Music

Say Yes To Droogs

September 28, 2018

"Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Korova. A Belfast based event that aims to link art and music utilising non-club spaces. Korova goes beyond what is normally expected of a music event, showcasing local artists of varying disciplines, whilst supporting local venues and local charities. Alongside the event is the KorovaKast guest mix series, encouraging local artists to play those songs they love but not necessarily in a club environment, allowing them the platform to get a little bit, well, weird. Get involved. Get weird. Korova."

Korova's first party will be taking place at Blaklist on 27th October.

https://www.facebook.com/KorovaBelfast/

https://www.facebook.com/TheBlaklist/

Bicep live show for Telegraph Building

July 18, 2018

No Comments

Belfast's finest twosome Bicep have announced a thrilling live show for the city's cavernous Telegraph Building, in association with Shine, to take place this November.

This will follow what promises to be a bittersweet night in August, as the boys will perform a DJ set at the last ever night in the Bunatee, and just days after the last ever Shine event at Mandela Hall, as QUBSU will undergo extensive renovations later in the year, bringing the curtain down on years of memorable, life-changing club nights that contributed in no small part to establishing Belfast as one of the most happening cities in Europe.

Topping off another whirlwind year for Andy and Matt, the line up will also include local boys Hammer and Schmutz, and French techno noodler Voiski.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday at 10am, and will be available from shine.net, Resident Advisor, and ticketweb.ie

Resist Experimental Event for Black Box

June 8, 2018

No Comments

With another stunning AVA in the bag, Belfast shows scant evidence of slowing down as a city bristling with passion, resoluteness and ingenuity. To that end, Resist founder Koichi - with the support of Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Help Musicians Northern Ireland, Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC, Sound and Music - has announced a fascinating day/night of workshops, talks and music to be held in the Black Box on 7th July.

'Imagining Futures' will see artists interpret what destiny may hold through aural and visual expression, which "may be utopian, apocalyptic, intentional, subconscious, prophetic, deterministic and everything in between – yet undoubtedly musicians and artists are compelled to imagine through creating."

Koichi describes the synopsis: "Throughout the day’s event, we will be exploring: what experimental and creative practices teach us about the future; ways imagining the future can bring meaning to the present; as well as challenging the panellists and audience to imagine their “perfect world scenario” futures, and devising concrete steps we could take to come closer to those visions".

Performing that night will be Lorenzo Senni (Warp Records), Shiva Feshareki (NTS), Paul Stapleton, Ricki O'Rawe, and a Koichi's collab with Helena Hamilton as 'KANDH'.

Tickets are available from www.blackboxbelfast.com

SASHA LOVES RICHIE BLACKER

May 18, 2018

No Comments

Congratulations to Belfast Underground DJ and all round good guy Richie Blacker for signing with Sasha's Last Night On Earth label.

Sasha’s Last Night On Earth imprint is entering its sixth year, and to date has succeeded in being a key platform for fresh, inspiring talent, including Theo Kottis, Maribou State, Fur Coat and Hunter/Game, along with showcasing well respected and long-established figures such as Henry Saiz, Alex Niggemann, Max Cooper and more.

Whilst records released by the London-based label have found their way into the sets of revered DJs worldwide since 2011, the last 18 months marks a significant shift in gear sparked by Sasha’s much anticipated return to production with ‘Vapourspace’ in 2015. Recent standouts on the label include Nicole Moudaber’s epic rework of Sasha’s ‘Rivaldo’, Joel Mull’s ‘Here We Are’ EP, and Sasha’s hauntingly beautiful remixes of RÜFÜS DU SOL’s ‘Innerbloom’ and Maribou State’s ‘Rituals’.

2017 / 2018 sees Sasha welcoming new talent to the label such as VONDA7 and Cosmonaut, along with welcoming back key label residents and favourites such as Ejeca, Theo Kottis and more. With Sasha at the helm, masterfully striking that balance between supporting both emerging and experienced artists to deliver both original content and inspired remixes, Last Night On Earth will continue to aim for and reach new heights.

AVA 2018 Conference Announced

March 6, 2018

No Comments

Details of the conference portion of this year's AVA Festival have been announced.

Previous years have seen contributions from such luminaries as Jeff Mills, Juan Atkins, Leftfield's Neil Barnes, Renaat Vandepapeliere, Adam Smith, and Psychatron.

In keeping with the high standard established, June will feature a keynote address and Q&A with legendary Chicago house figure Larry Heard (aka Mr. Fingers); a chat with AVA mainstays Bicep, who will reflect on what has been a whirlwind 12 months; and Bulgarian DJ, producer, and remixer extraordinaire, KiNK.

As before, there will also feature drop-in panels, tech workshops, a record fair, and many more attractions. Full participatory engagement is encouraged, with emphasis on the importance of networking to up-and-coming and existing producers and DJs.

Tickets for the weekend and free conference (which will take place at The MAC on Friday, 1st June) sign-ups are available here:

http://avafestival.com/tickets/

Orbital return to Belfast

February 7, 2018

No Comments

Dance legends Orbital will make a return to Belfast in May as part of BBC's Biggest Weekend extravaganza, which will take place on Friday 25th, and Saturday 26th at Titanic Slipways.

The Hartnoll brothers named one of their most iconic tunes after the city following a crazy night at the Art College in 1990, and the piece is closely associated with Belfast's uniquely special nocturnal atmosphere.

Also featured are, among others on a stunning line-up, Downpatrick indie stalwarts Ash, angular art-rockers Franz Ferdinand, electropoppers Little Dragon, Swedish Americana sisters First Aid Kit, and drum 'n' bass royalty Goldie.

Tickets go on sale on Monday via Ticketmaster, and will be priced at £18 (plus booking fee).

Public Service Broadcasting to premiere Titanic-inspired EP in Belfast.

January 31, 2018

No Comments

Innovative art-rockers Public Service Broadcasting have announced that, as part of the BBC Radio 6 Music weekender in Belfast in May, they will be commissioning an EP-length project influenced by the famous, ill-fated liner built in the city.

The premiere will take place as part of the BBC's Biggest Weekend, which will occur on the 2nd May Bank Holiday weekend, (25th-28th) and feature performances in all four regions of the UK. Coverage will be provided all across the TV and radio networks and will be delivered in a similar fashion to that of Glastonbury, with Belfast's Titanic Slipway gigs curated by the respected, cutting-edge 6 Music. There will also be shows from Manic Street Preachers, Beck, Courtney Barnett and more.

Tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster on Monday, 12th February, priced £18 (plus booking fee).

AVA Festival returns

November 16, 2017

No Comments

AVA Festival, Ireland's marquee electronic music festival, will return for its fourth instalment on the 1st and 2nd of June 2018, and will feature a closing party on the 3rd.

Since its debut in 2015, the brainchild of Sarah McBriar has gone from strength to strength, and its reach and popularity have grown immensely.

With shows and conferences having featured, among others, Juan Atkins, Jeff Mills, Marcel Dettmann, Rodhad, Bicep, Phil Kieran, Midland, Job Jobse, and host of homegrown Irish talent, AVA prides itself on delivering a top-quality experience, and 2018 is sure not to disappoint.

First access to pre-sale tickets can be found here:

https://goo.gl/forms/GFbO9hGnWcnQsAqi1