On Sunday, June 1, EM2 will transform into a festival full of music, solidarity, and togetherness. Everyone is welcome!
Support a good cause and enjoy a jam-packed lineup with a wide variety of music—from punk to pop, there’s something for everyone. Come party, support, and connect. During the festival, twelve bands will perform. The occasion is a court hearing on June 11 regarding the sisters Gloria and Maura Afonzo Nazw. In 2012, at ages 13 and 15, they had to flee their homeland Angola after their father—an opponent of the regime—was murdered before their eyes. The sisters were brought to the Netherlands and left at the gates of the asylum center in Ter Apel. There, they were placed in protected care, as the immigration service (IND) suspected human trafficking. Since then, they have been moved from one shelter to another. Gloria has become paralyzed and uses a wheelchair, requiring extensive medical care. On June 11, there will be a hearing in her ongoing medical procedure case. The IND wants to deport them, claiming Gloria’s condition is not a barrier to deportation. However, a medical expert believes deportation would be life-threatening. There is no adequate medical care in Angola, and the sisters have no family there to support them. The proceeds from this benefit festival will go toward supporting Gloria and Maura—for example, for education in the Netherlands or, if necessary, to survive in Angola. 

Cashmyra
Pounding drums and minimalist guitar lines. Cashmyra is a Dutch-language post-punk duo mixing disorienting lyrics, gritty noise, and spoken word. Always a little angry at everything—and therein lies the comfort. With their fuzzy debut album Moreel Verwerpelijk, they’ve already played at ESNS20, ESNS21, and VERA. // INFO

Evilcentric
Post-hardcore, post-punk & retro metal from Groningen. The band delivers a metal-heavy vibe, with riffs inspired by punk, thrash metal, hardcore, stoner, and garage punk. The result: a mix of heavy, noisy, and diverse tracks. // INFO

Burning Dixi
Great band name, even better short hardcore tracks. Formed in September 2022, they released their debut album Literal Punk Shit in 2023. Their sole mission: to go wild!! // INFO

Graaflandgraaf
An alternative rock/punk band with a touch of rap, sweet tones & chaotic noise. Their lyrics highlight socially tough topics like mental health, exploitation, violence, and other heavy issues. // INFO

TAXITAXI
Three lunatics behind the wheel of a rusty car with no brakes. Punk-boyband TAXITAXI speeds through schools, supermarkets, churches, and clinics. Singing along is mandatory with lyrics like “who wants to see my pre-university diploma,” “I’m your team leader,” and “people talk—so what.” Hop in. // INFO

Mart Eerens
A musician, guitarist, and songwriter known for his nostalgic sound—a tribute to 70s rock. Born and raised in Winschoten, Mart quickly developed a love for music. Together with his bandmates, drummer Darren Lut and bassist Adrian Dedinca, he brings the music to life with a tight and energetic show. // INFO

Stresssysteem
A Dutch-language hardcore punk band with a grimy crust sound. A "stress system" is a system in the human body that (surprise) detects tension. Good hardcore punk is tense but also very relaxing—it’s perfect for letting loose. // INFO

Helen Jewett
Combining post-punk with shoegaze in a catchy way. These three music students from Zwolle fill every venue with raw energy despite being a small lineup. Their strong live shows and unique sound transport you back to the post-punk scene of the 1980s. // INFO

More T.B.A.

Door: €10,- Doors open: 16:00