The Ex

For over an incredible 45 years, The Ex have been causing waves in the Dutch underground. Their musical explorations and various creative twists and turns over the decades have taken them to all manner of exciting places. Yet, until now, they have not darkened the doors of Roadburn. All that will change in April; fresh from the impending release of a brand new album, The Ex will make their Roadburn debut. 

Formed in 1979 in the flourishing punk scene in The Netherlands, The Ex have a gargantuan back catalogue to their name that takes in detours via noise, folk, jazz and more. With such a vast array of styles and influences over such an elongated period of productivity, it’s no wonder they’re hard to pin down or sum up. Never ones to sit still or repeat themselves, The Ex have become underground icons, indeed, their website states that they’re “Still going strong and forward in all directions!” – which is certainly a sentiment that we can get behind.

Of their upcoming Roadburn performance, the band tell us: “We’re looking forward to playing Roadburn 2025 with a new The Ex album out a few days earlier. We might play a special version of our song from 2001 called Kokend Asfalt (‘boiling asphalt’) …”

With one eye on their impressive legacy, and – as always – a focus on the future, we’re proud to welcome The Ex to Roadburn. 

– Becky Laverty