The band surrounding Maarten Devoldere and Jinte Deprez managed to instantly settle itself in the upper regions of patriotic pop pride with ‘Applause’, the Balthazar debut released earlier...

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The band surrounding Maarten Devoldere and Jinte Deprez managed to instantly settle itself in the upper regions of patriotic pop pride with ‘Applause’, the Balthazar debut released earlier this year. The album was praised nationally and internationally: 'Marbled from top to toe with lingering, almost nonchalant song lyrics that rhyme remarkably well with the tight, minimalistic grooves that prop them up' (Humo). Moreover, singles like ‘Fifteen Floors’, ‘Hunger At The Door’ and the recent ‘I’ll Stay Here’ have done well on all radio stations. Venues like Depot Leuven and Vooruit Gent could fish out their sold-out signs this fall, after the band's whirlwind visit to an overheated Rock Werchter Marquee ('an insanely impressive concert’ - De Morgen) and all the other important summer festivals (Pukkelpop! Dour! Cactus! Lowlands!). In early 2011 Balthazar is going for the foreign fanbase, with their own tour but also as support-act to dEUS. On Sunday 24 April the band returns to Belgium and plays a concert in the Main Hall of the AB.

Balthazar's mature songwriting and explosive stage presence have been their most important characteristics from the start and so they won a whole series of talent searches with the audience prize at HUMO’s Rock Rally 2006 to top it all off. Their debut singles ‘This Is A Flirt’ and ‘Bathroom Lovin’ Situations’ also displayed the characteristics of a great band in the making. Were later taken under the wing of Raymond van het Groenewoud in Poppunt's ‘Raymond and his young heroes' and by Flip Kowlier for the Poulains on StuBru. Debut ‘Applause’ also met all expectations with ease.

Support act will be the Germans BEAT! BEAT! BEAT!. This foursome is currently conquering Europe with their adventurous pop. Thanks to debut ‘Lightmares’ they can put up 'sold out' signs at all the clubs in their homeland, and to that tour they now add this support act for Balthazar in the AB. Leading British music mag NME called them Germany's answer to Foals and gave away their single ‘Fireworks’ for free, as download ... here.