LeNoise - the story

A few years ago, in much the same way as Neil Young discovered Crazy Horse at West Hollywood’s Whisky A Go Go in 1968, singer Piet De Pessemier struck gold in the Belgian village of Zelem where he met LeNoise. Since 2017, the band has successfully been gigging in Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, France and the United Kingdom with a set list of Neil Young’s greatest songs. Urged on by ever more enthusiastic audiences, LeNoise will be taking to the stage whenever they get the chance.

LeNoise is: Piet De Pessemier (vocals, guitar), Luc Schreurs (guitar), Vital Maesen (bass, vocals) and Jo Smeets (drums, vocals). Davy Jansen (pedal steel, vocals) and Frank Saenen (piano, vocals) joined the band a few years later.

HIGHLIGHTS

2017

FIRST SHOW – On Sunday, October 1st, 2017, LeNoise takes the stage for the very first time. A four-piece outfit in the spirit of Crazy Horse, they perform around fifteen songs at the Tarmax art event In Meerhout, Belgium. Back at head quarters, Piet, Luc Schreurs, Vital and Jo close the night by deciding – right there in Jo’s garden in Zelem, where their rehearsal space is located – that LeNoise is here to stay for a while.
FIFTH LENOISE MEMBER: LeNoise has a secret weapon: Erwin Ignoul. He has been with the band from day one: driving the LeNoise van, but more importantly, making the band sound incredible, whether it’s a tiny club of a hundred or a huge tent of five thousand. Big shoutout to Electric Erwin! Thanks for everything.

2018

THE NETHERLANDS – A highlight comes with closing the main stage of the Live in Hasselt city festival. Check out phone footage from this show here. Later that year, LeNoise crosses the border for the first time, playing at Gebouw-T in Bergen op Zoom. Many Dutch shows follow.
EVERYBODY KNOWS – To mark the 50th anniversary of Neil Young’s classic album, LeNoise launches a special mini-tour: 'LeNoise plays Neil Young’s 'Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere''.
THE BACKLINE BROTHERS – Electric Erwin, our sound technician extraordinaire, is getting more and more help over the years. That’s necessary with a band that suddenly grows from four to six musicians, and shows that keep getting bigger and more complex. Enter the Backline Brothers to the rescue: Roel and Hein Vanschoonbeek, keeping the band shining on stage, from lights to sound. Together with Erwin, they form a solid team we rely on every show. Thanks, brothers!

2019

NEIL YOUNG FESTIVAL – LeNoise headlines the Neil Young Festival in Zuidhorn, The Netherlands, drawing international fans to the annual celebration.
C-MINE – As the centerpiece of a special Neil Young tribute project, LeNoise takes to the stage at a sold-out C-mine in Genk – the hometown of bassist Vital Maesen and guitarist Luc Schreurs. Singers Marie-Ange Teuwen and Diane Teuwen provide the backing vocals – ever since, we call them the Cinnamon Sisters. Guest musician Davy Jansen plays pedal steel. Years later, Davy joins LeNoise as a full member, playing pedal steel and guitar, singing backing vocals and also takes care of mixing the live recordings. You can hear the results of his work on LeNoise’s YouTube page.

2020

CONCERTS – 2020 is a tough year for everyone, but still brings memorable live moments at venues such as De Bosuil (Weert), Parklife XL (Hasselt) and De Posthoorn (Hamont-Achel).

2021

CONCERT FILM – Refusing to sit still during the pandemic, LeNoise accepts an invitation from Tom Michielsen of cultural center Muze to record a livestream concert. The result: 'LeNoise Live at Muze', a no-audience concert film that still tops the band’s YouTube page. Part one of the film holds the #2 spot, part two is #3, and at #1: 'Cortez the Killer' from the same film. Thank you, Tom. This film has opened many doors for us, thanks to you. And thanks to Bart, Angelo, and all the people of the Muze crew.

2022

ANCIENNE BELGIQUE – Noordkaap invites LeNoise as their support act at a sold-out AB.
RAIN – A memorable night at the Open Air Theater in Valkenburg ends in a biblical downpour, with a big chunk of the audience seeking shelter on stage. Another Dutch highlight: the show at Effenaar.
LENOISE PLAYS HARVEST (50) – A special tour through Belgium and the Netherlands, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Neil Young’s 'Harvest'. Davy Jansen is now a full member of the band. Frank Saenen, formerly known as the drummer of The Scabs, has taken on the role of their permanent pianist and backing singer. Frank made his debut with LeNoise on Saturday, June 11, at Club Arscene in Hansbeke, Belgium. Check out the 'Harvest' concert film here.
GERMANY – LeNoise makes its German debut at the Blues Garage in Hannover.

2023

INTERNATIONAL – The LeNoise map expands: The Netherlands, France (Space Georges Sadoul in Saint-Dié-Des-Vosges) and the UK, with shows at Ramsgate Music Hall and Chinnerys in Southend-on-Sea. Ramsgate Hall may only hold 140 people, but each night the band plays there those 140 bring the kind of energy that makes for unforgettable shows.
SUMMER – Festival highlights include Gevarenwinkel and Bospop Weert.
DE ROMA – On April 20, 2023, we play at De Roma in Antwerp, on the stage where – we wouldn’t dare make this up in a hundred years – Paul McCartney has stood with Wings. Once again, we were invited by Stijn Meuris, Lars Van Bambost, Erik Sterckx, Nico Van Calster and Wim De Wilde, who together call themselves Noordkaap, a band we really like. Noordkaap blows the roof off, but our warm-up act isn’t too shabby either. Sadly, Paul doesn’t cash in his golden spot on the guest list.
HO HO, MY MY – The first of three Christmas editions of 'Ho Ho, My My – Christmas with LeNoise & Friends' at CCHasselt, with guest artists Laïs, Frank Vander linden, Dirk Roofthooft & Stijn Meuris. Check out part one of the concert film here. Here's part two.

2024

THE UK – This year three shows in England: Ramsgate Music Hall, Mama Liz’s Stamford and Social in Hull. Amazing mini tour!
TOP SHOW – A triumphant return to Effenaar in Eindhoven. The audience enjoyed a full performance of Harvest, followed by another forty-five minutes of encores.
HO HO, MY MY II – The second Christmas edition at CCHasselt, featuring Laïs, Johan Heldenbergh, Patrick Riguelle, SunSunSun* Orchestra & Stijn Meuris.

2025

MERCI BIEN – Playing the legendary Salle Pleyel in Paris is a career highlight that will never be forgotten. Phone quality aside, these clips perfectly capture the energy of the evening!
TEQUILA – On November 9, 2024, we play a more than promising try-out of our new tour 'Tonight's the Night – Songs from Neil Young's Ditch Trilogy' at De Singer in Rijkevorsel. On this tequila-soaked tour, we pick the juiciest cherries from 'Time Fades Away', 'Tonight's the Night', and 'On the Beach', the three heartbreak-shattered albums Neil releases after his huge success with 'Harvest'. From a commercial point of view, he’s driving straight into the ditch with these records, but we are totally smitten. Never before have we had this much fun playing together as we do on this tour. The grand finale at De Muze, more than a year after the tryout, is one of the nicest LeNoise concerts ever.
BOSPOP – Back to The Netherlands with shows at Vorstin (Hilversum) and Patronaat (Haarlem), but the Bospop Festival in Weert steals the show: around five thousand people pack the tent – LeNoise’s biggest audience to date. Click here for a clip of 'Heart of Gold' on Bospop.
THE UK CONTINUES – Four shows this time: Ramsgate Music Hall, The 100 Club in London, Brewery Arts Kendal, and Old Woollen Leeds.
EIGHTY – On November 12, 2025, LeNoise celebrates Neil Young’s 80th birthday with a jukebox-style show at Muziekgieterij in Maastricht. Buy tickets here.
HO HO, MY MY III – The third Christmas edition at CCHasselt, with Stijn Meuris, Sarah Pepels and ... Buy tickets here.