Mandrake's Monster from Enschede wins Overijssel Pop Award

The Enschede-based band Mandrake’s Monster has won the Overijssel Pop Award for 2016. The band defeated its six opponents, including DJ duo East & Young, trash metal band Distillator and singer-songwriter Jeangu Macrooy. The acts were suggested by music venues in Overijssel.

Mandrake's Monster is made up of guitarists Alex Freise and Peter Muller, bassist Sem Christoffel, drummer Mart Nijen Es and vocalist Martin Duve, all students are former students of the ArtEZ Academy of Pop Music.

The prize was awarded Saturday night during the Booster Festival in the Enschede city centre. Mandrake's Monster will receive 1000 euros and a number of performances in music venues in Overijssel. The 2015 winner is testimony to the fact that the Overijssel Pop Awards can produce major winners: the band PAUW from Haaksbergen is now known across the Netherlands and was nominated this year for an Edison Award and a 3FM Award.

The Booster Festival is organised by third and fourth year students of the Academy of Pop Music and MediaMusic who are taking the Music Management minor. They work for the production company PAMM Productions under the inspired leadership of Arris Roordink. The festival was made possible through a partnership with Poppunt Overijssel, Productiehuis Oost Nederland, Atak Enschede and Metropool Hengelo.