The Haunted Youth
is the band centred around 29-year-old Joachim Liebens from Hasselt, Belgium, allowing him to channel his innermost feelings into music and lyrics. Liebens writes songs to dream away to, wrapping them in a rich and velvety sound, echoing the beguiling shoegaze of Slowdive, the lulling dream pop of Beach House and the downtempo indie rock of Current Joys.

2021 was a massive year for THY. Debut single ‘Teen Rebel’ took off immediately in Belgium and the neighbouring countries, a success even surpassed by follow-ups ‘Coming Home’ and ‘Gone’. The band attracted attention in the rest of Europe and even the US, earning praise from big names such as KEXP, Consequence of Sound, KCRW, NME and gaining international Spotify support. And despite the difficult times for artists to play live, The Haunted Youth made a big impression on stage as well, raising the roof of several festivals in the Low Countries and standing out at the renowned showcase events ESNS, c/o pop Festival, Waves and Reeperbahn.

If 2021 was a dream year for the band, 2022 is destined for a triumph, set in motion with ‘Shadows’, their fourth single and next step in attracting an ever-growing fanbase. “It’s a song about being stuck in a place where you don’t belong, and where nobody understands or even listens to you,” lead singer Joachim Liebens states. It bears the typical THY sound we’ve come to know so well, only a little slower, even more mesmerizing.

The Haunted Youth are playing festivals all over Europe this year, followed by the release of the highly anticipated debut album in November. Time to start dreaming.