In praise of rave

Published by Beatportal

As an impressionable 11 year old in 1992, the most exciting aspect of the rave scene was the perceived criminality. The scene was awash with drugs, which ensured regular media coverage on the evening news. My friends and I were well impressed upon hearing of a week-long rave in the town of Castlemorton, near Hereford in the Malvern Hills of England. The news reports claimed that 40,000 people had turned up in the West Country for a free party, coupled with hilarious clips of appalled local residents. (more…)

Caribou

Heaven, London

Published by The Fly

Dan Snaith has amassed a dedicated following through relentless gigging and a consistently strong studio output. His albums have garnered significant praise on both sides of the Atlantic, albeit mostly in the specialist press. The most recent Caribou longplayer has once again received considerable critical acclaim, although on this occasion the net seems to have spread a little wider. ‘Swim’ is indeed a fantastic listen, a coherent assortment of delicate techno mantras and meticulously constructed ambient movements. (more…)

Health / Chrome Hoof / Zun Zun Egui

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London

Published by The Fly

Connoisseurs of experimental music can usually rely on the Southbank Centre’s annual Ether festival to provide some adventurous programming as the first rays of summer sun begin to bounce off the Thames. This year’s event is particularly strong, with three days dedicated to avant-garde hero Edgard Varèse and an audiovisual performance by the legendary director Chris Cunningham. Yet the most interesting show for many was this intriguing transatlantic triple-whammy. (more…)