Dates: 14th – 20th September 2015
Location: Tilburg, Netherlands
Over the last decade Incubate has become an essential event in the festival itinerary of anyone interested in experimental and independent culture. Showcasing more that 200 cutting edge artists, it is a 360 degree arts hub: visual arts, debate, film, contemporary dance and, of course, music are all part of the bill spread over venues ranging from pubs to churches and even a farm.
Alongside legendary names like Cabaret Voltaire, Neneh Cherry and Mercury Rev, there is a host of younger talent such as East India Youth, Happiness, Factory Floor and Hookworms. And that’s just the acts that may be familiar to the UK audiences! One of the biggest treats of going to a European event is a chance to experience new sounds that don’t tend to make it across the channel.
This being a Dutch event, there is plenty to see and hear from across the lowlands. Joining forces with Fog Mountain Records the Ghent-based dance label R&S is presenting groundbreaking upcoming European electronica including Dublin producer duo Lakker, dark percussive beats of Amsterdam’s HOEK, melancholic dreamy beats from the underground Dutch producer Lemontrip and dark techno distortion from Shadowed.
Describing themselves as ‘disintegrated design for the avant-garde soul’ another Belgian label, KRAAK, is offering the best of uplifting electronics and avant-garde in the form of Camargue, Bow Aether Group, Afghan Gold and Köhn.
Like Incubate festival itself, psychedelic neo-folk shamans Kiss the Anus of a Black Cat are always evolving. For their recent creative explorations the band is diving into more analogue electronic synth to create a darkwave and gothic rock sound. Their Incubate performance is going to feature selected bands like The Soft Moon and Hand of Dust that fit their new sound perfectly.
Formed in 1979 and originally known as an anarcho-punk band, The Ex, have since secured their musical reputation releasing over 20 albums blending punk, free jazz and folk music from all over the world. They will also be bringing some of their friends along for the performance on the final day of the 2015 festival.
With bands like Wand, The Warlock and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, all shifting shapes of psych are given a fair play. The latest addition is an evening billed as ‘heavy psych’ orchestrated by the local psych-rock stars Radar Men From The Moon. Their mind-mangling line up includes the likes of noise rock monsters Shit & Shine, cosmic electronic dance duo Happy Meals and self-styled ‘wavering mutant disco’ Dwelling & Druss.
Looking further afield, Austrian Music Export is returning to Incubate with a special program introducing pop flavoured ambient drone from UMA, Viennese smart indie kids M185 and new wave infused psychedelic pop from Vague among other acts.
The Brisbane based label Bedroom Suck reflects suburban living in the bands they sign and this Incubate they host a special evening featuring the likes of colourful psych characters Blank Realm, boisterous post punks Terrible Truths and lo-fi pop of Rites Wild.
Other collaborative events across the festival include the champion of emerging artists, Berlin-based Unknown Precept label presenting underrated electronic productions ranging from rhythmic noise to industrial and techno music. To top this friendly extravaganza the boys from Nightbirds are offering an evening filled with girl power and special surprises from La Luz, Peach Kelli Pop and Fuz.
More information about the line up and tickets can be found HERE
