Music doesn’t get purer and more authentic than in the hands of ISE, the 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Belgium with a talent to pour personal stories into heartfelt indie rock songs. For the past years she has gained a strong and impressive live reputation across Europe, with her powerful presence and performance, even when it was just her on guitar or piano.
With her unique raw voice and stripped-down 90s guitar sound, ISE stunned audiences at many Belgian festivals including Rock Werchter (youngest female artist ever!) and Pukkelpop, and at several international festivals such as Sziget (HU), Best Kept Secret (NL), Traumzeit (D), Belgian Beer Weekend + Expo 2025 Osaka (Japan).
This live success led to sold out club shows in Belgium (AB Club twice on the same day!) and The Netherlands, and invites to play supports for established international artists: Hozier (Forest National, Brussels), Fantastic Negrito (London, Paris) and Gavin DeGraw (AFAS Amsterdam).
2025 will mark the beginning of a new phase in her already successful but yet still budding career, shifting all focus to working on her debut Album ‘Suitcase Child’ that will be released on January 9th 2026.
Since her parents' divorce when she was just three, ISE spent her childhood shuttling between two homes, packing her suitcase each week. Now using her music to express the emotions that came with it.
“When your parents are divorced, you don’t get a say in it, and you don’t get to choose who enters your life and who will be new ‘family’. Sometimes it’s nice, often it’s not. I put my personal feelings into these songs, but maybe other people can relate too, and I hope they can find strength and value in it”, says the young songwriter.
This album shows ISE evolving as a young adult and as an artist, with full band arrangements literally amplifying her then fragile, then angry emotions. She can’t wait to hit the stage with a full band and new sound!
Meanwhile releasing singles towards the big release day; ‘Remember?’ was the first album single to be released, with added instrumentation and lush orchestration that build up to a cutting emotional finale. Followed by the more powerful songs ‘When you are around’ and ‘Just a Lie’.
Performances will be limited this year but she will be present at several European showcase festivals; Pro Weekend Castellon (ES), Live at Heart (SE) and EuroSonic (NL). Also supporting the Irish band ‘Somebody’s Child’ during their German tour.
A beautiful highlight was her appearance at the Atomic Sessions, broadcasted on the national tv channel Canvas. An intimate performance by ISE and the Atomic orchestra, a magical blend of pop and symphony, lifting her songs to a new dimension of emotions. Later taking it to the stage at Pukkelpop: ISE on piano, empowered by 40 symphonic musicians, in front of 14.000 people!
ISE rose to the surface in 2023 when, still only 17 at the time, she got unique playing opportunities at festivals across Europe and claimed prizes at renowned music competitions Sound Track (B) and Imagine Music Experience (NL). All this even before the release of her debut single!
‘Goodbye Letter’ dropped in early 2024, sealing her first place in Studio Brussel’s influential De Nieuwe Lichting and reaching #1 in the network’s popular chart De Afrekening. What followed was widespread attention and support from radio (StuBru, KINK, NPO2, BBC1...) and television, to magazines and online channels in Belgium, the Netherlands, UK and beyond.
‘As the youngest female artist ever at Rock Werchter, ISE already perfectly understands one
doesn’t always need many frills to create beauty. With only five songs she manages to
impress the audience and score four stars out of five.’ – De Standaard
As a young independent female artist, she is invested in further exploring her talent and building a solid career in the music industry. So, keep an eye on her, because there will be much more to come.
You may also like the following events from Den Trap:
- This Thursday, 22nd January, 09:00 pm, Luminous Fest present HEAD ON STONE in Kortrijk
- This Friday, 23rd January, 10:00 pm, CONCPT @ Basement | Tape, Lowie Vanhoutte + Secret B2B in Kortrijk
- This Saturday, 24th January, 09:00 pm, ALICE MAE TRY OUT in Kortrijk
Also check out other
Music events in Kortrijk,
Entertainment events in Kortrijk,
Festivals in Kortrijk.
