Do you have any tips for Alumnus makes music? Let us know.
We offer this playlist via Spotify. And that feels uncomfortable. The streaming service is all-powerful and one of those big tech companies that regularly come under fire for various reasons (see also the article ‘Afscheid van Big Tech’ [‘Farewell to Big Tech’]). We therefore warmly welcome suggestions for a good alternative. Robert Prey and Femke de Rijk, who are involved in the European research project ‘PlatforMuse’ on behalf of the UG, are investigating the influence of platforms such as Spotify on the music industry and musicians. Their findings show that this influence is significant, both economically and creatively.
MARYT NYGÅRD (BSc Biology, 2025) and her band, ‘Medemensen’– including DERK VAN WAGENINGEN (MA Law, 2024) – have already performed at Oerol, ESNS, and the legendary VERA basement bar. Now, they have released an EP: ‘Live in het bos’ (‘Live in the Forest’). The VPRO describes it as talented, disarming, and heartwarming. Catch them this autumn during the ‘Popronde’ tour.
A new album, a new sound. This certainly applies to ‘Orange Skyline’, featuring STEFAN VAN DER WIELEN (BA Arts, Culture, and Media, 2018). On their third album, ‘Dreams to Keep’, the emphasis has shifted from Britpop to a funkier sound.
Admittedly, most members of ‘StAD’ studied at Hanze University. However, drummer RENÉ ASSCHERT (Human Geography and Planning, 1996) and singer ROBERT DE KEIJSER (Dutch Languages and Cultures, n.f.) are UG alumni. A quarter of a century ago, they were hot with their innovative Groningen pop music. In 2026, they are back with a new album: ‘Mooi Bie Huus Blieven’ (‘Nice to Stay at Home’).
As ‘Not Sure’, he primarily makes English-language hip-hop full of philosophy and humour. As ‘Tomas’, he delivers the sensitive ‘Dansen op Zee’ (‘Dancing at Sea’). Now, TOM RÖFEKAMP (BA Business Admini-stration, 2017) finds, as a member of the ‘supertrio’ ‘Praatstoel’, that ‘Alles lekker’ (‘Everything’s Fine’).
‘Blanks’, aka SIMON DE WIT (MA Communication and Information Studies, 2019), will also release a new album soon. Recently, he has shared some previews, such as ‘Wait till my kingdom comes’.
Lastly, a band full of old hands: Groningen’s ‘Picture That’, featuring ERIK DE GRAAF/ EedeGeeMusic (Educational Sciences, 1994), MICHIEL MENS (Economics, 1990), and DICK RIETVELD (Dutch Languages and Cultures, n.a.), recently released ‘Dustry Trail’. The album is packed with instrumental, rootsy blues and Americana.
A Spotify playlist featuring plenty of new music from University of Groningen alumni.
Do you have any tips for Alumnus makes music? Let us know.
MARYT NYGÅRD (BSc Biology, 2025) and her band, ‘Medemensen’– including DERK VAN WAGENINGEN (MA Law, 2024) – have already performed at Oerol, ESNS, and the legendary VERA basement bar. Now, they have released an EP: ‘Live in het bos’ (‘Live in the Forest’). The VPRO describes it as talented, disarming, and heartwarming. Catch them this autumn during the ‘Popronde’ tour.
A new album, a new sound. This certainly applies to ‘Orange Skyline’, featuring STEFAN VAN DER WIELEN (BA Arts, Culture, and Media, 2018). On their third album, ‘Dreams to Keep’, the emphasis has shifted from Britpop to a funkier sound.
Admittedly, most members of ‘StAD’ studied at Hanze University. However, drummer RENÉ ASSCHERT (Human Geography and Planning, 1996) and singer ROBERT DE KEIJSER (Dutch Languages and Cultures, n.f.) are UG alumni. A quarter of a century ago, they were hot with their innovative Groningen pop music. In 2026, they are back with a new album: ‘Mooi Bie Huus Blieven’ (‘Nice to Stay at Home’).
As ‘Not Sure’, he primarily makes English-language hip-hop full of philosophy and humour. As ‘Tomas’, he delivers the sensitive ‘Dansen op Zee’ (‘Dancing at Sea’). Now, TOM RÖFEKAMP (BA Business Admini-stration, 2017) finds, as a member of the ‘supertrio’ ‘Praatstoel’, that ‘Alles lekker’ (‘Everything’s Fine’).
‘Blanks’, aka SIMON DE WIT (MA Communication and Information Studies, 2019), will also release a new album soon. Recently, he has shared some previews, such as ‘Wait till my kingdom comes’.
Lastly, a band full of old hands: Groningen’s ‘Picture That’, featuring ERIK DE GRAAF/ EedeGeeMusic (Educational Sciences, 1994), MICHIEL MENS (Economics, 1990), and DICK RIETVELD (Dutch Languages and Cultures, n.a.), recently released ‘Dustry Trail’. The album is packed with instrumental, rootsy blues and Americana.
A Spotify playlist featuring plenty of new music from University of Groningen alumni.
We offer this playlist via Spotify. And that feels uncomfortable. The streaming service is all-powerful and one of those big tech companies that regularly come under fire for various reasons (see also the article ‘Afscheid van Big Tech’ [‘Farewell to Big Tech’]). We therefore warmly welcome suggestions for a good alternative. Robert Prey and Femke de Rijk, who are involved in the European research project ‘PlatforMuse’ on behalf of the UG, are investigating the influence of platforms such as Spotify on the music industry and musicians. Their findings show that this influence is significant, both economically and creatively.
