Convergence Festival returns this week (12 March) to stage a near month long showcase of music, art and technology in a series of locations across London. Now in its second year, the 2015 event will feature the likes of Gary Numan, Tricky, George Clinton, Matthew Herbert and more at venues including Royal Festival Hall, Village Underground and St John-at-Hackney Church. For full details and tickets head to Convergence-london.com, but in the meantime organisers Glenn Max and Dan Davies have made us a Playlist of their personal favourites from this year’s bill.
Paula Temple – Ful
“In the heavily masculine world of techno, subtlety and nuance are often pounded down. Paula understands the dance floor but she is also an experimental artist, teacher and organiser. I can’t wait to see the Hybrid AV set she’s creating with Jem the Misfit and hear her talk at Convergence Sessions”
Batida – Pobre e Rico
“Batida [Pedro Coquenão] is based in Lisbon and is creatively involved with our sister venue Village Underground. His productions capture the chaotic pulse of Angolan music but this is refined work not ramshackle. Batida’s Tropical Beats party at Village Underground London is going to be the sweaty dance party of the season.”
Inga Copeland – Advice To Young Girls
“After the hugely lauded Hype Williams, this is more personal reflection than her work with Dean Blunt. This doesn’t stop it being any less experimental, this song is haunting and unsettling.”
Zomby – Memories
“If John Carpenter was a dubstep devotee he might make this track. We’re over the moon that Zomby is coming to our closing party to wake the undead in the early hours.”
Andy Stott – Tell Me Anything
“Stott is one of those electronic innovators who refuses to be filed away neatly under one music section, broken 2-step, slowed down house, hyperactive footwork, and analog grime’ were just a few we thought of.”
Gary Numan – I Die: You Die (pictured)
“Numan has such a long career that is more than the sum of a few hit singles. This track is one of my favourite lesser known but no less subversive anthem of alienation.”
Tricky – Overcome
“Another man who refuses to be pinned down and always pushes forwards. Nevertheless, for me, this track signifies when Tricky was able to step out of Massive Attack’s shadow and show his mettle as a producer beating the collective’s Karmakoma hands down. His involvement with Convergence will also profile his work as a producer.”
Pantha Du Prince – Lay In A Shimmer (Fata Morgana)
“Another ice cold yet pleasantly chiming track by the shape-shifting Pantha. This time he’s remixed his own track, picking up the pace but still keeping the sound resonant and reverberant.”
George Clinton – Loopzilla
“Although he’s just coming to talk at our festival this living breathing showman, legend, interplanetary being and certified genius is endlessly creative and a joy to hear whichever spacecraft he comes in on. This one is from his first official solo record from 1986”
Matthew Herbert – It’s Only
“We recently interviewed Matthew for our website and he told us that this DJ Koze rework brought this classic Herbert track to fresh ears. And it’s one of the touch points that made him realise that there might be legs in not just pumping out the classics but resampling, subverting and re-contextualising his own innovative work.”
For the full line-up, dates and ticket information head to Convergence-london.com.
