Antwerp’s most cosmopolitan and charismatic cult band, Think of One, is back on the road. Known for their groundbreaking albums created in collaboration with local musicians during journeys to Morocco and Brazil, the band earned prestigious accolades, including a ZAMU Award, two BBC 3 World Music Awards — outshining Manu Chao — and a European tour featuring a performance at the WOMAD festival in the UK.
For over 13 years, starting in the mid-90s, the band toured almost non-stop. They even remodeled their tour van into a mobile stage and sound system, allowing them to perform on the road between gigs. It’s safe to say they are musicians at heart, driven by a singular passion: playing live as often as possible.
A turning point in their career came with their unique collaborations with Moroccan and Brazilian musicians. Their showcase at the WOMEX festival in 2004, performed for an audience of industry professionals and global press, marked their international breakthrough, earning them several prestigious awards. Their innovative approach revolutionized the so-called "World Music" scene, pioneering a genre-crossing style that redefined cultural collaboration.
However, after 13 intense years, a break became inevitable. Guitarist David Bovée moved to Brazil with his wife, pursuing various musical projects, while bassist Tomas de Smet and drummer Roel Poriau continued to play together in multiple formations, including Zita Swoon, Laïs, Rumbaristas, Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orchestra, Tom Pintens, King Dalton, and Birds That Change Colour.
The band’s reunion took shape when David returned to Antwerp in 2023. The bond between the three core members felt as strong as ever, leading to the natural decision to relaunch Think of One. With years of additional experience and confidence under their belts, the new Think of One power trio was born.
Their comeback show at De Roma in Antwerp in March 2024 sold out its 2.000 capacity and proved they haven't lost the pure live energy and rhythmic variation dixit De Standaard newspaper. For the occasion, they invited two exceptional female singers — Zulema Hechavaria Blanco from Cuba and Jovinha Rocha from Brazil. The band, now a quintet, performed at several festivals across Belgium during the summer of 2024.
Building on their Moroccan roots and the legacy of their last album, Camping Shaâbi, the band is crafting a new repertoire that promises to be an electrifying fusion of punk, Gnawa, and Shaâbi. Inspired by the Moroccan immigrant community in their Borgerhout neighborhood, affectionately called “Borgerokko,” the band has hinted at reviving the "Borgerokko Beat."
As they work on this concept, the band is also recording a DIY album, harking back to their punk roots and the raw energy that defined their early days.
It is fair to say that "Den Antwaarpse Shaâbi is nog lang ni dood", which is Antwerp dialect for "The Antwerp Shaâbi is far from extinct".
Awards
Winner ZAMU Award - category 'Roots' (album Naft 2) - 2002
Winner BBC 3 Worldmusic Award - category Boundary Crossing - 2004
Winner BBC 3 Worldmusic Award - category Culture Crossing (album Trafico) - 2007
Nomination ZAMU Award (album Camping Shaâbi) - 2008
Nomination BBC 3 Award (album Camping Shaâbi) - 2008
02 mar - De Roma - Antwerp (BE)
11 may - Kokopelli Festival, Gullegem (BE)
29 jun - Feest in't Park - Brugge (BE)
25 jul - Parkpop - Mechelen (BE)
02 aug - Dranouter Festival - Dranouter (BE)
03 aug - Otspot Festival - Huldenberg (BE)
18 aug - OLT Rivierenhof - Antwerp (BE)
21 aug - Parkgasten - Aarschot (BE)
22 aug - Een hele zomer feest, Willebroek (BE)
23 aug - Mollekesfest - Herent (BE)
24 aug - De Zomer van Baarle - Baarle (NL)
7 sept - Vredesfeesten - Sint-Niklaas (BE)
5 dec - Habibi Connection - Brussel (BE)
Bookings worldwide: Wout Van Putten - hi@labestia.be - +32 485 60 12 06
Bookings BE: Werner Dewachter - werner@busker.be
