The music business is often a depressing place. Bands that matter fall by the wayside whilst those that stand for nothing remain, triumphant. The record labels that are run by the people who truly care collapse in ruin, take the example of Hydra Head last week. The promoters that try their best give up because almost nobody is interested. Thank all that is good in this world, then, for Supersonic Festival. Ten years old this edition, the Birmingham based event is a weekend celebration of genuine boundary-pushing music and in 2012 looks set to be as avant-garde as ever. Not only does the weekend long festival (19th-21st October) feature an amazing array of hugely exciting artists, but many of them will be making extra special appearances over the course of the weekend.
Such artists include Italian experimental metallers Ufomammut, who will be playing their recent cosmic releases 'Oro: Opus Primum' and 'Oro: Opus Alter' in full. For those who missed them doing the same in London earlier this year, Supersonic is a must. Perhaps more unexpectedly, Supersonic will see a performance by Oxbow Orchestra, with Eugene Robinson and Niko Wenner from the band joining a genuine orchestra on stage to perform all new versions of classic Oxbow songs. Kim Gordon will be making her presence at the festival felt keenly. As well as taking to the stage in a UK exclusive performance with her new project Body / Head, the Sonic Youth bassist will be appearing on your songs. Yes, you read that right. Her voice will be part of the Reverse Karaoke art installation in which Supersonic punters will be able to play the music to Gordon’s vocals. If the weekend is not sounding quite unique enough yet then maybe the sound of the Vinyl Rally will appeal to you, as if anyone could fail to be intrigued by the idea of an installation featuring vinyl, arcade game stylings and motor sport… Meanwhile, celebrating the themes of ‘independence’ and ‘mavericks in music’, Supersonic will host a panel of experimental legends talking under the title of 'You Can be You'. There will also be a panel discussion held on 'The Art of Listening'. Oxbow will be celebrated again with a screening of their 'The Luxury of Empire' documentary, and visual stimulation will also be provided by the Imperfect Cinema workshop and Network Awesome.
Of course, the main thing about Supersonic 2012 will inevitably be the incredible line-up of musicians set to perform. On Friday the main event is perhaps the opportunity to witness Justin K. Broadrick’s doom dub alter alias JK Flesh in performance, but the evening will also include performances by the likes of Hey Colossus and PCM. Saturday will feature an extremely rare UK show by avant-garde jazz legends Bohren & der Club of Gore, as well as ex-Swans member Jarboe, rising Leeds act Hookworms, Japanese noise terrorist Merzbow and Earth main man Dylan Carlson. If you have recovered from all that in time the Sunday includes sets by drone king Tim Hecker, tragically underrated singer-songwriter Richard Dawson and US noise rockers Dope Body, in addition to the special aforementioned performances by Body / Head, Oxbow Orchestra and Ufomammut.
If you are in any way a fan of genuinely exciting, experimental music then this year’s Supersonic is a must. A yearly pilgrimage for the UK’s most open minded music lovers, 2012 is set to be the festival’s most compelling year to date. You would be dreadfully unlucky to miss out.
Supersonic Festival takes place at Birmingham’s Custard Factory from the 19th to 21st October 2012. Weekend tickets are still on sale priced £80, with Saturday & Sunday day tickets at £35 and Friday day tickets at £20. Click Here to Compare & Buy Supersonic Festival 2012 Tickets.
For a Supersonic mixtape click here. For more information about Supersonic Festival, including the full line-up and day splits, please visit www.supersonicfestival.com.
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