HE4RTBROKEN has been a staple of Brussels’ nightlife for nearly a decade. Their care-based events blur the line between heartbreak and euphoria, as sentimental and cathartic beats fill spaces with an atmosphere like no other, even hosting artists like Sega Bodega, Oklou and Yousuke Yukimatsu. Be prepared to lose yourself in music that breaks and mends your heart at the same time this Valentine’s Day, as they celebrate their 10th anniversary at the AB with a fitting line-up of ten incredible acts. We highlight a couple of personal favourites!
SMERZ (DJ set)
<iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1926338468&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/smerzno" title="Smerz" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Smerz</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/smerzno/girls-just-wanna-have-fun-uptown-girl-finale" title="Girls just wanna have fun (Uptown Girl finale)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Girls just wanna have fun (Uptown Girl finale)</a></div>
SMERZ crafts intricately deconstructed pop, blending elements of classical music, hip-hop, R&B, and hard electronics into an uncanny, genre-defying sound. Fusing Norwegian folk influences with a dreamlike aesthetic, SMERZ is bound to immerse everyone present under a veil of warmth and familiarity.
<img class="editorial-image-50-left" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61eebcc683107b99137f4423/67ab5ec59ff537a6aadce124_Flyer02%20-%20by%20Tommy%20Brentnall.avif"/>
<img class="editorial-image-50-right" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61eebcc683107b99137f4423/67ab5ebecfa9a711f7cc7653_Flyer03%20-%20Oklou%2C%20Florentino%20%26%20DJ%20Ouai%20-%20by%20Daniel%20Sansavini%20(1).avif"/>
Golin (Live)
<iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1270738270&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/5_lin" title="Golin" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Golin</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/5_lin/golin-suki-sugi-replay" title="Suki Sugi Replay" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Suki Sugi Replay</a></div>
Rin Suemitsu (Golin) is known for pushing the boundaries of J-pop and rave, her sound is a whirlwind of experimental energy and intricate composition. In her latest album, Sensor, she steers away from her usual genre and explores more ambient harmonies, promising an unpredictable and hypnotic atmosphere during her performance.
<img class="editorial-image" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61eebcc683107b99137f4423/67ab5eccee7221d819a3ccf6_Charm%20-%202017%20-%20Lara%20Gasparotto%20(1).avif"/>
ssaliva
<iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/956469055&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/ssaliva" title="ssaliva" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">ssaliva</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/ssaliva/6feetofdirt" title="6feetofdirt" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">6feetofdirt</a></div>
As one of HE4RTBROKEN’s own, ssaliva is bound to engulf you in an otherworldly soundscape, as he has done these past ten years. Aside from being part of the collective, he has performed from Berghain to ALL Club Shanghai, garnering an international audience. Observant attendees might notice that ssaliva also plays a set with Munix, another HE4RTBROKEN family member, under the moniker of nevrland.
<img class="editorial-image" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61eebcc683107b99137f4423/67ab5eb4bea97e1dd611c66c_SKY%20H1%20and%20Mechatok%20by%20Lara%20Gasparotto.avif"/>
Why Be
<iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1852784673&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/yegorkaberlin" title="Yegorka" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Yegorka</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/yegorkaberlin/dru-1-cocoapayol-ygk024" title="dru-1 - cocoapayol [YGK024]" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">dru-1 - cocoapayol [YGK024]</a></div>
HE4RTBROKEN has credited Why Be’s style as a significant influence on their work. Seamlessly incorporating breaks and R&B in his work, there doesn’t exist a label that completely encompasses his unique style of djing. His cathartic music blends flawlessly with HE4RTBROKEN’s idea of moving a crowd both physically and emotionally.
<img class="editorial-image-50-left" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61eebcc683107b99137f4423/67ab5ed17de795a57071163f_14054493_1071366972971508_6128272527438211114_o.avif"/>
<img class="editorial-image-50-right" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61eebcc683107b99137f4423/67ab608ec518eeb5b3e0ad0f_Flyer04%20-%20Tzusing%2C%20False%20Witness%2C%20Flora%20Yin-Wong%20-%20by%20Daniel%20Sansavini.avif"/>
Ariane Kiks b2b K.I.T.
<iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1931707832&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/arianekiks" title="arianekiks" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">arianekiks</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/arianekiks/look-2" title="LOOK" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">LOOK</a></div>
Another mainstay of HE4RTBROKEN’s history would be Ariane Kiks. As a photographer and a DJ, she has managed to both capture and contribute to these soulstitched nights. This Friday she will perform a set with her longtime partner-in-crime K.I.T. for a poppy sentimental mix of not only Caroline Polachek or Lana Del Ray but also their collaborative project Atopos.
<img class="editorial-image" src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/61eebcc683107b99137f4423/67ab5eb8c414a296768e0416_HEARTBROKEN_16-02-2024_ARIANE%20KIKS_%20%C2%A5%C3%98U%EF%BF%BDUK%E2%82%AC%20%C2%A5UK1MAT%EF%BF%BDU_%2007.avif"/>
Liyo & Steff
<iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/255698875&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/liyohbkn" title="Liyo" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Liyo</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/liyohbkn/he4rtbrokens-birthday-mix-for-subbacultcha-belgium" title="HE4RTBROKEN'S BIRTHDAY MIX for Different Class" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">HE4RTBROKEN'S BIRTHDAY MIX for Different Class</a></div>
The final duo that simply cannot be ignored is Liyo & Steff. As the founding members of HE4RTBROKEN, the hosts of this magical evening commemorate their decade of moving hearts together, doing so in the way only they know best: caring for every heartbroken soul through a sensitive and unifying sound.
<div class="editorial-banner"> <div class=“editorial-credits”> @he4rtbroken_nights <br/>HE4RTBROKEN 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY<br/>14.02.2025 - Brussels, AB<br/>Info & tickets here!<br/><br/>Cover photo by Guillaume Blondiau<br/>Images from the HE4RTBROKEN archive<br/></div></div>
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