Shikata Ga Nai was meant to be from the beginning.

These five crazy characters were already friends during high school. The fact that they went studying in conservatories, miles away from each other (Ghent, Hasselt, and Rotterdam) didn't change anything to that.

Their compositions are filled with nifty basslines, slick beats, and wacky sounds. But above all: always bursting with energy.

The band first took shape in 2019, when they played at "The Rob Franken Electrification" in LantarenVenster (Rotterdam). This was a tribute to the Dutch keyboard wizard Rob Franken, who played with Toots Thielemans for several years. Shikata Ga Nai was the opening act for Franken's old bandmembers Peter Tiehuis, Theo de Jong, Bruno Castellucci, and Karel Boehlee.

When these guys get on stage, there's nothing you can do but to vibe along on their wave of Shikata Ga Nai-ness.