LISTEN FESTIVAL : MARINA HERLOP - LUCINDA CHUA

Since its inaugural edition in 2016, the Listen Festival has established itself as a must-attend event for electronic music enthusiasts in Brussels. The festival will take place in emblematic cultural and nightlife venues throughout Brussels, including here at the Botanique and the Church of Notre Dame de Laeken.

On March 26th, head to the Church of Notre Dame de Laeken, where you'll have the opportunity to attend a concert featuring Marina Herlop and Lucinda Chua in an exceptional setting.

MARINA HERLOP

Beyond her classical piano training, Marina Herlop has crafted a wondrous universe where polyphony and folkloric rhythmic cells rub shoulders with enchanting melodies. Her latest album, "Nekkuja," released in October 2023, is a diamond in the rough that deepens her vertiginous universe with sharper tones. Her voice, seemingly from a distant realm, expresses itself in an unknown language, shifting rhythm in a bewildering manner.

Inspired by both 20th-century avant-garde compositions and folk songs, Marina Herlop blends traditional techniques with the melancholic sound of the piano, creating a universe seemingly from another galaxy. Her delicate vocal lines, enhanced by subtle production effects, bring emotional intensity to this cathartic music.

LUCINDA CHUA

After two EPs, Lucinda Chua is back with "YIAN," her minimalist debut album. Through comfortingly gentle compositions, the cellist invites the listener to take part in a contemplative journey. Her voice, intertwined with intense silences and controlled breaths, weave together a sonic tapestry so sincere and intimate that it immerses us straight into an enchanted, introspective atmosphere.

Both the visual aesthetic and the album’s title deepen this intimacy, “YIAN” being the Chinese translation for "swallow", the nickname given to Lucinda by her parents to preserve a connection with her ancestral heritage. Like the migratory bird, the artist has traveled periodically between different regions, all of which have contributed to the creation of her mixed identity. Through her compositions, Lucinda Chua expresses that part of herself that she cannot describe in words.