Queer Feels, Loud Guitars: Pool Kids Bring Emo Energy to Botanique

On Saturday 28 February 2026, US band Pool Kids land at Botanique’s Rotonde for a night of explosive emo, mathy riffs and cathartic lyrics — perfect for queer hearts that like their feelings loud.

Straight out of Tallahassee’s DIY house-show circuit, Pool Kids have built a reputation for intricate guitar work, shifting rhythms and brutally honest lyrics about relationships, identity and mental health. Their self‑titled album caught the attention of Hayley Williams (Paramore), who publicly praised the band — a nod that firmly placed them on the map for fans of emotionally charged, guitar‑driven rock. If you grew up on emo, math‑rock and indie bands screaming your feelings back at you, this show is the kind of communal release that hits home for a lot of queer listeners.

The show at Botanique

Pool Kids headline La Rotonde at Botanique with support from Swain, bringing a full night of intense, melodic rock. Rotonde’s circular room and intimate capacity make it one of Brussels’ best venues to see a band up close, sweat, tears and all.

• Date: Saturday 28 February 2026
• Venue: Rotonde, Botanique, Brussels
• Doors: 18:30​
• Tickets:
  • Standard tickets via Botanique and partners
  • Bota’Carte price around €16 (check Botanique for exact rates and fees)​

For ticketing and latest info:

• Botanique event page: https://botanique.be/en/concert/pool-kids-swain-2026​
• Live Nation listing: https://www.livenation.be/event/pool-kids-brussels-tickets-edp1618342​
• Additional info: https://www.brusselsmuseums.be/nl/agenda/pool-kids​

Why this gig speaks to queer audiences

Pool Kids’ songs navigate messy relationships, self‑doubt, healing and survival — themes that resonate strongly with many in the LGBTQ+ community. Their blend of math‑rock precision and emo vulnerability creates a space where it feels safe to be loud, sensitive and unapologetically intense. At a live show, that energy turns into a shared emotional landscape where gender norms and expectations blur in the dark, between riffs and sing‑alongs.

Botanique itself is a reference spot for Brussels’ alternative and queer‑friendly crowds, with accessible public transport links and a mixed, open‑minded audience. Whether you come with your queer crew, on a date, or solo to scream along at the back, this is the kind of night where you can wear your heart on your sleeve and your eyeliner under the stage lights.​