Hiigo

One of the standard bearers of modern Dutch pop is the band Hiigo from Zwolle. The quintet was founded on January 1, 2021, when singer and guitarist Hans van de Werf no longer wanted to perform as a solo artist, but together with musician friends. Together with guitarist Dion van der Geest, bassist Aart de Gier, keyboardist Peter Terluin and drummer Koen Gardebroek, the band released the debut single Laat Me Los in May of that year. Hiigo is named after the dog of singer Hans' ex.

In the two years that followed, the band independently released the singles Dichterbij , Waar Het Valt Of Staat and Evenwicht , but Hiigo only really got noticed after the release of Tankstation . Three months after its release, Jan-Willem Roodbeen started playing the song on his morning show on NPO Radio 2, after which Tankstation was named TopSong in February 2024 and reached the first place in the Verrukkelijke 15 . 3FM also quickly changed its mind and put Tankstation on its playlist, which resulted in a number 1 listing in De Verlanglijst and a visit to Het Glazen Huis during Serious Request .

From that moment on, things went fast for Hiigo. In the second half of 2024, no less than twenty shows were on the agenda, including festival performances and support acts for Krezip, IOS and Wies . Tankstation was included on the EP Thuis , which the band recorded together with renowned producer and fellow city dweller Rob Peters . Peters previously worked with Bløf, Typhoon and Maaike Ouboter . He was asked by Hiigo to produce their debut album Leven In De Leegte , which will be released on Friday 14 March.

Hiigo has since been named 3FM Serious Talent and the band was nominated for the 3FM Awards in the Best Newcomer category in February 2025.