OUTLOOK FESTIVAL 2017 (6.9. – 10.9.)

Tags

bass music, croatia, fort punta christo, outlook, Outlook Festival, pula

Outlook Festival is a celebration of soundsystem culture, exploring the musical genealogy that connects Jamaican roots music to its modern day counterparts, through heavyweight soundsystems, in a friendly, warm and inspiring peninsular, sea-side location. There are over 400 acts playing in and around the 150 year old Fort Punta Christo, a 1km stretch of beach, and a world of intimate boat parties.

Outlook Festival 2017

06-10 September 2017 || Fort Punta Christo, Pula, Croatia

Starting as a 600 person convoy to Croatia in 2008 and now one of the leading bass parties in the world, OutlookFestival has been making history since day dot. A four day celebration of all things sound system related, the annual party unites breakthrough acts and founding fathers from the worlds of dubstep, jungle, dub, drum and bass, hip-hop, grime, garage and beyond. Between 6th-10th September 2017, Outlook Festival present a no holds barred lineup set to shake the walls of Croatia’s Fort Punta Christo, as the crew mark a decade in the game. Everyone from Dizzee Rascal, Dawn Penn, Swing Ting, Giggs, The Bug, Calibre, Goldie, LEVELZ, AJ Tracey, Wiley and Madam X play this highly anticipated birthday party, plus the new 20-person Outlook Orchestra performing at the opening concert, and much more.

Recognised as the leading ambassador of bass celebrations and soundsystem culture across the world, Outlook Festival marks an incredible ten years of existence this summer. For this mammoth bill there’s no holding back, as Outlook announce Ghostface Killah, David Rodigan, Roots Manuva, Mad Professor, Shy FX, Loyle Carner, Rockwell, Chronixx & Zinc Fence Redemption Band, Congo Natty, Amy Becker, Alix Perez, Jammz and more all making the pilgrimage to Croatia to join Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Goldie, LEVELZ, Jonwayne and more. Priding themselves on championing both legends of the game and the leaders of tomorrow, Outlook Festival will unite the biggest, baddest and best names from dubstep, jungle, dub, drum and bass, hip-hop, grime and everything in between at their fortress home across the 6th-10th September, and with tier three tickets moving fast, party people wanting to join the celebrations should act now to secure a spot at Outlook Festival 2017.

This year sees Staten Island rap god and Wu Tang member Ghostface KIllah topping the Outlook Festival bill, the rappers favourite rapper known for his extensive solo work, releases with the iconic Wu Tang collective, and recently on Sour Soul, a collab album with celebrated jazz-funk cats BadBadNotGood. Having this OG at Outlook Festival’s 10 year outing is set to be a monumental performance, and there’s plenty more where that came from with don’s Dizzee Rascal, Roots Manuva, Wiley, AJ Tracey, Gentleman’s Dub Club and more all making up live shows not to be missed across 2017.

At the core of Outlook’s foundations is dub and reggae, shaking those custom built sound systems to their core, and for the tenth year they make no exceptions in ensuring there’s an all star cast to represent. Man like Sir David Rodigan returns to ensure correct education, joined by the original rebel Congo Natty alongside family members Congo Dubz & Iron Dread. The pioneering and ever-so influential sound system Channel One also return to the fortress, as well as sonic explorers Benny Page and the iconic Mad Professor, whose musical efforts over the years have ensured the sound of dub reaches new heights and cornerstones across the world of music. A special live performance will see one of Jamaica’s finest roots vocal legends Michael Prophet perform alongside UK reggae-collective Vibronics, whilst new school production outfit Equiknoxx will provide shattering dancehall riddims that step beyond their Kingston foundations. Also joining will be Jamaican new skool reggae artists Chronixx & Zinc Fence Redemption Band, who make a highly anticipated welcomed return across the waters to Croatia.

Dubstep and bass has always been a mainstay of the Outlook bill, and this time heavyweights Youngsta, Gantz, Truth, J:Kenzo, LX One, Distinct Motive and Compa provide low-end weight, supported by legendary MC’s Chunky, Crazy D, and the voice of DMZ himself – Sgt Pokes. Nostalgic garage-swing comes from old-school pioneers Scott Garcia and Heartless Crew’s Mighty Moe, whilst rapidly rising stars Jammz, Nines and Kojo Funds hold it down for the UK scene, ready to jump on mic for any situation. Providing the heat in bass excursions is Conducta, Mr Virgo, Darkzy and rising star Amy Becker, who is joined by fellow Radar Radio associates Jetts, Jossy Mitsu, Mungo and Grade 10 – the versatile 8 strong crew. And a special shout out the MC’s as always – DRS MC, SP:MC, Lowqui, Linquistics, Stamina MC, MC Pean and the rest of the gang. Bass-loving squad Ivy Lab also joined by fellow Critical Records artist Emperor.

An equal bedrock of Outlook structure is drum and bass, and called upon is UK hero and Jungle legend Shy FX, who brings his seminal discography of anthems with him. Considered by many to be Shy FX’s protégé and also one of the most notable breakthrough artists of the scene, Bane is also welcomed to the Croatian shores alongside the genre’s favourite mic controller Stamina MC. Shogun Audio come through in force, with Alix Perez, Icicle, Rockwell and SP:MC all representing, whilst head honcho of the Soul:r label and and a true visionary of the drum and bass scene Marcus Intalex will also step up. UK hip-hop sounds come from UK pioneer Roots Manuva and Loyle Carner.

Of course there’s a place on Outlook’s line-up for some softer sounds, provided by the ever-adored Jorja Smith, one of 2016’s breakout stars. DJ Sets come from Stones Throw’s Sofie, whose eclectic palette of soulful flavours feature alongside the likes of songwriter turned DJs Tom Misch and Dan Kye (Jordan Rakei) whose selections work jazz-infused hip hop experiments over upbeat templates. Other selectors stepping up include Mahogani music signee Dan Shake, NYC upstart Anna Morgan and Bristol boy Gardna. All this on top of the already epic line-up that sees the likes of Dizzee Rascal, The Outlook Orchestra, Wiley, Madam X, Goldie, Newham Generals and more ganged together to mark 10 years of Outlook Festival.

Set in an abandoned fort on the stunning Adriatic ocean, Outlook Festival is the perfect setting for a party and holiday experience, giving the best of all worlds. With blissful sun, sea and a beach specifically for punters to relax before dancing all night long, it’s the ideal way to combine adventure and travel with the very best music you can find. With over 90 artists added to the already immense lineup, the celebration of a decade of Outlook Festival is set for it to be it’s most monumental edition to date.

All informations about Tickets & Camping.

OUTLOOK FESTIVAL: Homepage, Facebook, Twitter, Mixcloud

OUTLOOK FESTIVAL 2017

OUTLOOK FESTIVAL 2016

DAYME AROCENA – CUBAFONIA (Lp)

Tags

brownswood, cuba, cubafonia, dayme arocena

With Cuba poised to become more connected to the rest of the world, the Cuban people’s pride in a unique musical heritage has never felt more vital. Arising from that lineage, Daymé Arocena has returned to deliver an ambitious second long player; rooting her compositions in Cuba’s classic rhythms, Daymé encompasses the rich, diverse musical make-up of her home whilst looking outward too – to the world she has spent the last two years traveling.

It’s her most polished, fully realised project since meeting her mentor (and record label head), Gilles Peterson, in 2012. Benefiting from Gilles’ expansive vision as a DJ, broadcaster and promoter, Daymé has been nurtured to this point by the Havana Cultura project – a platform for contemporary Cuban creativity driven by Havana Club rum.

First, there was 2014’s Havana Cultura Mix album, which introduced her to working with electronic producers for the first time. She then accompanied Gilles in his journey through rumba culture for the expansive Havana Club Rumba Sessions project, which produced a feature-length documentary along with an album – using her distinctive vocals – of rumba reimaginings and sample pack. As a solo artist, she released her debut album Nueva Era to critical and popular acclaim in 2015, with an EP of cover versions, titled One Takes, released in early 2016.

The reception to her music has spurred a whirlwind of opportunities: she shared an off-the-cuff live moment with Roy Ayers and Brazilian superstar Ed Motta to leave Worldwide Festival in tears of joy, jumped on stage with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson at his triumphant Suite for Ma Dukes show at the Barbican, and rung the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange with a delegation from Women of the World. She has played shows from LA to Tokyo, charming audiences with her mesmerising vocal range and earthy sense of humour. She name-checks Kendrick Lamar and Anderson Paak as artists she would love to work with.

Despite all that, however, it’s not distracted Daymé from a deep sense of seriousness about her art form; born of a uniquely musical culture, she strives to forge a cohesive musical language from Cuba’s distinct musical dialects. Growing up in a two-bed house with 21 other people, every available surface was scuffed from the rumba rhythms which had been played out on them. It’s a childhood typical of a country where children grow up readily exposed to the island’s numerous, particular rhythms.

That immersive upbringing forms the record’s starting point. Entering one of Havana’s prestigious, state-funded classical conservatoires at age 9, that rigorous classical training has informed an interconnected vision of Cuban music, where inspiration comes from the Caribbean island’s different rhythms and styles – from Guantánamo’s fast-paced changüí, to ubiquitous guaguancó and ‘70s-style ballada. Sung mainly in Spanish, Daymé drops into English (and even tries out a little French) when the mood takes her. Produced alongside Soundway artist Dexter Story, with string arrangements from Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, this is heritage music for modern-day citizens of the world.

Interviewing Daymé at the Sound of Cuba showcase at SXSW last year, NPR wrote, “It is hard to imagine a better voice to open her country’s gates” – and it feels like this statement holds true. Ambitious, hardworking, and hungry for cultural exchange that doesn’t compromise the unique flavour of her home country of which she is so proud, it feels like 2017 could be a monumental year for Daymé. She possesses a clear sense of her music’s intermingling influences: “We don’t have this native culture,” she explains. “We don’t have indigenous people, like Maya or Quechua. They made a country with people from everywhere – that’s what makes Cuban culture so different.”

DAYME AROCENA: Facebook, Bandcamp

BROWNSWOOD: Facebook, Bandcamp

DAYME AROCENA – VALENTINE

DAYME AROCENA – IT’S NOT GONNA BE FOREVER

DAYME AROCENA – MAMBO NA MA

DAYME AROCENA – TINY DESK CONCERT

DIMENSIONS FESTIVAL 2017 ( 30.8. – 4.9.)

Tags

croatia, dimensions festival, fort punta christo, pula

Fresh from a milestone five years last summer, Dimensions Festival can now reveal plans for it’s 2017 outing, with it’s heaviest bill of live acts and selectors to date. You’ll find the all-powerful, all-magical enigma Grace Jones headlining the opening concert, alongside Moderat, Yussef Kamaal and Moses Boyd, plus over 80 more names including Jeff Mills, Theo Parrish, Floating Points, Cymande, Nina Kraviz, Danny Krivit, Ata Kak, Hessle Audio, Levon Vincent and more bringing sonic explorations from house, techno, soul, disco, jazz, dub, R&B, world and beyond. Set across five days between 30th August to 4th September in an abandoned fortress home,Dimensions Festival is an essential date in the diary for any electronic music aficionado.

Dimensions Festival 2017

30th August – 4th September

Fort Punta Christo, Pula, Croatia

Each year Dimensions Festival unites a solid-gold line-up for it’s Opening Concert held in Pula’s stunning amphitheatre space, with Massive Attack playing to 8,000 fans at last year’s event. 2017 will be just as  monumental, with the iconicGrace Jones headlining; an artist who has been defining culture in the art and music for over thirty years. Also on the bill is Berlin super-group Moderat, comprised of Appartat & Modeselektor, plus Brownswood’s cosmic sound adventurersYussef Kamaal, and award winning drummer, composer and producer Moses Boyd, presenting his Solo X show.

The Dimensions team annually curate a dream combination of acts from local legends to internationally revered artists, and always deliver the highest quality programming. 2017’s edition sees one of techno’s founding fathers Jeff Mills step up for his Dimensions debut, along with king selector and Soundsignature head honcho Theo Parrish who’ll bring a blend of Chicago cuts. Berghain resident Marcel Dettmann returns with his trademark techno, then Floating Pointsplays twice across the week, with a special live show journeying through his own productions, and one eclectic and expansive DJ set in true FP style. Without a doubt, another highlight are celebrated 70s funk band Cymande, who’ll play the classics with the full team, plus multi-instrumentalist funk lord Shuggie Otis, and enigmatic Ghanian rapper Ata Kak. On the darker end of the spectrum, twisted experiments come from selector Nina Kraviz and breakout star Helena Hauff, who has cemented a place as a leading light in the underground community with releases on Ninja Tune, K7! and more. More left-leaning sets are in store from Dan Snaith aka Daphni, Joy Orbison and the Hessle Audio team (comprised of  Ben UFO, Pangaea and Pearson Sound) representing for the bass and techno contingent.

Known for welcoming a weighty contingent of the best in crate-digging DJs to the Adriatic each year, the Dimensions bill includes the finest names in house and techno. Cherished selector and producer Levon Vincent will bring a statement selection of deep, dusty house to the fort, whilst Ostgut Ton affiliate Tama Sumo and Uzuri boss Lakuti make up the perfect DJ tag team with a b2b set, then vinyl-addict and Chicago stalwart Sadar Bahar, Rush Hour’s Antal and London mainstays Horse Meat Disco join. Club Der Visionaere resident Binh makes a welcome addition, known for his expansive sets spanning house and techno flavours, plus there’s a special appearance from Studio 54 resident and scene mainstay Nicky Siano. Further cosmic grooves come from Detroit’s Luke Hess, Dimensions favourite’s Sassy J, genre-voyager Josey Rebelle and Clone Records boss Serge. An unmissable set from activist and ://about blank? resident Resom is also sure to be a highlight.

More sonic, intergalactic sounds are in store from Sushitech duo Paul St Hilaire & Rhauder, electronic explorerConforce and Amsterdam’s new kid on the block Interstellar Funk, whose raw, unique productions have seen him emerge from a new wave of talent originating from the city. Also serving up a chunk of electronic funk is Hypercolour artist Gary Gritness with a live show, and Darker Than Wax’s Kerem Akdag, a music man with a striking blues and soul signature to keep your ears out for.

Live shows are in abundance at 2017’s edition of Dimensions Festival, with a rare outing from German electro duo Dopplereffekt, revered soundtrack artist Alexander Robotnick and Modern Love’s Demdike Stare. Also find sets from neo-soul legend Amp Fiddler, Ninja Tune poster boy Romare, who’ll join the dots between beats, world and funk in his show. Composer and modular synth enthusiast Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith plays a rare festival show, whilst  award winning drummer Moses Boyd brings a fresh take on percussion. On the beats focused tip there is rapper jonwayne and soulful breaks from MNDSGN, plus dancehall flavours from Equiknoxx all down as part of Dimensions sixth outing. DnB, jungle and dub comes from face of EXIT Record’s dBridge, Alix Perez, Metalheadz artist Randall and Doc Scott, Skeptical,Kid Drama and the all important Mungo’s Hi-Fi.

Jazz, funk and world music is a key part of any Dimensions line-up, and this year is no exception. The dreamier side of jazz and funk sounds are represented by South London crew Yussef Kamaal, who perform at both the opening concert and the festival. Moko Shibata aka Powder brings slick grooves with a world flavour, then Dj Okapi adds south African pop to the bill. You can also find nostalgic, dusty blends from Worldwide FM’s Thris Tian, NTS’s Sofie, Touching Bass’sAndwot, Stamp The Wax’s Harri Pepper and Aaron L, Balamii’s Sam Lloyd plus sets from Onemind, Leo Leal,KAMMA, Bane, Mafalda, Donna Leake and Heels & Souls.

All info’s about Tickets & Camping.

Follow DIMENSIONS FESTIVAL: Official page, Facebook, Twitter

DIMENSIONS FESTIVAL 2016

RESIDENT ADVISOR @ DIMENSIONS FESTIVAL