Christof van der Ven (NL/UK)

Originally from Holland, Christof van der Ven moved to Galway in 2007 to pursue music and upon arrival balanced restaurant work with busking. Now London-based, he splits his time between playing as a touring and recording musician with Bear’s Den and touring his own music. His debut album, Empty Handed (2018), arrived shortly after supporting Bon Iver at the Hammersmith Apollo, and since then he has supported artists including Mighty Oaks, Joan As Police Woman, Nick Mulvey, Lisa Hannigan, Talos, Willy Mason and S. Carey, as well as headlining tours across the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

In addition to his debut LP, Christof released a second album, You Were The Place (2019), alongside multiple EPs. His music has been played Radio 6 and Radio X and been featured in GoldFlakePaint, The i, DIY and Clash. Previously, Christof has played at Eurosonic, People Festival, and was a part of The Great Escape in 2023. Most recently, he participated as an Artist in Residence as part of  Sounds From A Safe Harbour, performing alongside the likes of Olafur Arnalds, Alex Somers, and The Staves.

Now, after five years, he is preparing to release his third album in late 2024, which was recorded and produced by Christof alongside legendary producer Ian Grimble (Bear’s Den, Daughter, Manic Street Preachers). His music has been described as “Gorgeous” (DIY), “lush indie folk tapestries that seem to sweep you off your feet” (Clash), and as a “moment of beauty” (The i). 

"Een wonderlijk geheim, gestalte gegeven door vier uitstekende muzikanten die met bands als Matthew & The Atlas en Bear’s Den veel groter gewend zijn en dus véél beter zijn dan andere ‘debutanten’ die de trappen naar dergelijke bovenzaaltjes beklimmen. Dat geldt zeker ook voor Van der Ven zelf, die in al zijn vriendelijke onnadrukkelijkheid grote indruk maakte met zijn trefzekere, halfhoge zang, even beheerste als resolute gitaarspel en vooral met zijn veelzijdigheid als songschrijver." Volkskrant (****) over de show in Luxor Live