In 2024, Ars Electronica Nightline will focus on innovative club music from Switzerland and offer a unique platform for Swiss artists.
Guest post by Holger Hörtnagl / Producer Performances and Schärer Nicholas / Co-Curator
From hyperpop to rap to techno – with the support of the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, this year’s Ars Electronica Nightline once again presents various artists from Switzerland who are creating innovative music in the midst of global challenges. The performances promise not only musical highlights, but also a powerful message of transformation and set an example for renewal in the industry with creative and trend-setting sounds.
Internationally acclaimed musician and artist Aïsha Devi released her latest studio album ‘Death is Home’ on the British label Houndstooth in 2023. Her most personal work to date is an adventurous journey through hyperpop and club music: overdriven synths meet driving rhythms and ethereal vocals.
The evening opens with Congolese-Austrian music producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Kimyan Law. His sound structures traverse genres of fractal drum’n’bass, hip hop, rap, ambient and sound design. Making use of percussion and string instruments and a variety of everyday objects and sounds, the audiovisual implementation will be especially exciting.
Musician and rapper Nathalie Froehlich impresses with her incredible stage presence: her unique blend of rap, techno and reggaeton promises an energetic set in the Gleishalle, where she navigates through the thunderstorm of beats with sharp-tongued lyrics.
Zurich musician Belia Winnewisser released her latest album ‘The Essence Of’ on the Frankfurt label SPA in July. Together with German visual artist Subrihanna, she offers her audience an ethereal experience in her live sets, in which towering harmonies are released in great pop moments before being washed away by club beats in the next moment.
Noria Lilt from Fribourg is a very busy person: in addition to her activities as a DJ, producer and sound artist, she is also involved in SMEM (Swiss Museum and Center for Electronic Music Instruments) and is part of the scene radio station TRNSTN. Her debut EP ‘The Insiders of the In-Between’ brought her to the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Bad Bonn Kilbi, the undisputed best music festival in Switzerland.
DJ NVST is one of the rising stars of the international club scene. In the last two years alone, she has played her signature mix of breakbeats, industrial, techno and acid at venues including Berghain and Tresor in Berlin, Garage Noord in Amsterdam, the Positive Education Festival, Dekmantel Selectors and Primavera Sound. She also runs the label ‘Big Science’ together with Warzou and is a resident on RinseFM and LYLRadio.
You can find more information about the Ars Electronica Festival 2024 “HOPE – who will turn the tide” here.
Presented with the kind support of the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.