CIEL

Brighton-based CIEL craft a unique blend of moody indie rock, shoegaze, goth, post-punk/new wave and triphop weaving together ethereal melodies with a dark, driving energy. Fronted by Dutch-born singer and songwriter Michelle Hindriks, the band evolved into a duo in the studio with the addition of drummer Tim Spencer. CIEL’s sound is both atmospheric and urgent—heavy guitars, pulsing basslines, and driving rhythms providing the backdrop for Hindriks’ haunting yet intimate vocals. Think of a sound that sits somewhere between the hazy allure of Slowdive, the urgency of Wolf Alice, and the brooding cool of The Cure—ethereal yet punchy, nostalgic yet fresh, and leaving room for wonky sound experiments through the use of vintage synths and samples.

Visual art has as much a place in the world of CIEL too, where paintings and images can show you a different place and make you wonder about the environment, the characters, what is their story? Such as the work of Tilo Baumgartel; sometimes beautiful and strangely dreamlike, sometimes dark and nightmarish, but always mysterious.

Since forming, CIEL has carved out a distinctive space in the UK alternative scene, earning acclaim for their immersive sound and introspective lyricism. Their music explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and human connection, capturing both the melancholy and euphoria of modern life.

FFO: The Cure, Blonde Redhead, The Pixies, Slowdive