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Electro Rebelia – Selector Festival 2010
The first edition of the Selector Festival was a success artistically and in terms of attendance. Will the organisers manage to raise the goalposts that they set so high a year ago? Judging by the choice of artists, this year’s test on 4-5 June will certainly result in a medal.
Due to the heavy rain falls in Krakow in May the Festival has been transfered to the Polish Aviation Museum (entrance from Bora-Komorowskiego street). Organisers will provide free tranport. All tickets sold remain valid.
More details www.selectorfestival.pl
It’s in Them that We Place Our Hopes
Faith breeds miracles, and this group – in spite of their name – are worthy of your trust. Faithless from Britain are one of the most popular dance groups. The group is currently made up of: charismatic vocalist Maxi Jazz, acclaimed DJ and keyboardist Sister Bliss and producer Rollo Armstrong (the older brother of singer Dido). Faithless often voice their opinion on extra-musical matters, on many occasions including socially engaged lyrics on their singles. And how might their music be described? This is trance with elements of house, hip-hop and funk. On 16 May the group’s new album Calling All The Faithful was released. Their subdued showing on the studio albums is in diametric opposition to their live performances. They have many times been invited to headline the largest festivals and on every occasion they have inspired many thousands of fans to dance. But who could possibly nod off to their cult hit Insomnia?
Faithless, photo from organiser's archiveLike Faithless they came into being in 1995 and just like them they draw attention to the social conditions reigning in the world. The name of the group very much speaks for itself – Thievery Corporation. Their last album Radio Retaliation was a pronounced political statement. Messrs Rob Garza and Eric Hilton willingly draw inspiration from other cultures – the refined electronics are enriched with Jamaican vibes, African rhythms and melodies reminiscent of the Far East. Their productions have no bounds as evidenced by the guests invited to participate on successive projects: David Byrne, Emiliana Torrini, Perry Farrell, Femi Kuti and Bebel Gilberto.
Thievery Corporation, photo by Andrzej LiguzCalvin Harris is one of the hottest names on the club scene. Among other factors, it is down to him in particular that disco-dominated music and also 80s vibes have returned to the club mainstream. This 26-year-old Scottish producer gained extraordinary popularity right after the release of his debut album I Created Disco. He has successfully collaborated with such stars as Kylie Minogue, Róisín Murphy, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Dizzee Rascal. Harris’ appearances at European festivals have shown that a melodic fusion of disco, techno and pop can really come up trumps in a live concert situation.
Calvin Harris, photo from organiser's archive
Indie Dance and Sound Anarchy
The combining of electronica and alternative rock is currently a fashionable trend. A few of the groups invited to Kraków have found themselves to be really at home in this genre. Friendly Fires have certainly stoked up the public. The sound of this British band is mainly based on melody. Their harmonies live on in the memory for a long time and the rhythms they lay down compel people to dance with careless abandon. It is for this kind of music in particular that the term “indie dance” was coined.
Friendly Fires, photo from band's archiveNext, Metronomy are one of those bands whose musical style is difficult to classify and their admirers include fans of rock and electronica. The band owe most of their success to Joseph Mount, who began his adventure in music as a rock percussionist. Mount’s portfolio includes remixes of such artists as Franz Ferdinand, Gorillaz and Ladytron.
Metronomy, photo by Phil Sharp“The guitar is dead. Long live the guitar!” is the motto of Delphic. Well, of course – their Manchester roots are binding. But not constrictive. Delphic are above all shaking up the best electronic traditions of their hometown, refreshing them in a way that a fair few groups could only dream of.
Delphic, photo from organiser's archiveAudio Bullys is made up of London producers Tom Dinsdale and Simon Franks. They gained their greatest popularity in 2005, thanks to the hit Shot You Down, in which a sample was used from the Nancy Sinatra track Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down). They’ve been dubbed the heirs to Madness, so crazy fun is on the cards.
Audio Bullys, photo by Dan ReigPunk, rock, electro and sound anarchy – all of these await us when Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77 perform. This Italian trio are famous for their live performances. This can be put down not only to their energetic electro but also their image. Fascinated by cartoon stylistics, they appear on stage in special masks.
BBDC, photo from organiser's archiveGerman Masters and a Fashionable Diva
28-year-old Alexander Ridha from Hamburg over a short time has changed the face of dance music. In 2003 he moved to Berlin, where he began the project for which we know him best – Boys Noize. The massive, at times extreme, sound of Boys Noize was more reminiscent, due to its power, of rock than classic house. Besides his original compositions, the DJ is highly regarded for his remixes of such artists as Depeche Mode, Editors and Röyksopp.
Boys Noise, photo by Michael MaierGerman masters of electronica Booka Shade are one of those groups that have developed their own recognizable sound that is impossible to reproduce. The duet place great weight on the visual dimension of their performances, which makes them even more welcome at the Selector Festival.
Booka Shade, photo from organiser's archiveThe genuine female article in the festival mix is Uffie. This vocalist combines classic hip-hop with modern electronics. The chief assets of this 22-year-old are her extravagant style and peculiar personal charm. Combative and independent, she has her own outlook and a caustic tongue. She herself admits that she can’t sing and she responds to all her enemies with a concise “If you don’t like me – fuck you”. Phew, it promises to be spicy!
Uffie, photo by Isa Peres
Also appearing on the stages of the Kraków festival are Polish performers: Hellow Dog, AXMusique, Pol_On, Stendek, Kukabara Soundsystem, Hush Hush Pony and Pandoid.
Unconventional and carefully selected stars, two stages located in special enormous tents. Added to this, visuals in the hands of world class specialists. Even the most demanding fans of electronic and dance music will be satisfied.
(Artur Jackowski, monthly "Karnet")
4-5 June
Organisers: Alter Art, Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe
More on: www.selectorfestival.pl
