There are plenty of festivals out there supporting record labels and individual artists. The fact that there are none also supporting events seems strange. Events are a vital way for artists to have their work seen and heard, but events can also be creative spaces in their own right. They expose artists to new ways of thinking and playing, and force them to confront their audience. The audience can rub up shoulders with the artists, hang out with strangers, find the unexpected or have the unexpected find them. And for the organiser there is the sheer joy of holding things together when by rights it should have fallen apart.
Futuresonic seeks to expose and celebrate new or unusual kinds of event. Two worth mentioning are CDR Special, a one-off compendium of events that only feature music produced during the week of the event, and where anyone can turn up with a track they have produced and burnt to CD. And That Amazing Thing! who do not announce the location of their events or publicise them in any way, instead people need to log on to their website to get sent an invitation with directions to the event. Whether reflecting on the speed of digital culture, or offering an alternative to the stupor of consumer society, events such as these show how to go out on a limb when going out.
Alongside events by outside promoters, labels and artist groups the EVNT Showcase features some Futuresonic in-house events. Gustav plays Common at the festival launch on Thurs 21 July. The Low Grade live event at Roadhouse on Friday 22 features artists from Dallas, Moscow, New York and Germany using obsolete technology to blow minds. And Jason Forrest (Sonig) goes head to head with a Heart & Soul label showcase featuring Kings Have Long Arms and 0898 Dave on Saturday 23 at Roadhouse on Saturday 22.
In association with evnt, an event mapping project supported by Arts Council England.