sound. It’s not as extreme as you might expect from Bar American, but definitely worth a shot if you like ballsy front ladies and groovy guitars.
Kaffee ‘t Hof has hosted many legendary gigs. The Future’s Dust also have an amazing live reputation and they play at ‘t Hof at 21:30. If their ambient, electronic postrock isn’t your thing, you can enjoy the indie vibes of Electric Company in Schuttershof at 21:30. Their songs are just what you would want to listen to on an American road trip: indie-rock with a slight aftertaste of country.
45ACIDBABIES: a name that you are not likely to forget any time soon, especially after their performance in De Kloveniersdoelen at 22:00. The band describe themselves as rebelling toddlers that like to be foolish and their music fits the description: loud electro-funk without any limits. For more noise, but in the more traditional noiserock / ‘we learnt how to play in our old garage’ way, go to ‘t Hof at 22:45 to see BARTEK. If you like Ty Segall, Wavves and FIDLAR, you will most definitely love BARTEK.
The Grand East are a rock ‘n soul band from the grand east of the Netherlands. Hammond organs, soulful guitar solos and band members with long hair and very loose hips will rock the stage of Schuttershof at 23:00. A little psychedelic, a little bluesy and stuck in a different era: a total must-see at Popronde this year. You can end the night with the high energy Rilan & The Bombardiers in De Spot at 0:00 or stick around in one of the bars. Enjoy all that Middelburg has to offer you and have fun at Popronde!
For more information on and the entire program of Popronde Middelburg, you take a look at their website right here!
Joëlle Koorneef is a Literature & Antiquity Major from Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands.
