PAARD VAN STAL

This Brazilian singer songwriter takes the rich cultural influences of his homeland into very much his own modern style. Compelling melodies, lyrics about the colourful and connecting cultures of the world. In 2023, he released his ninth album called “Curyman”. Produced by Tommy Brenneck (Beyoncé, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga). String arrangements by none other than Arthur Verocai made DJ Gilles Petterson call the record a “modern Brazilian masterpiece”. On Curyman, to Rogê’s ecstatic acoustic guitar, you can also hear the distinct bass work of Chester Hansen (BADBADNOTGOOD). The show during Horse of Stable will be dedicated to this wonderful album by Grammy-nominated Rogê.

Joined by regular Arp partners Marissa Nyamekye, Marilonah Copra and many others on stage, the funk circus named Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers turns halls upside down.

Arp Frique channels the love of organic, funk with obscure synths, bouncing bass lines and guitars with mug, into a new prototype. best described as a cross between P-funk and gospel disco.

Humble the Great is a quirky artist who makes soulful R&B with humour and honesty, without cloaking himself behind a persona. Started out as an actor, but grew into a producer and musician during the pandemic. His music is raw, personal and born from complete creative control, with influences from Anderson .Paak and Dijon. With a sold-out headline show, big-name support and new music moving towards indie-folk, he is fast becoming a unique British talent. This is just the beginning!

2025 is the year of Hiqpy. This very talented band is making gigantic growth in a short time. In late 2024, the Volkskant named them the pop talent of 2025, at Eurosonic Noorderslag they have been topping all the lists for two years and this summer is also one to write home about for the band. They describe their music themselves as “What if Kurt Cobain and Ariande Grande had a Pokémon”. This perfectly describes their nostalgic, compelling but also catchy and sometimes melancholic sound. If you are a fan of Wolf Alice or Smashing Pumpkins, this is a must-see. If you are not a fan of those, you should actually be there too.

It is no secret that indie is back in the clubs. As a figurehead of the indie sleaze revival, Parker Fans is sailing ahead in the Netherlands. Strong basslines, driving drum samples and synths are combined with infectious dance moves and uplifting vocals. This Amsterdam trio was the big talent of the Popronde last year, filling up the Paardcafe just a little too full. In addition, the band had impressive performances at Best Kept Secret, Left of the Dial, Sniester and Into The Great Wide Open. To these they may add Horse of Stable this year. Perfect for fans of Salmari, Peaches, Tumblr, The Dare and Skatecafe.

In 1966, at Simon Vinkenoog’s invitation, handfuls of poets gathered at Carré. Their meal: half a chicken and a joint. These poets, including a debutant Jules Deelder, Johnny the Selfkicker and Vinkenoog himself performed to a steaming, jubilant and stiffly sold-out Carré. Jos Nargy and Joep Hendrikx wonder why such an evening seems almost unthinkable nowadays. They think poetry deserves better; and they founded the Poezieboys.

The Poezieboys, Jos and Joep, created a furore with various performances at theatre festival de Parade and in theatres. They also organised poetry evenings with young (living!) poets and founded the Poeziebar. Together with a musician, they perform the best poetry of the moment, inspired by that one legendary evening in Carré. And of course with the goal: sold-out, steaming and cheering halls for poetry! Because the world could use some Rock & Roll & Poetry again.

Also this year, Capiche Collectiv will be behind the turntables in the foyer. This collective is known as lovers of grooves from all over the world. Milo Van Buijtene of Draaimolen festival already mentioned the collective in VPRO 3voor12’s article as one of the DJ talents for 2025. So were they with a closing slot at The Crave. Only downside: soon no one will want to leave the foyer.

Y.O.P.E. is the musical experiment of bassist Joop de Graaf. Joop is also known for his work with Brintex Collective, Imaginarium, Diana Dzhabbar Quartet and Dandana, among others. Previously, Y.O.P.E. was at the opening of GR8 where he blew us over with a refreshing breeze of jazz, funk, danceable beats and club music.

The four band members love nothing more than cramming all the music styles they enjoy into a powerful set full of energy, tasty licks, and tight grooves. If you really had to slap a label on it, you’d call it funk ‘n’ roll. If that, along with their influences from bands like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Vulfpeck, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Radiohead, doesn’t tell you enough, then you’ll just have to come and listen for yourself. Get ready for a blast of speed that’ll shake the walls of Het Paardcafé.

Disco deserves another decade, Disco Tropicana is convinced of that. That is why they bring a fresh mix of the best of the past and the tastiest of the present. No golden oldies, but delicious disco house, funky house & house classics. Expect the best nu disco, pumpin’ funky house, glittering disco house and disco-inspired songs during a cosy evening where the funky tracks fly around your ears. From Purple Disco Machine to Junior Jack, from Armand van Helden to The Shapeshifters, from Sophie Ellis Bextor to Mousse T, from Dimitri From Paris to Moloko. Recognisable, but certainly not standard!