With just weeks to go, Springfestival will soon be kick-starting the festival season off across the whole of Europe. The leading electronic urban event, which takes over the UNESCO World Heritage and UNESCO City of Design, Graz, takes place in many stunning venues including the Dom im Berg cavern venue to the vaulted grandeur of the Stadthalle. Featuring clubs, live spaces and the warehouse environments, sound-tracked by some of the world’s leading live acts and DJs, Springfestival is a mix of electronic music, art, design and technology, with debate at the Springsessions conference.
Opening the festival is Brazilian Amon Tobin's ISAM, a show which is already touring the world. This visual and aural segueing features Amon within the central cube using real-time projection mapping and audio-reactive elements to create a unique feast for the senses, which has already won him huge acclaim. On a techno tip, there’s sounds in store from Luke Slater aka Planetary Assault System, Rolando, Ben Sims and DJ Surgeon who converge under the vaulted roof of the Dom im Berg cave for Machine Night; expect seismic beats and pounding bass from start to finish.
Berghain regular and Hot Flush exponent Scuba also stars; the UK-born DJ and producer is one of the hottest talents around right now, and his recent mind-bending 32-track ‘DJ Kicks’ mix showcased why everyone he is in such demand. And Black Strobe’s Arnaud Rebotini also stars. The French musician has an esteemed career, with his recent ‘Someone Gave Me Religion’ album showing his critically attuned ear is still razor sharp.
Other parties including Gilles Peterson who curates two shows, one electronic, one jazz; Ram Records offer up some of the finest drum and bass sounds; Berlin Calling unites AKA AKA and Format B live; the Heineken Arena introduces the UK’s Little Boots back into the live fray along with The Shoes, Modeselektor and those French producer fancies, Cassius; and the closing night on Sat 19th sees Skream & Benga feat. Youngman & Sgt. Pokes, Ms. Dynamite Live, Toddla T Sound Live and Foreign Beggars Live all under the Stadthalle roof for a huge show of UK talent.
Springfestival takes place Weds 16th - Sun 20th May 2012 in Graz, Austria, across several of the city’s leading music environments. Graz features Michelin starred-restaurants, chic shops and an abundance of culture in its myriad squares, plazas, winding passages and urban spaces, its full programme which can be found here:
http://www.springfestival.at/springfestival-2012/programme
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