Back together, like electronic music-worshipping brothers in arms, Antoin Lindsay and Aidan Hanratty deliver this week’s Rave New World, looking at some of the very best electronic gigs, tracks, releases and mixes of the week.
GIGS
Twitch Present: Bicep at Mandela Hall, Belfast
Friday, July 17
The last time Belfast boys Bicep played Mandela Hall for Twitch it was a sell out, so expect this to be no different. The duo have cemented themselves as the city’s most prominent global dance music force for a very good reason. Considering how electric Belfast and Twitch atmospheres can be, a homecoming show will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the year. This one will be really, really busy so if you’re planning on heading down tonight, get there early. AL
NTWRK Present: Brame at The Nerve Centre, Derry
Saturday, July 18
Sligo isn’t widely known for producing top quality dance music, but Brame has been bucking that trend of late. You can catch him tomorrow at the Nerve Centre in Derry, where NTWRK will be rejigging the layout a bit to make it feel that bit more intimate. Good times for your Saturday night. AL
Epoch x G.I.A.F. present I-F & Automatic Tasty at Factory – Electric Garden & Theatre
Saturday, July 18
There are plenty of international heroes coming to Dublin for Longitude this weekend (Carl Craig, Todd Terje, Mumdance, The Chems) but true royalty will be in Galway tomorrow night. Famed Dutch electro maestro I-f is the man behind the celebrated Mixed Up In The Hague series, and his two-decade career shows no sign of slowing. Catch him alongside Wicklow producer Automatic Tasty. AH
Scavenger with Scratcha DVA & Lee Bannon at The Twisted Pepper
Thursday, July 23
Whopper booking from new night Scavenger. Scratcha has been on the scene for a minute, the Rinse DJ needs no introduction. Lee Bannon is newer to our ears though, capturing our attention with the stunning Main/Flex last year. His beautiful new album, Pattern of Excel, eschews the complex rhythms and pummelling bass of its forbears, but we’re sure he can still bring the party. AH
TRACKS
Fetty Wap – My Way [Murlo Remix feat. Gemma Dunleavy]
New Murlo heat, and once again he’s enlisted Irish vocalist Gemma Dunleavy for this remix of Fetty Wap’s My Way. I love the original, and I still regular spin the Murlo and Gemma Dunleavy EP from last year, so this ticks all the boxes for me. Murlo’s sparkle and Gemma’s charm are both here as expected and I hope there’s more to come from the pair, they should be tearing up the charts by now. AL
Obey City – Airy feat Kelela [LuckyMe]
Probably my favourite vocalist in electronic music right now, Kelela in any form gets me very hyped up. She’s teamed up with New Yorker Obey City for this track on his EP for LuckyMe and it’s an absolute beaut. AL
Boxcutter – Login Fanfare
Barry ‘Boxcutter‘ Lynn just dropped this short and sweet release, and ‘Login Fanfare’ stands out, not least because of its exceptional title. M1 vibes, footwork percussion, organ chords. It’s lush. AH
Big Dada Sound: Offshore – ‘Off Peak’
Rattling percussion and synth work that’s at times squawking and beautiful, this one is a posthumous release from Scottish producer Offshore AKA Ewan Robertson, who died in 2012 while undergoing heart surgery for Marfan syndrome. He had performed in grunge bands, worked at Big Dada as a graphic designer (working on album covers for Wiley and Bonobo among others) and was working on his self-titled album at the time of his passing. Three years on, the label has put together the full body of work, as well as commissioning remixes from artists like Lockah and Ikonika. Proceeds are going to the UK’s Marfan Trust too. AH
RELEASES + MIXES
Objekt – Live at Freerotation 2015
The reason for my absence last week from the column is that I was at Freerotation. Don’t remind me that I was there this time last week because I’ll probably break down and cry. If you’ve encountered me for any period in the last year or so you’d have heard me proselytise about the brilliance of the festival and how Objekt’s set last year was the greatest clubbing experience of my life (really). I obviously wasn’t the only one impressed, as this year he was given the honour of closing the festival, and I had the honour of witnessing it myself. The set is genuinely astounding and I’m glad it’s surfaced so soon so people can share in my joy. A set of boundless energy and fun balanced with thoughtfulness from one of the very best in the business. AL
M.E.S.H. – Piteous Gate LP [PAN]
In my opinion, probably the strongest electronic LP of the year so far on a label that’s been quietly killing it lately. M.E.S.H. has delivered an engaging and dystopian record that’s in equal parts alluring and bewildering. Tracks like ‘Epithet’ take cues from grime amongst other things but it’s probably doing an injustice to try and pigeonhole it as anything in particular. You can stream the whole thing on Soundcloud so give it a go. AL
Only For Robots 080 – Soramimi and Cory James [Dusk Notes]
New York’s Dusk Notes bosses provide a mix of dank tones and grinding nightmarish techno grooves. Hellish. AH
Lafawndah – FACT X MoMA PS1 Warm Up Mix 3
Lafawndah (pictured) may not be from New York, but this mix for MoMA should take you there, by way of throat singing, dancehall, and post-modern hypothetical club constructions. AH
