Roadburn 2020 Makes First Announcement with Curators, Commissioned Pieces and Lineup Confirmations
History has shown that Roadburn has never been shy about taking chances and embarking on a creative progression, and Roadburn 2020 certainly seems to follow suit. Confirmed as curators are Emma Ruth Rundle and Perturbator‘s James Kent, who will no doubt each bring something very different to expand the festival’s already spectrum-encompassing sonic palette, and there will be three commissioned projects, one involving Kent, another Jo Quail and still another a collaboration between Bismuth and Vile Creature. Sounds pretty “out there?” Well, “out there” is what Roadburn does at this point, becoming the place whereby the new normal is established and promulgated while the rest of us try to keep up.
This is the first announcement and there will for sure be plenty more to come. Roadburn unveiled its gorgeous poster art last week — I friggin’ love it — and promise a year that will challenge convention and continue to push into new territory of and beyond what “heavy” means and can accomplish. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Tickets on sale next month. Here’s word from the PR wire:
Roadburn Festival 2020 – Curators, Commissioned Projects & More
– For the first time, Roadburn Festival will have two separate curators
– Three commissioned projects for 2020
– Julie Christmas
– Tickets on sale September 24
CURATORS
Each year we give over a slice of Roadburn’s line up to a carefully hand picked curator; they put their distinctive stamp on a corner of the festival and make it their own. For 2020, we have not one but two curators stepping up to the plate. Operating entirely separately, and connected by little more than their common association with Roadburn Festival – and of course their insatiable appetite for creativity – Roadburn’s 2020 curators are limbering up to deliver something special. Expect the unexpected.
CURATOR: EMMA RUTH RUNDLE
Emma has left such a mark on the festival, and the wider musical landscape over the past few years; we’re honoured to invite her back to Roadburn as a curator – a new role for her, but one that she is more than ready for. Her expansive creativity and curious explorations have already led her towards collaborations – both live and on record. Her musical taste is broad and in keeping with Roadburn’s desire to explore the many facets of heavy music.
CURATOR: JAMES KENT (PERTURBATOR)
Few artists have straddled metal and electronic audiences as effortlessly as Perturbator. With personal tastes deeply rooted in metal, and an output that pulsates with digital slickness, James Kent embodies everything that is exciting about dark synth music today. His refreshing approach to creativity and his ability to explore heaviness in innovative ways makes him an ideal candidate for Roadburn’s 2020 curatorship role. We’re thrilled to have him on board. Read more about James’s curation here.
COMMISSIONED PROJECTS
2020 marks the third edition of Roadburn during which we will host specially commissioned pieces of music making their worldwide debut. Already, Roadburn’s commissioned projects have spawned ambitious, life affirming, bone-trembling ensembles that exceeded our expectations and wildest dreams. 2020 is shaping up to continue where we left off, with yet more innovative and exhilarating collaborations. Roadburn’s commissioned projects are made possible thanks to the continued support of Brabant C and The City of Tilburg.
JAMES KENT & JOHANNES PERSSON
Our 2020 curator, James Kent AKA Perturbator is set to join forces with Cult of Luna’s Johannes Persson for a commissioned performance that will form something of a grand centre-piece for Roadburn, and of James’s curation.
Their open-mindedness in relation to creativity and composition is well documented in their individual back catalogues, and for the first time we’ll witness what their combined efforts will look, sound and feel like, come April 2020. A hypnotic build of atmosphere and layering is likely to feature heavily during the performance; cinematic ambiance and enveloping emotional soundscapes are coded into their DNA.
JO QUAIL PRESENTS THE CARTOGRAPHER
Jo Quail dipped her toes in the intoxicating waters of Roadburn back in April when she performed alongside Mono, At The Gates, and Myrkur. She may not have been centre-stage but her contributions were not unnoticed; Jo conveys enormous emotion via her passionate and extraordinary cello playing.
With an intention to explore heaviness, Jo’s focus is exploring the juxtaposition between classical and more contemporary music, in this case post-metal. “Arguably heaviness is an emotional concept, reaching far beyond the confines of volume, speed and instrumentation,” Jo says. Jo will join forces with Rotterdam’s highly regarded New Trombone Collective – a group of trombonists who pride themselves on innovation, creativity and collaboration – to work towards communicating specific feeling through their combined output.
VILE CREATURE & BISMUTH: A HYMN OF LOSS AND HOPE
An overwhelming response to both bands at Roadburn 2019, coupled with our own insatiable appetite for creativity and innovation has led to us inviting VILE CREATURE and BISMUTH to collaborate on a specially commissioned project for Roadburn 2020. Titled A Hymn of Loss and Hope, the collaborative piece will be performed for the first – and the last – time at Roadburn. A literal once in a lifetime chance to see these incredible forces combine to perform a piece that is already brewing and a-bubbling as you read.
JULIE CHRISTMAS
Julie Christmas has one of the most distinctive voices in alternative, discordant music – and it’s a thrill for us to announce that we’ve not heard the last of that glorious voice at Roadburn. From Made Out of Babies, through Battle of Mice, as a solo artist, and as a collaborator with Cult of Luna’s on their stunning 2016 album Mariner, Julie has left a distinctive, subtle but indelible bruise on our record collections.
Her back catalogue is varied but all branded with a distinctive Christmas flair, so whichever route she takes, it’s a rabbit hole that we’re ready and willing to follow her down. At Roadburn 2020, Julie will perform a special, exclusive set comprising of both old favourites and new material. Read that again: new material. Joining Julie as part of her backing band will be Johannes Persson and ex-Kylesa guitarist, Laura Pleasants.
OFFICIAL POSTER ART: DOUWE DIJKSTRA
Last week we unveiled the official poster artwork for Roadburn 2020. Created by Dutch artist, Douwe Dijkstra, the poster very much sets the scene for Roadburn – exploring new musical landscapes and embarking on a voyage of discovery.
ROADBURN 2020 TICKETS
Tickets to Roadburn 2020 will go on sale on Tuesday, September 24. More details will be made available in the coming weeks.
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