Jeff Mills at WIRE Festival
There are many great techno artists, but there’s only one Jeff Mills. Perhaps more than anyone else, he embodies the genre’s most radical, forward thinking and undiluted qualities. From his early years as the co-founder of Underground Resistance, his DJing has been marked by a blinding intensity and creative vision that marries virtuosic technique (check his skills on the TR-909) with an Afrofuturist sensibility, exploratory philosophy and a painterly touch. It’s safe to say that techno would have taken a very different course without his staggering influence, and it was an honor to have him headline.
RUSH
Even we were blown away by the debut edition of RUSH. The new brainchild of GeGa Japaridze and Téa Abashidze, the bookers of BASEMENT (and recently named as two of “the most powerful New Yorkers you’ve never heard of” by New York Magazine), RUSH was designed to reinvent the space, bringing festival grade production and pushing for impact and scale. In this, it succeeded beyond our expectations. Headlined by I Hate Models alongside Héctor Oaks, KYRUH and Como So DJ, the night brought out thousands of ravers in search of adrenaline, thrills, experience - in a word, a rush. The music, crowd, lighting and visuals were more than the sum of their parts, confirming what we’ve always suspected this venue is capable of. Don’t believe us? Have a look for yourself.
Model/Actriz at Outline
August’s Outline went all in on trippy, freewheeling indie rock, post-punk and live/electronic hybrids. The entire lineup - including Crumb, Palm and more - brought their A-game, but Model/Actriz stole the show with some wild crowd antics. Vocalist Cole Haden is known for his fearless performances, and their set saw him plunge into the crowd full force, mid-song. Barging through the audience, extra-long microphone cable dragging behind him, he led everyone in a climactic crouch-down/jump-up maneuver. It was a more wholesome iteration of the moshpit, or perhaps just a moment of communal revelry amidst the band’s lacerating chaos.
Laraaji at Outline
Interest in Laraaji’s music has surged in recent years, but you get the impression he would be doing the same thing regardless of accolades or attention. The former comedian turned new age artist is one of the most significant voices in the ambient / spiritual music world(s). He was famously discovered by Brian Eno as a street musician in the early 1980’s, leading to the album “Ambient 3: Day of Radiance.” This year, Numero Group released the sprawling and essential “Segue to Infinity” box set, cataloging a body of work that marries resplendent, shimmering tones with an urgent, free-jazz infused intensity. His live sets have only increased in power over many years of performance, and his set at Outline, alongside Makaya McCraven, Standing on the Corner and Liv.e, was as soulful and deep as it gets.
Tiki Disco in the Ruins
Tiki Disco returned for eight glorious free outdoor parties in the Ruins. What can we say? These parties rule. Eli Escobar, DJ Lloyd and Andy Pry are some of NY’s best and most consistent DJs, and they get a party started like nobody’s business. The “disco” in their name is more of a mood than a genre directive. Tiki pull from well beyond the late ‘70s, but their generous spirit and well-honed technique calls back to the spiritual principles of disco. Soulful, cathartic, freaky; they’re the real deal.
New Sound System by L-Acoustics
We’d be remiss not to mention that in 2023, we massively upgraded our soundsystem. While our previous system had been lovingly custom designed for us by one of NY’s most renowned speaker designers, we nonetheless required an upgrade. Enter France’s L-Acoustics. The system they designed for us is of the highest quality and is built to handle any possible configuration. It’s a major step up, hitting as hard for electronic artists like Bonobo and Ben Klock, hybrid acts like Tangerine Dream or James Blake, or live indie groups like LCD Soundsystem. Our Main Hall, Atrium and Ruins stages are now 100% L-Acoustics. Additionally, we had Funktion-One over to set up and calibrate our side room, which operates during WIRE and other sprawling, full venue takeovers, and STUDIO as well. Every room now sounds huge, clear and dimensional.