2020 is definitely not a good year for artists, clubs, festivals or arts in general. Because of the lock-down generated by the Covid-19 pandemic clubs are closed and festivals are canceled every week. Sadly, two of the most interesting electronic music festivals had last year their last edition, Nachtdigital near Leipnitz and Strange Sounds From Beyond in Amsterdam. But, here are the electronic music festivals that we recommend this year in Europe. Hopefully the lock-down will not close this summer and some of these festivals will go on.
mira
Faugust – Devotions (1984 – 2006) [MIRA009]
Spellbinding new side project from Sigha. Following his latest Avian release, James Shaw now unveils his Faugust project with a 10” title on the Avian sublabel Mira. Emotive and highly personal, Devotions (1984 – 2006) shows a side of Shaw’s sound that has been largely buried since 2004, combining his experience as a guitarist with many of the sonic approaches that characterise his best known music today. Over the course of four tracks it layers pulsating bass and synth lines with melodic flourishes and a pop sensibility not seen in his other work.
Covered In Sand – Crescent Shapes Scars [MIRA008]
The release features three abrasive noise workouts. Thud of drums and ritualistic rhythms define the opener Luarica on the A-side alongside a near-melodic whine that stays present throughout the tracks. Orapa (An Interview) on the flip swallows and evokes scuffed voices of a conversation, striving into isolation, while Venetia resumes the haunting rhythm and layers of distortion.
Covered In Sand – Heaven’s Gate Suicides [MIRA003]
Shifted unveils yet another cloaked figure with his Covered in Sand project, the first release on the Avian sub-label Mira following two impressive turns from the mysterious Bleaching Agent. The title track to Heavens Gates Suicides is saturated in overdrive with cloudy Regis and BMB influences evident. Vatican Shadow remixes “Heavens Gates Suicides” adding subtle musicality to his version, almost throwing the track out of sync with it’s awkward snare hits – if you can call them that. “Russian Gold & Blood Diamonds” is like a beatless Severed Heads piece pulling desperately at your heartstrings while “Pale Skin” is another electronically shambled scuzz of hollowed hisses and jittery sound design.
The Hipodrome Of Music 