Lost Village, nr Lincoln
Taking place this weekend in an ancient abandoned village deep within the woodlands, Lost Village promises a brief gear change for the serene Lincolnshire landscape. As one of the first new festivals to risk a downpour in 2015, they’re first past the post in terms of lineups offering a mix of guaranteed crowd pleasers and household names such as Jamie Jones, Annie Mac and Hannah Wants, among somewhat more esoteric bookings. Four Tet, a man unafraid to to drop a 1970s African percussion import in a packed tent, is joined by psychedelic house champion DJ Koze, with the latter’s oddball label mate Die Vögel playing live, hopefully planning to channel his mind bending, Werner Herzog-sampling opus The Chicken. Leon Vynehall and San Soda, fresh from his unexpected success off the back of a Tesco swimwear advert last summer, are just two more of 50-odd artists setting up camp.
Secret location, Sat & Sun
JT
Rinse, London
One of the weirdest crossover moments for techno of late was the sight of Surgeon – the Brummie producer whose work sounds like acid rain hammering on a gun factory roof – supporting Lady Gaga on her European tour last year. “THIS SHIT IS SO INCREDIBLE” spake Gaga on Instagram, and indeed it was: a live techno improvisation with fellow knob-twiddler Lady Starlight, with cantering bass kicks, snare attacks and curls of metallic melody. They’re now heading to the only slightly less likely environs of Ministry Of Sound for another set together, and are joined by some other outsider techno talent. There’s Objekt, who continues Aphex Twin’s aesthetic of rave bangers made weirdly cerebral; Perc, who recently celebrated 10 years of his eponymous industrial label; Sigha, whose new 12-inch sounds like the wind whipping round a forgotten gulag; and Lee Gamble, creator of extraordinarily resonant tracks where the mates you once raved with seem to brush past your shoulder.
Ministry of Sound, SE1, Sun
BB
Subculture x Clone x Rush Hour, Glasgow
The Netherlands’ dance scene took a hard knock this year, when renowned Amsterdam club Trouw closed its doors. Some scenes might be left badly bruised by losing a superclub, but the Dutch thrive off a close-knit underground, thanks to the two label/stores at the heart of it: Rotterdam’s Clone, and Amsterdam’s Rush Hour. Their selections in the racks by day and in record bags by night have made respective owners Serge and Antal celebrated DJs, and having them play at Subculture is a warm nod from the UK’s longest running residents, Harri and Domenic, whose parties have been sinking that steady 4/4 house beat deep into Glasgow’s skin for over 20 years.
Sub Club, Sat
LM
Love Saves The Night, Bristol
As Love Saves The Day takes over Bristol’s bank holiday weekend, there are plenty of after-parties to tuck into. For one of them, Love Saves The Night have joined ranks with Trap magazine and Who Cares to showcase a lineup headed by David “Ram Jam” Rodigan. As the original reggae selector and with an MBE to his name, it’ll be the perfect chance to witness the producer’s 35-year experience in the industry. With room takeovers from Durkle Disco and Dutty Girl, Motion will be providing a platform for a selection of bass-heavy party anthems and choice dub cuts.
Motion Skate Park, Sun
SM
Way Back Here, London
Another killer Way Back Here lineup with two Yanks peddling the kind of beautifully smudged deep house that has dominated the underground for half a decade, and still won’t quit. Terekke, playing live, is known for a stellar string of 12-inches on LIES, culminating in his new ’un which is perhaps the poppiest thing the label has ever put out: smooth, ambient and vocal-driven, though the tape is still all chewed up. Floridian Greg Beato, another LIES alumnus, supports with a few stompers and some shamelessly retro acid.
Dance Tunnel, E8, Sun
BB
