Only UK appearance of seminal art-punk pioneers Wire. Also on the line-up are the truly mind-blowing Brooklyn-based conceptual outfit Dirty Projectors, Dadaist disco refuseniks The Chap and Skeletons and The Kings of All Cities whose shimmering melancholia kicks off what promises to be one of the highlights of Futuresonic 2008. 

// Wire

Forged from the fires of the Punk movement, Wire are regarded by many as the definitive post-punk/art-rock band. Like the Velvet Underground, these musical visionaries have become better known for their immense cultural impact rather than their record sales. Influencing bands from The Cure and REM to The Futureheads and Fischerspooner, Wire’s legacy is very much alive and still kicking a gaping hole through to the darker side of rock. Headlining at Futuresonic in an ultra-rare UK appearance, Wire remain as potent as ever and promise to deliver one of their legendary and explosive live performances.

http://www.pinkflag.com/

// Dirty Projectors

Having won many hearts on their recent European tour, Brooklyn-based conceptual mastermind David Longstreth and his chums constitute that rare beast: mind-blowing musicianship with a total lack of pomposity. We could call it 'afro-beat-freeform-new- wave containing the most outrageous harmony singing this side of Prince”, but really, nothing will prepare you for the intense beauty of witnessing this band perform.

http://www.myspace.com/dirtyprojectors

// The Chap

Celebrating the imminent release of their third album, “Mega Breakfast”, London refuseniks The Chap return with their Dadaist disco rock road show, which moves the multi-layered detachment of their recordings into the realms of hard Rock‘n’Roll immediacy. Cello/violin improv freakouts, dance routines, distorted R’n‘B hits-in-the-making and corporate motivational anthems sung by rousing choir are all in the mix.

http://www.myspace.com/thechap

// Skeletons and The Kings Of All Cities

Currently touring Europe for the first time, Skeletons, a New York-based collective, are experts in grooving melancholically as their cousins Animal Collective. Their shimmering, multilayered music contains references to all things post and kraut, but invests them with a new warmth. Wistfully longing anti-songs played by a bunch of very talented freaks who would evidently rather risk death than genre categorisation.

http://www.myspace.com/skeletonsandthegirlfacedboys



Futuresonic is an international festival of Art, Music and Ideas now in its 12th year occupying the orbits of both digital culture and music. Join us for 5 days and nights of live music, exhibitions, club nights and events featuring a world-class programme of over 300 artists at 100 events in 30 venues and spaces across the city-centre.

The 2008 theme is The Social - Social Networking Unplugged, the first comprehensive and creative look at social networking by an art festival.

 

Art - New artworks by Thomson & Craighead, plan b, Grennan & Sperandio ...

Music - RZA as Bobby Digital, Venetian Snares, Flying Lotus, Chrome Hoof ...

Conference - Gerd Leonhard, Richard Stallman, Dopplr, Sarai, Last.fm ...