Category: Reports

OFF Festival has once again shown that the festival hierarchy says less and less about where something truly important is happening. The big names often paled into insignificance, whilst the best gigs were played by those who, rather than seeking applause, had something of their own to say.

MENT in Ljubljana turns out to be a festival of contrasts – from ascetic, almost mystical concerts in chapels to the club chaos of electronic music – which, with extraordinary sensitivity, intertwines the contemporary experimental scene with the memory and tradition of Central and Eastern Europe.

After the war, sporting life flourished in the YMCA hall, initiated by the younger generation. Now, the hall has been revived thanks to music and one of the most original music events in Poland.

OFF Festival brought a mix of big names and discoveries – from the energetic Kneecap and futuristic Kraftwerk to intimate concerts in the jazz tent. Although organisational problems appeared, the festival managed to surprise with unique moments and, after many years, its programme is heading in a better direction.

Rewire reminds that music in focus and detail makes a colossal impression.

An Odyssey in Helsinki: jazz meets electronic music, tradition meets experimentation and sounds from all over the world freely intertwine. No headliners, no divisions – just pure sound exploration.

Minimalist and monumental music from “All Life Long” played by Kali Malone, Stephen O’Malley. Macadam Ensemble and Opus 333 remarkably resonated in the monumental space of the Eglise du Saint-Espirit.

Roadburn broadens one’s view of a slice of the music scene, which reveals its comprehensive spectrum in Tilburg.

The spring edition of Sanatorium of Sound, although more economical, turns out to be surprisingly coherent, balancing rhythm and club electronics with abstract music that resonates well in Sokolowsko.