SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEW ADDITIONS TO THE LINE UP AND REVEALS THE EXTRA CURRICULAR PROGRAM

Less than one month to go before Supersonic Festival the “mother of all British underground festivals“ [The Quietus] returns on 8-10th July, following their spectacular sell-out 2019 edition. Limited tickets are still available via www.supersonicfestival.com. 

A word from festival director Lisa Meyer; “It’s been a right old rollercoaster of a ride these past few years but we’ve held on with grit and determination, spurred on by your incredible support. These are heavy times. The weight of the pandemic, the political situation locally, nationally and globally and another financial crisis could have done us in for good. Instead, we’ve channelled that heavy energy into this year’s festival, not only via amplification but in exploring ideas of great force. And of course there will be plenty of opportunities to rejoice and dance together whether Stuart Maconie’s Freaky Disco or when The Quietus take over the spectacular rooftop bar. We hope you enjoy the energy of this year’s Supersonic; it just wasn’t a year for half measures!” 

Today we bring you the complete line-up, including a newly-announced performance from NYX Drone Choir, talks with Stuart Maconie from BBC Radio 6 Music, and extra curricular activities such as the Print Matters exhibition celebrating DIY publishing – this and more below.

But first, to recap, Supersonic has invited back friends of the festival to perform throughout the weekend, including The Bug feat Flowdan, a UK exclusive and first time performing in the UK since the release of Fire on Ninja Tune, Richard Dawson & Circle will perform from their critically-acclaimed album Henki, Eugene S. Robinson (Oxbow) performing with Buńuel, and Valentina Magaletti (Tomaga, Vanishing Twin) with Holy Tongue.

Also invited to play will be Divide and Dissolve, returning after a triumphant year following the success of their album Gas Lit, the political and genderless dancehall of Grove and Old Man Gloom (consisting of members of Converge, Cave In, Sumac and more). June Of 44 are making their first UK appearance in 23 years, plus a host of artists, DJs and filmmakers curated by Jerusalem In My Heart (the immersive audio – visual performance project, with Lebanese-Canadian producer Radwan Ghazi Moumneh and Montréal-based filmmaker Erin Weisgerber – who will also be performing at the festival) and Decolonise Fest (annual DIY punk fest, run by and for punx of colour). Additionally, sound artist and musician Paul Purgas shall reveal a new work as a special commission for the festival, which will combine the trailblazing reel-to-reel tape experiments of the Radiophonic Workshop and the exploratory spirit of Musique Concrète.

“I’ve been privileged to appear at the wonderful Supersonic festival many times, since they kindly booked me into their inaugural event in 2003. So many unforgettable memories, musically and personally. Been flattered Lisa, and her exemplary team, have kept faith in me sonically, and allowed me to consistently reflect my erratic musical journey at their sick events. The festival is hardcore in all the best ways. Zero compromise artistically/quality wise, and total commitment to eclectic, original mavericks across so many fascinating zones of creativity. Plus a very genuine, passionate crowd, always hungry for non-conformity and intensity. Indeed the spirit of Sabbath riffs permeates the place and the people deeply, thankfully. And let’s not forget, the best curries in Britain, are just down the road too ! …After the curse of the plague, that has afflicted so many, in the past couple of years, it’s a pleasure to be invited back to Birmingham, to unleash my Fire material live, for the first time in the UK since the album dropped heavily on Ninja Tune, in 2021. Accompanying me for this trip, is the mic master Flowdan, and trust, we cannot wait to bring the dirt & heat.” – Kevin Martin aka The Bug

New to the line up are violinist, music director and composer Rakhi Singh (who has worked alongside the likes of Steve Reich and Bjork), producer and composer Seb Gainsborough aka Vessel and collaborative drone choir NYX, who are opening this year’s proceedings with an embodied ritual.  

In addition, NYX will partner up with Do.om Yoga in order to create a live drone soundscape for a very special soundbath-esque workshop.

Haress make music that is rooted in the feel and tradition of British folk, but expands beyond genre through improvisation, texture and amplification, they will invite audiences to bring their voices and be part of the Skylark Ensemble, forming around a human drone and repeated vocal performance. 

We are also delighted to reveal the range of extra curricular activities, workshops and talks that the festival will also have on offer. 

Talks will include Stuart Maconie (BBC Radio 6 Music) in conversation with Richard Dawson and also Radwan Ghazi Moumneh (aka Jerusalem In My Heart), Electric Wizards author JR Moores in Conversation with Rosie Solomon, and a discussion panel on the Art of Collaboration, between Jessika Khazrik, Elizabeth Bernholz (Gazelle Twin) and Sian O’Gorman (NYX), hosted by Sophie Morrison. 

The Print Matters exhibition is a showcase of the political and social power of DIY publishing, including works by Black Lodge Press, Foka Wolf, Gee Vaucher, Dog Section Press, La Linterna and Lucy McLauchlan.

There will also be a plethora of workshops to supplement the music, from DIY synth making to Riso poster making – unleash your creativity!

There will be a film programme this year including Here Is a Gift for You: A Film about Old Man Gloom, directed by Kenneth Thomas, with an introduction from Thomas himself, shorts by John Bradburn (previously collaborated with Emma Ruth Rundle) and Erin Weisgerber will also screen a series of short films, introduced by Radwan and herself, as part of JIMH’s guest curation.

DJs on the rooftop bar will be playing throughout the weekend, including The Quietus takeover (including but not limited to UKAEA spinning tropical disco; international punk rock fire from Noel Gardner; Alannah Chance and Jennifer Lucy Allan from BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction; and the hopefully not self-explanatory John Doran and J.R. Moores’ Naked Brunch), Freaky Disco (Stuart Maconie + special guests Divide & Dissolve + Radwan Ghazi Moumneh aka JIMH) as well as countless friends of the festival spinning records in the marketplace throughout the weekend. 

In the meantime, for further information about the artists + tickets visit: www.supersonicfestival.com