That mysterious picture now has some names to go along with it – Sugar Mountain festival has announced the first round of artists in their lineup.
And it’s… interesting. Strange. Eclectic! Diverse. All of these things. It features Virgo Four, an old school house music duo from America who pioneered the Chicago house movement in 1989.
Also from the US is Aa (pronounced Big A Little A) who have been pumping their "intensely stylized DIY maximalism" (not sure what that sounds like) in New York clubs for a few year snow. They’ve got multiple drum sets, heaps of synths and shouting. Experimental and loud.
The last American act are Yellowfever, who play beautiful minimalist art-pop from Texas. Texan art-pop! Fascinating. It’s their first Australian tour since they were born in 2006.
The Aussie contingent includes Perth’s Canyons, the amazing electronic wizard also known as Qua (with the Ritmo Giallo Ensemble, a fleet of drummers), Sydney’s Collarbones (praised by both Pitchfork and our own singles reviewer Simone), those everpresent party peeps Rat Vs Possum, Oscar and Martin (of Psuche fame), indie girls singing avant garde art pop Otouto (along with No Lights No Lycra dance troupe), our mates The Twerps (currently in SXSW), jazzy, evocative, mysterious Brous and the loud and punchy No Zu.
There’s also a huge visual arts program curated by Pete Keen, with support from No Vacancy Gallery. Among many otheres, Thomas Campbell (from America too) will do a live painting, and Kit Webster and James Wright will do a live projected visual and light show to some of the music. There’s a re-enactment from David Byrne‘s True Stories and an adventure through time, space and ’70s Australian cinema scored by Footy.
There’s more to be announced so keep an eye on their website. Tickets are available now from Ticketmaster and are $55+BF. It all happens on Saturday April 30 at The Forum.
