Maybeshewill (uk)

It’s only been two years since post-rock icons Maybeshewill visited us but we felt it was already time for another visit. Our 2023 lineup was so packed that we had to give them one of the earlier spots on the Main Stage with only 45 minutes to play. The band made do and still delivered an unforgettable experience, filled with some much energy that we still feel rejuvenated. Such a display of youthful energy did not leave us indifferent, and we immediately discussed bringing the band back to the festival, this time for a longer set.

If you’re still unfamiliar with Maybeshewill’s unique brand of post-rock then this year’s festival will serve you as both an warm introduction and a history crash course, for the UK quintet are stalwarts of the modern post-rock era releasing several seminal records and representing post-rock far and wide for the last two decades. Rightfully credited with reviving post-rock back from the ashes of its first wave, Maybeshewill were formed in Leicester in 2006 and immediately rose to acclaim with back-to-back bangers “Not for Want of Trying” and “Sing the Word Hope in Four-Part Harmony”. Released in 2008 and 2009 respectively, these two albums contributed to popularising post-rock (with BBC naming their 2008 track “best track of the week”) with a wider audience, thanks to a refined immediacy and exuberant nature.

We like to describe Maybeshewill’s unique sound as punk-post-rock, for the band has always displayed a uniquely rebellious and defiant attitude, both on stage and in the studio, filling their music with poignancy and urgency, other than total cathartic bliss. On the aforementioned records, this coincided with the inclusion of politically charges speech samples, disseminated amongst boisterous crescendos and roaring climaxes. The chorus on “He Films The Cloud pt. II” has been sung by crowds all over the world while “We Called An Ambulance But A Fire Engine Came” with its almost nu-metal riffs remains one of the heaviest post-rock song ever written. The sincere and “heart-in-hand” quality of these songs made them extremely accessible and relatable, while at the same time contributed to sanctifying Maybeshewill’s name as one of the most brilliantly innovative post-rock bands of all time.

More akin to a high-energy workout than a post-rock show, Maybeshewill’s sets are an exhilarating mix of singing, dancing and jumping. This year we’re giving them the co-headliner spot they so deserve, so get ready to bounce, headbang, scream, and sweat especially, with an hour of the most energetic post-rock band you can (im)possibly imagine! Dishing out pound upon pound of punk-ish post-rock, Maybeshewill are ready to once again take over Concertzaal with their groovy tunes and infectious choruses!

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