NIGHT OF THE UNEXPECTED - SEP 10 @ PARADISO

Wednesday 01 September 2010 at 08:13 am

Subbacultcha!'s Amit Dey had a good look at the line- up for the upcoming Night Of The Unexpected and put together a list of highlights

Leave your sonic preconceptions at home because this annual festival in Amsterdam is all about seeing and hearing things from a new perspective. The whole of the Paradiso transforms into a non-stop laboratory of experimental sounds, drones, blips and feedback. You may even encounter a few groovy beats along the way, as a cast of Dutch musicians and international stars mix it up in a programme of electronics, dance music, noise metal, classical, jazz and gamelan.


Killl
Featuring members of Jaga Jazzist, Single Unit, JR Ewing and No Place to Hide, this Norwegian live project is regarded as one of the best noise acts in the world. Although steering clear of record releases, their blend of metal, electronics and lighting is mesmeric and brutal. (Video)

Ensemble Mae
One of the top Dutch contemporary music ensembles, performing The Arrest by Yannis Kyriakides. The piece is inspired by a recurring nightmare the French writer George Perec had in 1970.

Knalpot
Heavily percussive Dutch experimental noise rock duo, who’ll be previewing new material at the festival.

Alex Nowitz
Steim’s artist-in-residence, composer and performer Nowitz uses Wii controllers to scatter his electronic sounds.

Gamelan Kyai Fatahillah
Indonesian dance and music troupe showing just how contemporary gamelan can sound. Click here to get an impression.

American Men
Not actually very American, this synth rock group features members of Glasgow’s Dananananakroyd. Rather than shouty, silly guitar rock, they veer from Hudson Mohawke-style beats to explosive post rock and cinematic Boards of Canada electronics. (Video)

Ensemble Klang
Dutch contemporary ensemble who’ll be performing Tom Johnson’s Narayana’s Cows.

Pamelia Kurstin & Seb Rochford
Jazz, rock and weird noise from theremin player Kurstin and percussionist Rochford. (Video)

Project Wildeman
A combination of music, theatre and poetry, telling the story of the savage in the modern city. Directed by Boukje Schweigmanm, its music varies from minimalist to chaotic.

Francisco López
Mutated gamelan soundscapes as the sound artist transforms the traditional music into a dreamy, personal capsule.