Electronic Beats Festivals: A closer look
With the advent of spring slowly creeping across Europe, it’s time once again for EB’s festival season to commence! The parties kick off on April 28th in Gda?sk, Poland with James Blake, Digitalism, Squarepusher, Jazzanova, and Dillon! Blake recently revealed details of a second album entitled Beyond Belief. Though it’s not due to drop until September, there’s a chance you just might hear some new tracks, so be sure not to miss out! Fortunately we won’t have to wait so long for the new Squarepusher LP Ufabulum; that one drops May 14th. If you need a taste a bit sooner, check out new track ‘Dark Steering’ below.
May 5th is a good time to live in Prague, as we’ll be bringing you The Whitest Boy Alive, Grimes, Woodkid, and a sick DJ set from Mike Skinner! Speaking of Grimes, Claire recently released a limited-edition cassette tape on the ever-evolving 4AD. The kicker? Ya gotta win it! We’ve already sent our emails in and lit a candle for luck; if not, we’re hoping some kind fan decides that sharing is caring (hint hint). Meanwhile, Woodkid’s Yoann Lemoine recently tweeted that he was ‘enjoying animals in forests and paper animated commercials’ with noted director Matt Lambert. Do we have a new video to look forward to? Here’s hoping.
Bratislava won’t miss any of the woody action, because on May 12th Woodkid will be rolling up along with Unkle Sounds, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, and Friendly Fires, who have been working on new material for their third album. The band recently stated, however, that they’ll be keeping the new LP under wraps until they feel it’s distinct enough from their previous work to merit release. Before that, however, they’ll be releasing a new track with Primal Scream producer Andrew Weatherall, which is due for a release this summer. Finally, May 24th will find us (and hopefully you!) in Cologne, with live sets from The Kills, Miike Snow, The Hundred In The Hands – just about to release their new album Red Night via Warp – who are giving their single ‘Keep it low’ for free here, plus the always incredible Austra, plus a DJ set from Citizens! and Coma. Brooklyn-based duo The Hundred In The Hands recently released the new track ‘Faded’ off their upcoming EP Red Night, and it’s one we can’t wait to see them perform live. Dreampoppy goodness, perfect for spring. Check it:
EB Festivals aren’t the only place you’ll find us reppin’, though: on May 26th, we’re capping things off by opening the first night of Springfestival! Joining us will be the legendary Amon Tobin, performing his awe-inspiring audio/visual ‘ISAM’ show, as well as support from Wolfram and Zvonko. If you’ve never seen Tobin live, we can tell you with no trace of hyperbole that it’s an experience you will never forget.
We hope to see you at one of these killer events. Spring has sprung, but not as hard as we have in anticipation!
Published April 17, 2012.