Hotrods & Strings takes to the stage at Warandepoort on Friday 5 September 2025. Born three years ago, the band delivers an infectious mix of rock, jazz, blues and chanson, interspersed with familiar covers.
Expect songs from the likes of The Doors, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Nina Simone and Belgium’s own De Mens. The programme also includes original songs by frontman Gui Pleysier. Lead singer Pleysier (1954, Western Australia) is not only the man behind the mic, but also chairman of the Tervuren Cyclists’ Association. A passionate advocate for safe cycle paths, he pedals just as hard on stage as on the streets.
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The line-up also includes drummer Alain Mommaerts, guitarist Steven Janssens and vocalist Ingrid De Page. A few surprise guest performances are also expected.
Pleysier, born in North Cottesloe, a coastal town near Perth in Western Australia, says the band’s influences mainly lie in the 1960s, with groups like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, but also bossa nova and jazz have a place. “With a few exceptions,” he adds.
A fun fact: ‘Friday on My Mind’ is by an Australian band, and the world-famous Bee Gees also come from there. And although Nina Simone made ‘Trouble in Mind’ famous, she didn’t write it herself. “In fact, we perform a different version,” says Pleysier.
The evening will also feature blues with a melodic bass line. “That was the first song I ever wrote,” Pleysier recalls. “We also played it back in the day with the XLKlawz band, just before founding Hotrods & Strings.”
The show runs from 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm at CC De Warandepoort, Markt 7B, Tervuren. Tickets are €12 in advance via https://www.dewarandepoort.be/activiteiten/hotrods-strings. Early booking is recommended.
Author: Dafydd ab Iago. © Article and photos 2024 for Tervuren+ under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence.
Dafydd ab Iago
Editor