Brum The Noise - Supersonic Festival 2024 preview
As far as small British music festivals go, Supersonic's reputation is top-tier. Over the last 2 decades, the Birmingham-based event has played host to hundreds if not thousands of the world's top experimental and independent musicians, giving early exposure to the likes of LCD Soundsystem, The Bug, and Sunn O))), as well as major platforms to Coil, Psychic TV, Merzbow, 65daysofstatic, and virtually every key proponent of global experimental music of the last 30 years. All while maintaining its independence in a world of Live Nation and AEG.
Of the names you might already know, the festival's 20th edition (it would have been 21 if not for Covid) plays host to Will Oldham, aka. superstar of US alt-country Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Japanese grindcore veterans Melt-Banana (right), and electro-folk renaissance woman Elizabeth Bernholz, aka. Gazelle Twin, all of whom will undoubtedly give must-see performances.
Glance further down the billing though, and some other incredible names appear.
Senyawa. Photo by Arnold Simanjuntak.
Top of my list is Senyawa, a virtually indescribable Indonesian duo for whom I had the honour of opening a couple of years ago. Their 2022 set ranks as one of the best I have ever seen, mixing their own handmade instrumentation with Javanese folk traditions and industrial sounds into something genuinely unique, and quite epic. Supporting their current album, Vajranala, this promises to be very special indeed.
Furthermore, I am particularly keen to see the likes of Welsh goth rock newcomers Tristwch y Fenywod, whose eponymous debut is one of my favourites of the year so far; UKAEA (no relation to the real one), with a mix of post-apocalyptic aesthetics and intense techno; MC Yallah & Debmaster, deferred from last year due to visa issues, blending punk and trap beats with Ugandan rhymes; Mary Lattimore, who is bringing her harp over from LA for some stunning compositions and instrumental storytelling; Daisy Rickman, channelling the folklore of her Cornish homeland into beautiful songwriting; Dame Area, bringing industrial beats and distorted synths over from Barcelona; and Smote, the Newcastle drum'n'flute psych group who gave a great performance at their label's event in London last year. Take a look at the full lineup below.
Have I missed someone vital?
Let me know in the comments.
Supersonic takes place between 30 August and 1 September in the Digbeth borough of Birmingham, with the last few tickets still available, and I will be there for the duration for In Spite Magazine. Expect coverage of shows, talks, and everything in between - ghost song choirs; Stuart Maconie hosting a pub quiz; metal meditation with Do.omyoga; conversation between Throbbing Gristle’s Cosey Fanni Tutti and actor/DJ/dinnerlady Maxine Peake; and the rooftop erection of standing stones…
Expect the unexpected.
Buy tickets here
onemanunderground.co.uk
PS. This will be my first time in Birmingham. I hope it’s everything Telly Savalas says it is…
With thanks to Lauren at Rarely Unable
