Belgium indie-pop group Ventus take the international Imagine Music Experience

This young and energetic band from Gent, Belgium are all still high school students, but already compose enchanting, catchy pop songs that focus on lyrics, far beyond their years. Their dreamy vibes and energetic stage performance captured the hearts and minds of audience and jury alike, winning them a cash prize of €1500, a coaching and distribution package from TuneCore as well as professional band brand coaching from Moon Jelly.

The young Belgians went up against 9 other incredible bands from 8 different countries. In true Imagine spirit, the night was a melange of musical goodness from Brazilian baliefunkers to Swedish songwriters. Each and every band brought their best, demonstrating exactly why they had earned a place at the international Imagine Music Experience final. Imagine focuses on giving a platform to young musicians below the age of 21 and unlike other music competitions, encourages and empowers young musicians to make their own original music rather than singing covers. The musicians shared the week together in Brussels undergoing professional training as well as hanging out in the Belgian capital, jamming and having fun with other young musicians from around the world.

The competing bands were:

- Ventus from Belgium

- Duo Ouriba and Nego Bala from Brazil

- ARA from France

- Backyard Jungles from the Netherlands

- Adiz and Way Down the Rainbow from Norway

- Red Lust from Poland

- Peter Åberg from Sweden

- Nhangambwe from Zimbabwe.

In 2nd Place were teenage Polish rock’n’rollers Red Lust, bringing a fresh, youthful perspective to the genre. In third place came Way Down the Rainbow from Norway, a fiery ball of pure energy; blending and bending genres, space and time. Due to the pandemic, Brazil and Zimbabwe were unfortunately unable to attend live, but competed from their home countries and were Zoomed into the Botanique where they could feel the love and appreciation from the audience.

You can relive all the Imagine Music Experience 2021 magic via the livestream on the Imagine Music our Youtube channel: (Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more great music!)

Imagine is organised by JM International, the world’s largest youth-music organisation, empowering and connecting young people through music since 1945, in cooperation with JM Brussel, JM Wallonie-Bruxelles. Imagine is supported by the Creative Europe Programme, Belspo, the Belgian National Lottery, Le Botanique and TuneCore.