Upon arrival at Paradiso on Thursday, October 2nd, there was hardly a line outside. About 30 people were waiting, most of them clearly there for Dressed Like Boys, the solo project of Jelle Denturck. Denturck is best known as the frontman of Belgian indie rock band DIRK, which went on indefinite hiatus a year ago. Now he is carving out his own path, backed by a full band. Inside, the crowd was intimate, maybe 50 to 60 people ranging from their mid-twenties to around fifty, and the small stage was crammed with instruments. Just ten minutes before showtime, the bassist and guitarist quickly ran through a final soundcheck before disappearing backstage.
The show opened quietly, with Denturck stepping out to greet the audience with a stripped-down acoustic version of ‘Questions’. His voice carried clearly through the room, setting a warm and vulnerable tone. After thanking the crowd for coming, he teased that the band behind him was “not just part of the decor,” and they joined him for ‘Healing’ followed by ‘Our Part of Town’. At this point, he asked how the audience was doing, only to be met with shy nods, which he brushed off with a smile before introducing ‘Finger Trap’ from the debut album released just last month.
Things loosened up with ‘Agony Street’. Denturck got up to dance, even jumping off the stage to weave through the audience while people clapped along. At the end, he joked that this was the most dynamic part of the night. He then introduced a deeply personal piece, inspired by Belgian-Moroccan artist Jaouad Alloul. Denturck spoke passionately about Alloul’s courage as a queer Muslim, drag performer, and activist, and quoted him before leading into the song dedicated to him. To lift the mood again, Denturck promised something more cheerful and launched into ‘My Friend Joseph’. The crowd swayed and danced, visibly more at ease. However, the energy shifted once more with ‘Pride’, the song that sparked the very name Dressed Like Boys. He told the story of being harassed while walking hand in hand with his boyfriend in Ghent, and how writing the song turned a painful memory into something empowering. His performance of ‘Pride’ was raw and heartfelt, with every emotion visible on his face.
Next, he sang ‘Nando’, a song written about his partner. By the end of the song, the set moved into a lighter and more playful territory as Denturck joked about the missing highest note on the keyboard. Afterward, he dedicated ‘Gregor Samsa’ to his mother, who passed away seven years ago, explaining how grief felt like a black hole before he found enough peace to be able to write about it. The song’s ending flowed seamlessly into an instrumental passage that held the room in quiet attention. With guitar in hand, Denturck then played ‘Lies’ before announcing a few more songs. The audience responded only half-heartedly, prompting his quip about “moderate enthusiasm,” which broke the ice and drew laughter. Then came ‘Pinnacles’, where the crowd finally leaned in, swaying, tapping their feet, and even singing along. For the outro of ‘Pinnacles’, the band delivered a powerful instrumental section that built steadily and was crowned by a fiery guitar solo from Nathan Nysebaert. Denturck used the moment to introduce his bandmates: Nysebaert on guitar, Giel van Thournout on bass, Robin Wille on drums, and Babette Rogiers on keys and backing vocals.
As the night drew to a close, Denturck announced the final song, joking that with only one record out, there wasn’t much more to play unless they wanted “mediocre stuff” for another hour. Before playing the closer, he shared the history of the Stonewall Riots and his own visit to the Stonewall Inn earlier this year. He recounted a quote from the owner, “It’s important to know your history, or you may not have a future,” which set the stage for the powerful closer ‘Stonewall Riots Forever’. The show ended with the band raising their fists in solidarity as the last notes rang out. The band members bowed together to loud applause from the small but enthusiastic crowd. Denturck reminded everyone he would be at the merch stand for a chat, adding a personal touch to an already intimate evening.
For those who missed it, Dressed Like Boys will return to the Netherlands with a show at Patronaat in March 2026. If this night was any indication, it’s one worth marking in your calendar.
