The Last Mandrill

Hit the North prepares artists from Drenthe, Groningen, and Friesland for professional careers. The nine acts in total participate in multiple boot camps with a program tailored to their needs, several workshop days, excursions, and shows, culminating in a spectacular finale at ESNS. Among the acts from the 2026 lineup are The Last Mandrill and MOMSNAME, who will be making their debut tonight.

The Last Mandrill - EP release

The Last Mandrill is the sole remaining member of The Mandrills, once a sonic basement band from Groningen. He blends his alternative collage pop—which draws its origins from the melting pot of the ’90s and the here and now—into a futurophobic worldview in which nostalgia and despair clash with what is to come. Live, a mythical reality unfolds: siren-like vocals meet distorted chaos and unexpected sonic experiments, making every performance both intimate and compelling. With his new EP on the horizon, he’s coming to Simplon with his experimental, atonal soundscape and a crystal-clear voice.

MOMSNAME

MOMSNAME is a four-piece band from Leeuwarden that blends alt-rock with shoegaze, emo, and math rock influences. Their music revolves around vulnerability, loss, and the transformation that arises from them. Live, they bring these themes to life in a dynamic show that combines visuals, stage design, and spoken word. As a result, a performance feels like a complete experience in which light and dark coexist. As a close-knit group of friends who love alternative music, playing live is all about connecting with the audience on a real level.

Eolith

Within the world of dream rock, Eolith brings a touch of melancholy mixed with a dash of grunge. In a short period of time, this Groningen-based band has written a series of original songs, drawing on a wealth of inspiration. Among other things, they explore themes such as
the cruelty of adults toward the innocence of children, the fear of losing a parent, and the decline of relationships. With somber yet lovely sounds, the band aims to take the listener on a journey guided by emotions and sultry guitars

• Open 20:00
• Start 20:30
• Location Bovenzaal
• Genre Rock