Hailu Mergia and Pip Blom

Hailing from Amsterdam, indie rock band Pip Blom features Pip Blom, Tender Blom, and Darek Mercks. Known for catchy melodies and gritty guitars, they have toured globally, played major festivals like Glastonbury, and shared stages with acts like Franz Ferdinand. Their acclaimed third album, Bobbie, marked a shift into synth-pop and won a prestigious Edison Award for Best Alternative Album.

Ethiopian keyboardist/accordionist who led Addis Ababa’s Walias Band, blending funk, jazz & tradition; moved to Washington, DC; rediscovered via Awesome Tapes from Africa.