Subbacultcha Spring Highlights

Whilst the heat keeps sustaining and summer is floating by, we look back at breezier days. Last spring welcomed us with the first rays of sun, warmth, and to accompany the season’s flutters, a great array of shows and events. Here’s a recap of an abundance of music, art and audio-visual acts we loved ranging from our own program to beyond.

glimpsePhoto by Pemakit Lepcha

Glimpse returned for a second edition at ISO, bridging music and audiovisual performances, where musicians and visual artists are paired working as a duo for the first time. The large screen invited the audience into worlds of textures, layered visual languages and cinematic visions whilst emotional, captivating musical performances kept us swooning.

corecore x ZenithPhoto by corecore

After building months of steady following through their mysterious record titled FJL on beloved record label STROOM.tv, corecore and Zenith teamed up bringing Felicity J Lord to the Sering for their Amsterdam debut. Sharing the bill with Amsterdam’s up-and-coming KEYNU presenting his new album City Hearts, a b2b made in heaven with iced lattina and TiZi, as well as Zenith and corecore DJ’s, the night delivered on the promise to scratch the itch for polka dot lovers, Soundcloud trap enthusiasts and city skyline dreamers.

glitch404 x angirû present: digital alchemy Photo by Pemakit Lepcha

A day of art, music and dreaming on the Cloud presented by glitch404 and angirû. Within the heavenly high ceilings of the Dozaal draped in colourful fabric, internet explorers were invited to stretch and be pillowed with lullabies delivered by Forever United, ity, Xavior™️, 10sleep, ya3l and ghettelia. Art took all forms: film, installation, sculpture, painting, print, glass, projection, aiding us to alchemise into a soft, immersive landscape.

Minimal Music Festival with Alpha Maid, Leïla Alice and mhm,mhm Photo by Andre Kahveciyan

A triple bill of London, Brussels and Amsterdam based musicians playing the enhanced soundsystem of Minimal Music Festival in Muziekgebouw. Alpha Maid, Leïla Alice and Mhm, Mhm managed to construct perplexing worlds from the most minimal sources. Alpha Maid ranged from a long form string-based introduction of noise to effortless dub with a full band, Leila Alice centralized her voice to sound intimacy in French poetry while coming into close contact with the audience and Mhm, Mhm led us into states of heavy reverberations followed with collaged words and samples while we entered the later hours. A triple bill with only captivating authenticity, showing very diverging ways where music can take one.

The Femcels & Worldpeace DMT Photo by Pemakit Lepcha

At the forefront of London’s recent most exciting musical exports are the Femcels and Worldpeace DMT. How perfect it is to have them share a lineup, seeing as they collaborate on most projects together. The sold out show, full of colourful, quirky outfits and large-rimmed glasses wearers, delivered on the excitement and anticipation the bands’ debut Amsterdam performance promised. Worldpeace DMT’s distorted folk ballads, accompanied by Rowan’s twee voice made us all sway and sing along. The Femcels followed with an infectious burst of energy. Full of non-seriousness, they took their shoes off, jumped in the air and shouted their earnest lyrics, all while play-fighting each other.

Whatever the Weather & BapariPhoto by Sabine van Nistelrooij

Performing with her heart open, the expressive touches of Loraine James’ singular attention feel authentic and abundantly warm at the opening concert of FIBER festival. Under her ambient-adjacent alias Whatever The Weather, her dense drones enmesh you in a drifting, floating soundscape that remains earthy through the organic textures. Suggesting introspection, her performance instead is inviting, bold and open.

Conversely, Bapari – who has caught our ear with the on-the-record expressive and boldly experimental productions – is the one to create an intimate and introspective space in lieu. Their silky vocals with a tinge of melancholy carry a flood of emotions, performed with withdrawn delicacy and softness.

Charlene DannancierPhoto by Gergely Ofner

Brooding, industrial-to-the-core performance of Charlène Dannancier strikes with vulnerability, considered precision, and tension. Subjecting herself into an instrument of her own making, she bows her neck with grand operatic gestures, intercepting her angelic voice with noise. Illuminated by the choreographed movement of four performers shining piercingly cold, sterile lights on her fragile but strong composure standing desolate amidst the open space, her performance at FIBER Festival’s TILLATEC night left a lasting impression.

Released by our friends at Strange Therapy Tapes 

Want more angelic noise, electro-twee and dreamy ambient? Join Subbacultcha community and visit 20 shows like this for only 10€ a month.