Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium

Like no other band, Shearwater masters the art of combining serious rock and intimate piano ballads, as demonstrated on their new album, Rook. On top of that, the versatile voice of singer Jonathan Meiburg is on top form, going from frighteningly fierce to fragile falsetto. Meiburg, a member of Okkervil River until last year, is not only a musician, but also an ornithologist and punctuates his lyrics with beautiful wildlife imagery.

These folk rockers from Austin, Texas have already gained an indie following, but a mainstream breakthrough might be on the cards now that they’ll be supporting Coldplay on tour. Check them out for free in our Café while you still can!