It's that time of the year again! From September 22 to 26th our little urban center of Seattle will host the second-largest electronic music festival in the United States, the Decibel Festival, taking place in venues all over the city. Decibel's whole raison d'etre is about being the global showcase for all things electronic, in the most progressive, all-inclusive sense, regardless of genre or style, whether on the dance floor or in the seated auditorium. Showcasing its diversity, the festival is broken down into thematic events, which this year include, but are not limited to:
Three 'Optical' audio-visual showcases featuring ambient, neoclassical, and experimental musics, with a strong visual parallel, often supplied by the composers themselves Ghostly International label showcase featuring the rich roster of this US label, rocking the ambient space, while moving the dance floor in the most intelligent of ways. Australia's Room40 label showcase highlighting the composerly, cinematic experimental music of this Aussie staple. UK's Planet MU label showcase - Delivering on all things bass, rhymes and rhythms, Planet MU is the home of some of the leading artists in what's become known as the 'UK Bass' sound. Red Bull Music Academy has its own showcase featuring the bewildering skills of some of the finest international dancefloor techno, with maven digital graphic artist Pfadfinderei supplying the visuals. The Flylo & Friends showcase highlights domestic producers working the spaces between hip-hop, beats and urban soundscapes. This year there are two 'Decibel in the Park' showcases, free and open to the public in the pastoral green climes of Volunteer Park. The second, on Sunday, highlights the most progressive of the 'UK Bass' sound. And of course the two 'Opening' and 'Closing' galas, Sunday's closing gala featuring powerful dancefloor techno of a 'dub' persuasion, from around the globe.
Artist highlights include German dancefloor mavens Modeselektor, Pantha Du Prince and Monolake; heavy body-quaking bass from the dubstep and grime scenes supplied by Scuba, Plastician, Starkey, and Distance; urban beats and and atmospheres by Flying Lotus, Lorn and Mount Kimbie; and splendorous ambient experimental and neoclassical soundscapes from Murcof, Robert Henke, Tim Hecker, Ben Frost, Fennesz, Oneotrix Point Never, Rafael Anton Irisarri, Grouper and Lawrence English. These and many others, in innumerable genres and styles, will perform in numerous types of venues - from club dance floors, to after-hours lofts, to the symphony hall - through the course of this five-day festival featuring over 100 artists Check the Decibel site for ticket info, full artist listings, bios, showcase descriptions and times. Previous years have seen showcases at capacity (or even sold out at the door), so advance ticket/pass purchase is advised.
