Second Wave of confirmations for MUTEK Barcelona

Blind Passes Sold Out, Individual Tickets On Sale, Passport Prices Increase January 22

The icing on the 9th edition of MUTEK Barcelona features a sensational offering of Québec-based audiovisual artists in the A/Visions program, a bold mix of veterans and new names to round out the parallel rooms at Nitsa for the Nocturne series, special projects at the Fabrica Estrella Damm and a run of pop-up events in collaboration with Movistar that spotlight interactive robotic installations.

Alexandre Burton & Julien Roy (artificiel) (CA/QC) / Bliss Signal (UK) / Dafoe (ES) / DJ Fra (ES) / Galera (ES) Herman Kolgen (CA/QC) / Marc Piñol (ES) / Maurice Fulton (US) / Olde Gods (ES) / Oma Totem (ES) / Porter Ricks (DE) / Sonic Robots (DE)

A/VISIONS by Jägermusic

Where the first A/Visions program is a sonic cinema with the evocative almost-pop of Colleen and the delicate jazz underpinnings of Waclaw Zimpel, the second in the series, taking place at Barts Theatre and presented by returning partner Jägermusic, turns around Québec artists who specialize in multi-sensorial audiovisual works. Montréal-based duo artificiel present the European premiere of their brand new work of custom software, real-time audiovisual wizardry and charming theatrics, Three Pieces With Titles. Herman Kolgen unleashes his visual and sonic interpretation of an epic Steve Reich piece as Trains Fragments, with a full ensemble of Catalan percussionists on stage.

The previous collaborations between MUTEK and Jägermusic consisted in programming artists from the emerging local scene. For this edition, the focus is on supporting the festival's curating criteria for the A/Visions 2 program at Barts. A program focused on promoting the audiovisual innovation of artists from Quebec, Canada and that is also presented with the support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.

NOCTURNE

The two rooms at the esteemed Nitsa for the Nocturne events on Friday and Saturday are throbbing with live sets, including from dub-tech pioneers Porter Ricks who make their Spanish debut Friday night in the big room with Beatrice Dillon and Zip. On Saturday night the Astin room is filled with house, funk and swing and a rare set from the legendary Maurice Fulton who will join reggaeton impresario DJ Python for spicy beats everywhere.

The family of Spanish and local artists joining the fray include, Nitsa resident, and co-founder of the label What.if, Dafoe who opens Friday, and Marc Piñol, considered one of the best DJs in the city for his versatility and chops, plays with festival favourites Olde Gods, whose set will act as a release party for their brand new album on Atomnation. Saturday, DJ Fra delivers a set of cerebral electronics before the Raster.Index takeover, and in the Astin, Galera promises psychedelic jazz-pop atmospheres replete with live sax, modular synth, drums and vocalist , while Oma Totem dishes out disco and fresh house on the same bill.

EXPERIENCE by Estrella Damm

The Experience Program at Fabrica Estrella Damm adds a Spanish premiere from acclaimed duo Bliss Signal, (British producer Mumdance and Irish artist WIFE) who exploit their collision of influences to mix guitar washes and electronics. The full, eclectic lineup at the Fabrica promises both reflection and revelation, with details for a second stage outdoors to be announced soon, along with the daytime conferences and other surprises.

#SESIONESMOVISTARPLUS

In the lead up to the festival and during, MUTEK is excited to partner with Movistar FOR Pop-Up Events taking place in their cool stores and venues. Centred around robotic and interactive works by the artist Sonic Robots, the public is invited to experiment with the rhythms and mechanics of Soft Manipulator on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th March. On opening day Wednesday, MR-808 Interactive, an oversized robotic drum machine programmed by the audience goes live and stays up for the duration of the festival. Special treats, including passports will be available to those who RSVP, with more details on how to participate and register to be released in early February.