AVA’s Emerging Talent Programme returns for 2023 offering a creative opportunity for one DJ, Music Producer and Visual Artist in each category.

You could win:
– A DJ slot at AVA 2023
– Your music released via the record label Extended Play
– A creative workshop with visual artist Kev Freeney

For more info on the entry requirements please visit the links below for each relevant category.
– AVA Emerging DJ
– AVA Emerging Producer
– AVA Emerging Visual Artist

Applications will be assessed by a team of industry professionals including Timmy Stewart (The Night Institute + Extended Play), Holly Lester (Duality Trax + Free the Night) and Kwame Daniels (Bounce Culture + Neo Neo), visual artist Kev Freeney as well as senior AVA Staff.

We welcome applicants from across the UK & Ireland, and we particularly encourage applications from minority groups and individuals that are underrepresented throughout the industry.

Applications to the Emerging Talent Programme 2023 are now closed.

Best of luck to all applicants.

So Neil, what was your approach to this AVA Mix?
Given that this is my first ever recorded mix, I just went with my gut and chose songs that I felt worked well dynamically, without sticking to one particular genre. I’m not a big fan of mixes being too predictable, I don’t like knowing by track 3 what’s going to be in store for the full mix. Despite my love of synthesizers, I opted not to just go with big synthy tracks throughout and it ended up being less melodic than I had initially expected. Thankfully, the tracklist ideas came quite easily and hopefully there are a few curveballs that make for a more interesting listen. Of course, once I finished it, I thought of dozens of other tracks that I wished I had stuck in but I guess I’ll just have to do more mixes soon, scratch that itch. I recorded it using the Xone 92 and a few effects, fuelled by tea and easter eggs.

You’ve been a veteran producer for a long time and only started DJing in more recent years. How has your tenure as a producer informed your craft as a DJ?
I am a complete audio nerd at heart and love timbral layering, so that always inevitably creeps into my sets at different points. Being fascinated with music production and how different sounds compliment or enhance each other always excites me, so I’m happiest when combining different sonic elements in order to present tracks in a way that they maybe haven’t been heard before. Producing music also helps tune your year to the ebb and flow of tracks and so, if I’m doing this DJing thing right, that sense of dynamism should hopefully be present in my sets. Like I said, I’d get bored just playing a load of really similar tracks, may as well just stick on “Now That’s What I Call A Westie House Party 2005” and have a sandwich.

You’ve had some big collaborations lately, including Joshua Burnside who loaned his voice for your track Simmer? How did that come about and do you have any other future collaborations in the mix?
Josh was one of those names I had seen pop up loads of times but had never actually heard any of his music. During the pandemic, I was going through a nightmare time with my greedy landlord who sold the house I was living in, or pretended to sell it, so that he could bump up the rent and evict us, to help further line his pockets. Anyway, my head was melted and so on evening walks with my dog, Mylo, I was listening to music to try to escape the stress. The name of Josh’s latest album, Into The Depths of Hell, and the artwork intrigued me and so I stuck it on one night and it blew me away. I then listened to his back catalogue and it was just one incredible track after another. I reached out to him about working together on a track and he was really positive and up for it and so Simmer was born. 

Vocal features will continue to pop up in my work going forward, I used to be a singer-songwriter many moons ago and so enjoy writing songs that aren’t all exclusively instrumental. I’ll be working with the Enola Gay boys again soon, I have a track underway with Manchester band, Maruja, and a couple of years ago I wrote a track that features Dana Masters, that will be released pretty soon. They’re all quite different from each other so I haven’t a clue what people will make of them.

You recently did an event at Ulster Sports Club, giving it the Mount Palomar treatment, flying in Salomé Pressac to dance alongside you. How was it?
It went really well, exceeded my expectations. Salomé and I are working together on a Mount Palomar music video that I am just finishing off, so we had already formed a good working relationship, having shot in both Belfast and New York. I knew she was incredibly talented and assumed that her performance skills would translate well to a live gig setting but I didn’t know what the reaction would be. Thankfully, the night was a real success and the response from the crowd was extremely positive throughout. Despite it being my first home-soil live show, post-pandemic, the night sold out and Salomé’s performance, alongside the lighting installation by Visual Spectrum, made for an event the likes of which Belfast hadn’t seen before, which was really satisfying.

As a producer you utilise a lot of hardware. In an age when you can do so much with just a laptop what does it mean to you to get hands on with the physical machinery? How has it shaped your journey as an artist?
To be honest, people tend to salivate over hardware too much, myself included. It has taken me years to come to the conclusion that it is no better or worse than software and both absolutely have their place. The amount of time I have wasted trying to get old Soviet synths to work is pretty astounding and I am definitely not as hardware-obsessed as I used to be. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the tactile nature of working with hardware and there are some bits of kit that are incredible and just don’t sound like software but you can make awful music with hardware and make incredible music with software and vice versa. I certainly wouldn’t tell young up and coming producers to go out and buy a load of gear when they’re starting out, the most important thing is how the track sounds and if you can make a banger with Ableton and a tin whistle then who’s to judge?

You also work in a screen printing studio, and curated a gallery-type take over of the National to coincide with the release of your album Brace for Impact. How did you get into screen printing?
By pretending I knew what I was doing. I signed up to a 2 day course at Belfast Print Workshop in 2014 and just paid attention and worked hard on my prints. Then once the course was done, I pretended I had studied screenprinting in Spain for a year and applied to become a member. I must have done ok in the class as they believed me and my membership was instated the following week. I now teach there part-time and printmaking has become a big part of my work as Mount Palomar, allowing me to screenprint my own record sleeves, merch etc… I have some other exciting, large-scale multidisciplinary projects in the works, including the biggest project I have ever undertaken, which is due to launch in London next year.

What were some of your earliest musical influences? Any guilty pleasures?
My first musical memory is singing Frankie Goes To Hollywood ‘Relax’ in the school playground at about age 5. Our idiotic lyrical amendment was “Relax, don’t do it, pick your nose and chew it.” We thought we were being young edge-lords but if we knew what the lyrics really meant, maybe we’d have chosen a different song. I still play Relax in my sets from time to time, it is an absolute tune and I can now enjoy the real lyrics for what they are. Hi Berghain.

Aside from that, I was into Michael Jackson, like every kid in the 80s, then discovered Guns N’ Roses aged 9 or 10, via Elvira’s Heavy Metal Heaven and became a wee metal head. I was into the usual; Nirvana, Metallica, Rage Against the Machine etc… Then, at about age 13 I stole my cousin’s The Prodigy “Experience” CD and so began a fascination with bleeps and bloops.

As for guilty pleasures, I am gay, there is no such thing as a guilty pleasure. Celine Dion, Kenny G, Backstreet Boys; nothing is too shit for these ears.

If you could work or collaborate with any artist living or dead, who would it be?
I’d be in a band with Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone, John Lennon, Kendrick Lemar, Bjork and Chris Whitley and we’d be called The Guilty Pleasuredome.

Is there anything else coming up you’d like to shout about?
Lots but my hands are getting sore from typing so I’ll just say; come see me play at AVA please, come to my next solo live gig in Ulster Sports Club on July 15th and stop listening to hardstyle.

Tell us your favourite moments from AVAs gone by.
I could easily list at least 30 different moments, every year is a whopper but 2018 was probably my favourite so far. The Red Bull Stage on the slope was heavenly, the sets were so good, the crowd were so sound and I remember having many, many moments of “It doesn’t get any better than this!” that year. Can’t wait for the next one and I feel incredibly fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to take part in the festival over the years. 

TRACKLIST

• Moiré ft Demigosh – Know Me
• Odopt – Chaba Waltz
• Blawan – Fawner
• Pleasure Pool – Night Scars
• Joy Orbison – Fuerza
• Phil Kieran – Polyrhythmic
• Moy – Scattered Disc
• Anunaku – Temples
• Moktar – Silk
• Phil Kieran – Scream (Justin Van Der Volgen Remix)
• Niv Ast & Rina – Staccato Sentimento
• Splash Pattern – Furnace
• Joe Farr – Spectate (Max Cooper Remix)
• Blu Terra – 20,000
• Aloka – XTX3
• Tim Karbon – Boiling Mafé Bowl
• Skee Mask – Reviver
• Ourman – Onward & Downward
• Hassan Abou Alam – Breathe
• Moiré ft Demigosh – Know Me
• Doctor Jeep – Push The Body
• Diggerz – Chat Noir

AVA announces individual day lineups and tickets to two of the biggest dates for headline talent in the Irish & UK festival calendar. 

FRIDAY

Friday’s proceedings include CENCH aka Central Cee, the West London rapper who was the most-streamed UK Hip Hop artist in 2022, with hits like ‘Doja Cat’ and ‘Let Go’ he will take to the mainstage in a huge Belfast debut. International house and techno polymath Peggy Gou has joined the bill to blend genres and styles with her amazing headline energy. On a homegrown Irish rap tip there’s Kojaque and returning favorites Overmono will play another electric live set, Job Jobse will make a highly anticipated return to the festival, Héctor Oaks and DJ Heartstring will bring their trademark takes on house, techno, trance and breaks to the AVA agenda, plus many more.

Saturday

Moving into the Saturday and there’s another serious session set for the day, headlined by UK alternative prodigy Slowthai. Fresh off the back from releasing his new album UGLY, Slowthai will his bring raucous, raw live energy to Belfast. Also on board for day two is Hessle Audio co-founder and all round good egg, Ben UFO, plus a very special B2B between two Irish and AVA OG’s – OR:LA b2B Sally C,Also on board for Saturday – they’ll be heavy and hard-hitting bass music mutations from Blawan and KETTAMA, whilst both Eliza Rose, Interplanetary Criminal and Yung Singh & many more.

For its ninth edition, AVA expands its music programming style – pulling together a diverse selection of artists, from their original electronic underground roots to rap, hip-hop, grime, RnB and more across two days, and four unique stages in their Titanic Slipways home. With just two months to go, AVA can now announce day tickets for Friday and Saturday are available from £55 for day passes – tickets available Friday at 10 AM via Resident Advisor.

FRIDAY 

Central Cee​ – ​Peggy Gou – Overmon​o ​ KOJAQUE​  Job Jobse – Héctor Oaks   southstar   DJ Heartstring​ – I.Jordan – ​Jossy Mitsu​ – Pretty Girl Live – imnotyourmate​ – Spray​ – Efa O’Neill​  – Swoose – Carlton Doom  ​Mount Palomar​  ​- Crilli DnB​ – ​Brién​ – ​Caoimhe​ – Nez​ – ​Plain Sailing​ – Dallas​ – ​Cricky​ – ​Blark​ – ​Nikki O​ – ​KEM – Danse Intermission​ – ​Paudie

SATURDAY 

Slowthai – Ben UFO​ – Boiler Room sets: KETTAMA – Eliza Rose – Special AV closing show: OR:LA b2B Sally C –  ​Blawan – SPFDJ​ – KI/KI – DJ Boring – ​Interplanetary Criminal – Yung Singh​ – XCLUB – ​Funk Tribu  Kessler​ – Timmy Stewart – Holly Lester​ – Jordan Nocturne – Emby​ – Marion Hawkes – Twitch​ -​Inside Moves​ – ​Cartin – Cyence​ -Ricky Chong​ – ​Síofra – Reger​ -​Hannah

{PAIRED}- Carousel x AVA – Saturday 29th April
Inspired by the rich and fertile creative terrain where food, music and experience overlap, {PAIRED} is a brand new collaboration with our friends from AVA.

The idea is simple: pair the world’s most exciting chefs with the most respected DJs and musicians and watch as the magic unfolds. Each pairing is a one-off, completely unique to that time and place and the audience who’s there to experience it.

Coming to Charlotte Street on Saturday April 29th, our next event brings together two more inspired Chef x DJ pairings for a simultaneous multi-sensory experience across our two floors.

There’s one 7pm sitting per pairing for just 70 guests at a time, featuring multi-course tasting menus and bespoke soundtracks. At 10pm, 200 more guests will join the party with back-to-back sets from our DJs.

THE LINE UP
Yuji Tani x Elkka
or
Youra Kim x DJ Tennis

Yuji Tani
HOUSE, TOKYO & NYC
Following on from the success of the original HOUSE in Tokyo’s Nishiazabu neighbourhood, Yuji Tani has just opened a sister restaurant in Brooklyn, a labour of love that has been in the works for five years. There Yuji combines classic techniques with the minimalist approach of his home town Kyoto to serve more of the deceptively simple and impossibly beautiful ‘homestyle’ French-Japanese dishes that have made his name as a leading light of the Tokyo New Wave.

Elkka
FEMME CULTURE
Multi-talented London-based artist Elkka is an award-winning DJ, producer and founder of Femme Culture, a record label and collective that champions women in the arts and pushes music that stands for inclusivity amongst all genders, backgrounds and beliefs. Beginning her career as a singer-songwriter Elkka’s genre-spanning music creatively merges house, electronica, percussive beats and soulful vocals and has received critical acclaim and support from the likes of Tom Ravenscroft and Annie Mac.

Youra Kim
PROPAGANDA, COPENHAGEN
“I make authentic Korean food,” says Youra Kim of Copenhagen smash hit, Propaganda. “I’m not really interested in toning down the flavours”. With a killer wine list, infectious house party energy and Youra’s repertoire of “high voltage” Korean crowd pleasers that draw on the flavours of her childhood – think sticky Korean fried chicken and kimchi and pork mandu, swimming in chilli oil – Propaganda has joined the A-list of the city’s must-visit restaurants in no time.

DJ Tennis
LIFE AND DEATH
Manfredi Romano is a former chef turned DJ and producer. Having spent two decades working behind the scenes in music and events, the Italian came to the fore as a DJ in 2010. In the same year, he founded Life and Death records, with a desire to ‘reintroduce psychedelia to the dancefloor’. Performing at seminal venues and festivals across the globe, his dynamic, eclectic sets feature ‘an intoxicating blend of nu-disco, post-punk and UK bass’.

DINNER – 7pm-10pm
£115 pre-paid set menu + after party entry
Book Now
______
AFTER PARTY – 10pm – late
£35 ticket fee – Sets from DJ Tennis & Elkka
Buy Tickets

Official Partners:
Square – Sentric Music – Easol – Volta XR
Resident Advisor – AFEM – War Child/The Right To Dance

Adding to an already impressive festival programme, AVA London Conference can announce the full set of talks, panels and workshops planned for London’s leading electronic music & visual arts conference taking place on Friday 24th February at Printworks London. The daytime session invites industry leaders, artists and game-changers to share ideas, exchange knowledge and grow ideas as it unites music’s brightest minds.

Tickets for the conference are available from £15.

The full programme takes place across four key spaces – Press Halls, Control Room, Dark Room and a Drop-In area, each hosting talks, workshops, and interactive sessions that are built around key themes of:
Innovation, Diversity, Sustainability & The Future.

In the main Press Halls area, the Opening Keynote from 11 AM will be a deep dive with Hot Chip band members Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard discussing their almost two decade journey as one of the UK’s most infamous electronic music duos, crossing pop, synth, electronica and more in their non-traditional productions. AVA’s closing keynote is the newly announced ‘Migrant Footprint’ talk, presented by The Right To Dance & War Child feat. multi-disciplinary artist GAIKA, DJ Nooriyah (Middle of Nowhere) and Eastern Margins founder Lumi, who will be discussing their unique personal and collective stories where migration and music have intersected.

The Press Halls also hosts ‘The Game Changers’, a heavyweight panel with 5 key industry professionals who have each played a role in facilitating a significant shift in the way we think about the landscape of electronic music. With Jaguar (BBC Radio 1) Christie Driver-Snell (Senior Editor, Spotify) Hannah Shogbola (Primary Talent, BEMA), Steve Hogan (WME) and David Boyle (Audience Strategies), a group of individuals who have been involved with prompting a shift – whether via artist promotion, festival curation, streaming or growing technologies such as A.I.

Another addition comes from Resident Advisor – with RA Presents – The Art Of Djing with Courtesy. Courtesy aka Najaaraq Vestbirk will host a live version of RA’s The Art Of DJing video feature series – an insight into her process. she will unpack her craft in front of an audience, demonstrating techniques and answering questions, with the RA Films team there to capture the magic as it happens. This will happen right after a live edition of the RA Exchange Live with Tony Andrews, the founder of Funktion-One audio. The brand is recognised as one the most pioneering loudspeaker manufacturer globally – and proudly championed at AVA’s flagship Belfast Festival.

Digging into the world of venue management and hosted by curator & broadcaster Emily Dust, The Venue Perspective – What makes music work? powered by Square, recruits the brains behind Printworks and 40+ other venues Sam Spencer (Broadwick Live), Scottish venue & festival founder Tom Ketley (FLY Events), Megan Scanlan who heads up Square’s venue & business development team and Michael Gwyther – Senior PM for Peppermint Bars & Events to discuss what it takes to make a venue tick, their audiences & artists to thrive in their environment, and the tech behind supporting that.

AFEM will present a panel exploring Neurodiversity In Music, and how leaders can empower neurodiverse colleagues and artists featuring Jeryl Wilton-Kruger (Infectious PR), Hayleigh Beckles (Triple Threat Management), Jen O’ Neill (Hoare Associates), Saytek (Artist), Sarah Hildering (InGrooves), Esther Oram (AIM / Artist Manager). AFEM will also work with charity EarthPercent to co-present a climate-emergency themed talk titled Music For The Planet.

Sentric Music will return to AVA London Conference for 2023 to present: “Sync State of The Nation” Patrick Cloherty, Head of Sync, Europe at Sentric opens up the conversation with supervisors across all key media types, including TV& Streaming, Film, Ads and more to review the current climate within the Sync sector. The talk will deep dive into changes, trends and key opportunities for producers across the landscape. Alongside this AVA collaborator Mark Gordon (Score Draw Music/Output Belfast) will host an important discussion around “Exporting Music” the strategy for reaching new markets, advice shared from speakers across the industry spectrum, including Sophie Jones (BPI Chief Strategy Officer), Richard Zijlma (Ex-GM ADE) and Amy Becker (XL Recordings).

Lady Of The House is a community celebrating, championing and honouring women in Dance Music through a multifunctional platform. “Past, Present and Future” Hosted by Vanessa Maria and introduced by LoTH founder Laila Mckenzie this talk will feature Lynn Cosgrove (ex-Carl Cox manager), AmyElle (Artist) and Maria May (CAA) delving into the past, present and future of diversifying dance music.

All of these are in addition to a heavy programme already announced featuring SHERELLE in conversation with NIKS (founder of Black Artists Database and co-founder of BEMA) Steel City Dance Discs will host a DIY tape-making workshop where attendees can create their own physical artefacts.

And of course, on the day there’ll be a drop-in area running with our partners Square, Easol, Volta XR, War Child / The Right to Dance, Steel City Dance Discs, Sentric Music, Bluman Associates, Immerse hosting a variety of b2b sessions, meetings with cutting edge technology providers across a spectrum of services, from website and ticketing to visual and processing and more.

AVA LONDON CONFERENCE TICKETS FROM £15 kaboodle.co.uk
AVA LONDON CONFERENCE & AVA PRO £40 kaboodle.co.uk

One of the world’s leading global music events, AVA Festival (Audio Visual Arts) has built a reputation for welcoming a diverse array of global acts to its Northern Ireland home, plus providing a platform for local talent north and south of the border.. Building on that ethos, AVA announce the names for their 2023 edition, including Central Cee, Slowthai, Kettama, Overmono, Eliza Rose, Hèctor Oaks, SPFDJ, Job Jobse, KI/KI, Kojaque, Sally C and more. Returning to their iconic Titanic Slipways location across 2nd – 3rd June, AVA looks forward to welcoming the most eclectic range of sounds the festival has seen to date. Tickets for the festival are available from Friday at 10:00AM, with Weekend, Group & Deposit-scheme tickets available starting from £30 – To get exclusive first access to tickets in our presale tomorrow at 10AM signup here.

AVA Belfast’s programme has evolved – staying true to its electronic roots but welcomes a wider array of sounds to reflect the tastes of its attendees. For 2023, Central Cee headlines – the West London rapper who has exploded for his unique take on UK rap / drill, aesthetic and continuously solid output. The first ever UK artist to achieve 1 billion Spotify streams in one year, the first UK rapper to achieve such a feat, Central Cee is one of the most vital artists to break through in recent years – and his performance at AVA will be one of a select few UK & Ireland summer shows. Also joining is esteemed artist Slowthai; whose intellectual, cheeky output influenced by rap, grime, punk, plus unforgettable performances have gained him a reputation as a solid talent. Representing the Irish squad is Soft Boy Records boss and Irish prodigy – Kojaque.

G-Town records boss and party starter Kettama joins the infamous AVA Boiler Room stage for an unmissable performance, plus AVA solid faves Overmono return for a live main stage show consisting of a euphoric blend of rave, trance, and breaks – following a highlight set at the festival in 2022. On top of that, there’s esteemed selectors and producers Job Jobse, KIKI, SPFDJ, I.JORDAN and many more.

An AVA first timer is Eliza Rose, the artist behind the UK “people’s anthem” and Number One record B.O.T.A. Eliza will be joined on the line-up by her production partner  Interplanetary Criminal, bringing good-time vibes, garage and more. Hector Oaks will also make an appearance, the revered party selector and resident at some of the world’s most loved parties Bassiani (Tbilisi), and Herrensauna (Berlin.)  Also on board are rising Berlin trance due DJ Heartstring and plenty more.

As always, there’s a stack of local legends on board to showcase the health of the current Irish movement including Holly Lester, EMBY, Jordan, Carlton Doom and plenty more. Kessler and IAMNOTYOURMATE both also rep for Irish acts, and after their electric performance at AVA’s NYE special, both sets will be hi-energy highlights on the bill.

AVA found its perfect home at the industrialist Titanic Slipways, and the team are excited to head back after a success. There’ll be adaptations – new indoor areas, arts spaces, bars, maximising the space in the heart of Belfast’s shipping area. For visitors, AVA is an opportunity to experience the Belfast craic in a way like no other – with the locals, in an incredible space, with the extended AVA family. Flights arrive into Belfast from most major cities and there’s plenty of hotel options.

AVA has grown into an essential event for culture in Ireland – pioneering the first large-scale multi-stage event to represent a modern Belfast, promoting the growing community in Northern Ireland and beyond. AVA support local artists with a platform along with some of the world’s most celebrated musicians, and also opportunities for work, education and networking. AVA has created an inclusive, vibrant, and celebrated space for talent to be nurtured from their DJ competitions to work programmes. We look forward to another year with AVA at the centre of Ireland’s thriving music movement.

‘At AVA, we are committed to evolving as both a festival and a cultural movement, with a mantra to never stand still. 2023 marks a moment where AVA is evolving as music and cultural tastes change. It moves with the moment whilst staying true to its origins in electronic music. It’s where multiple artforms converge to create memorable moments for music fans and electronic arts enthusiasts. Our commitment to design, festival experience, high production levels and amplifying local talent is as strong as ever, and we can’t wait to bring you our next AVA Belfast edition this June!’ – Sarah McBriar, AVA Festival Director 

Returning to Printworks as part of the venue’s final season, we can reveal plans for the innovative AVA London conference taking place across the daytime of Friday 24th February 2023.

The programme will be led with a selection of talks, workshops, and interactive sessions that are built around four key themes : Innovation, Diversity, Sustainability & The Future. The key conference themes will be broken down into a range of topics and panels within our current electronic music industry, from creativity to diversity, shining a light on working with neurodivergency through to Web3’s role within audio-visual art.

Other participating speakers will include: Jaguar (BBC/BEMA), Heléna Star, (FoundationFM/BEMA), Niks (Black Artist Database/BEMA), Hannah Shogbola (Primary Talent, BEMA), Steve Hogan (WME), Simeon Aldred (Broadwick Live), Lynn Cosgrave (former Acting Management for Carl Cox, John Digweed), Maria May (Head of Electronic at CAA), Laila McKenzie (Lady of the House), Tom Ketley (FLY Events), Tristan Hunt (AFEM) plus many many more.

As always, there will be live interactive sessions, such as hands-on masterclasses, demonstrations and workshops, Australian born label Steel City Dance Discs will host a DIY tape making workshop where attendees can create their own physical artefacts. Overall this will contribute to a carefully curated programme, providing an educational and inspiring experience for conference attendees and delegates. Tickets for the conference are available from just £15 – and can be purchased from Kaboodle here.

Global payments and technology provider Square will join AVA as a new leading partner for 2023. Square makes technology that helps sellers more easily run and grow their businesses with its integrated ecosystem of commerce, staff, customer, and banking solutions. As part of this partnership they will host a special panel talk built around venue and festival operations with industry experts.

A key part of the AVA London agenda is the Keynote interviews, where a selection of carefully curated artists and industry professionals will impart wisdom, insights and their own stories to the audience. For 2023’s edition of AVA London, Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard will step up to discuss their experience as one of the UK’s most infamous crossover electronic acts, fresh off the back of selling out multiple Brixton Academy shows. Hot Chip have been pushing the boundaries of pop, electronica and synthpop since their debut in 1995, and this will be a rare opportunity to hear them discuss their journey.

After launching ‘Beautiful’ last year esteemed DJ and Hooversound label boss Sherelle will sit down in conversation with Niks (founder of Black Artists Database and co-founder of BEMA) to discuss the motivation behind the project. Beautiful is a label/organisation that offers resources (such as classes, workshops) for black and queer artists, inspired by Sherelle’s own experience within the industry and a drive to share her own knowledge.

Technology, music and art have always grown together, whether that’s from music production techniques to pushing the boundaries of live arts, visuals and creativity within the music industry. AVA London has always been inspired by cutting-edge technology, and are pleased to host a talk around this topic. Firstly, ‘How is technology changing the way we create, view and collect art?’ featuring David Rudnick, will discuss topics such as the metaverse, digital art, NFT’s and more. Another panel will explore Neurodiversity In The Music Industry, looking at how leaders can empower neurodiverse colleagues and artists. This session will be led by AFEM, presenting the results of their research with a selection of experts and artists.

Resident Advisor will curate an edition of the RA Exchange Live series with Tony Andrews, the founder of Funkton-One audio and Turbosound. A pioneering force in the professional audio industry since its formation in the early 1970s. Over the years, Andrews’ sound systems have been enjoyed by millions of people around the world. From the very beginning of Glastonbury to Pink Floyd and Frank Zappa tours, Roger Waters’ Berlin Wall Concert and, more recently, at Space Ibiza, Cielo New York, Resistance Ultra Miami / Privilege Ibiza, Berghain, Lost Beach Club, Carl Cox’s Awesome Soundwave at Wembley Arena and, of course, AVA Festival.

AVA London will also have a Drop In Area which will host a range of brands from labels and charities to tech and equipment. Networking activities will increase with space for meetings and industry catch-ups – aimed at generating business and attracting talent. Further information will be released closer to the event.

Built around on four key themes: Innovation, Diversity, Post-Pandemic & The Future – AVA London will provide a space to host important conversations around these topics. As the live industry moves into new spaces in 2023 in both technology and creativity, AVA’s London event will take a look to a bright future with insights and expertise from prominent professionals, experts and artists.

Last remaining tickets for the conference and club are available on the AVA website.

To close out 2022 we’re launching our all-new club series at Banana Block, Belfast – starting with Boxing Day + New Year’s Eve!

Our clubbing concept @ Banana Block is simple:

✚ A ground-stacked central stage.
✚ The crowd surrounding the DJ booth.
✚ Brand new strobe lighting system, augmenting the venue’s distinct warehouse aesthetic.
✚ A four-point surround sound system..
✚ A focus on unique DJ sets and back-to-backs.
✚ Clubbing with community at its core.

Boxing Day comes in the form of three artists with top-tier releases on the Feel My Bicep imprint; Hammer, Cromby & Swoose in a B2B2B bonanza. Support comes from up-and-coming party-starter DJ Time of the Month.

Meanwhile New Year’s Eve sees three hometown heroes return to AVA to bring in 2023 in true Belfast fashion. We’re buzzing to dance right through the holiday season with this excellent selection of local legends.

Tickets available here:
https://avafestival.com/tickets/

Belfast-born and London-based, Nikki O’s DJ sets blend genres from breakbeat & ukg, to the bassier side of techno. With sets at clubs and festivals both in the UK and Ireland, including AVA Festival, Wigflex Festival, and Village Underground, she’s played alongside the likes of Kettama, Interplanetary Criminal, D. Tiffany, and more.
She also produced “Dancing for Peace”, an award-winning audio documentary, about the roots of dance music in Belfast – featuring some of the local scene’s most prominent voices.

The audio from this mix is a section taken from a live recording of her party-starting set at AVA In The Woods at All Together Now earlier this year.

You can catch her monthly residency on London station Subtle.

______________________________

This mix is a recording of your set at All Together Now 2022. What were your key takeaways from the festival?

It was such a nice festival. My key takeaways were: The venue was beautiful, EMA is an amazing DJ, as are Long Island Sound, and white claw is the ultimate festie drink.

You’re absolutely smashing it on the British airwaves with Radio 1, Subtle and 1020. How does it feel to be tipped as “The

Mad! Biggups Phil Taggart for saying that. I fell into radio almost on a bit of a whim, I was doing my PhD in Microbiology and was looking for a bit of a creative release. I just loved tunes and wanted to talk about them, so I tried out for my student radio station. I had a radio show before I could even DJ, I used to just fade songs in and out in the beginning. It’s been such a blessing and it’s a lot of fun. 

You produced an award winning documentary about the Northern Ireland dance music scene during The Troubles. Can you tell us a little bit about it?

It’s an audio documentary that chats about dance music’s role in bringing communities together in Northern Ireland. It mainly discusses this role during the later stages of the troubles, which has been covered by TV docs & articles before too, but I also wanted to bring it into the context of today to see: did it make a lasting difference? And does it still make a difference? It was scored by the amazing Paddy Carser (PercBoi 3000) which really brings it to life. MistaJam ended up singing it’s praises which was really cool and kinda mad.

You’re currently London based, how does the scene there compare to back home?

I think they are very different. London is just so huge, the choice of venues means you are never short of somewhere to go and it has the benefit of better licensing laws which allow parties to go on to 6am and sometimes even 24h. The abundance of community radio stations is also great too. However I think there’s something very special about Belfast’s scene and that’s all down to the people. Crowds in Belfast are just a level above, everyone’s always up for it. There’s also a benefit to a scene being small as everyone knows each other and it’s generally super friendly. I think if the powers that be truly supported the night time economy, Belfast would thrive & become a nightlife destination. It’s why initiatives like Free The Night are so vital.

Tell us favourite moments from AVA’s gone by.

Ohhh so many to choose from. Hubie Davidson in the Boiler Room in 2016 playing Floorplan – We Magnify His Name is always a stand out memory. Was with all my pals and it was just such a fun feel good moment. From this year just gone, Matheson’s Boiler Room was so good, and Jordan’s set was also a stand out – tunes were class and the sun was just setting over the hills, another proper feel good moment. Getting to play the last 2 years was also super special as it really is Techno Christmas for Belfast.

What were some of your earliest musical influences? Any guilty pleasures?

I wish I was one of those people who said they grew up listening to really cool and obscure records, but in reality my teens were spent listening to clubland CDs mixed with pop-punk (I consider going to Avril Lavigne’s Under My Skin tour a seminal moment in my life – don’t judge). I think I’ve a super varied music taste now, I like and play a fairly wide breadth of genres within the electronic music sphere (which I hope comes across in this mix!). This maybe stems from listening to so many different genres growing up. I also used to play the Tuba and like to joke this is why I’m drawn to such bass-heavy music nowadays lol.

If you could work or collaborate with any artist living or dead, who would it be?

Mary Anne Hobbs – a living legend. Her 6 Music show is amazing, she just seamlessly goes from like Slipknot into techno into some obscure RnB B side, it’s such a trip. Her Radio 1 show was also legendary.

Any pro tips for surviving the incoming dark nights?

I’m probably not a great person to ask as I HATE winter! But taking multivitamins to make sure I get enough vitamin D. I also try to always go outside at lunch time to at least see some sunlight. Aside from that, I wrap up in one of those wearable hoodie blankets and remind myself that Spring will be here soon enough.

Anything else you’d like to shout about?

You can catch me on Subtle Radio every 1st Wednesday of the month, I’m joined by a different guest each month. Also bringing back Suckin’ Diesel, my radio show with Kurty, so watch out for that soon!

This latest AVA Mix comes from R.Kitt in the form of a live recording from our AVA in the Woods stage at All Together Now Festival in July.

Robbie is an energetic DJ, versatile producer and passionate night-life advocate. The Orainn label head is an avid lobbyist for Give Us The Night, campaigning for a better night life in the South of Ireland. The Dublin-native has seen releases on imprints like Night Tide and Dansu Discs.

We’ve had the pleasure of hosting Robbie on the AVA stage on a few occasions over the years. He brought his emotive and punchy energy to our Boiler Room, a stellar set in 2021 and a highly memorable stream for our AVA Online Weekender.

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This mix is a live recording of your set at AVA in the Woods at All Together Now. What were your key takeaways from the festival?
I really enjoyed the buzz with the crowd. Everyone at the gig seemed to be so into it! You can often hear the sound of people chatting but it felt like people weren’t talking too much and just dancing. Got the buzz from the entire weekend that people were there to engage with the music. It was very refreshing.

MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER – PART-TIME (3 days per week)
Location: London/Remote

AVA & UP! Productions
About the Company:

UP Productions is an experiential design company specialising in production design, large-scale festivals, conferences & event curation. The core goal of the company is to instigate innovation, collaborate with artistic talent and develop culture through creative arts, music, design and discussion.

The past ten years have seen AVA grow from a one-day, 1,500 capacity showcase to today’s four-day, 12,000+ attendees, multi-venue celebration of Audio-Visual Arts, in Belfast and the leading music and digital arts conference in London. 

AVA has earned the title of ‘The most innovative Electronic Music Festival’ by the Irish Times, a ‘Cultural Catalyst’ by the Independent and ‘Europe’s Smartest Young Festival’ by RA.

UP! has worked with leading international artists, brands, industry leaders and cultural institutions, including SXSW, ADE, Soundcloud, Abbey Road Recording Studios, Boiler Room, Red Bull Music, Broadwick Live, Hennessy, Patreon and many more.

About the Role:

We are seeking a talented designer to work across our core products; AVA Festival Belfast the AVA London Conference, and AVA Presents standalone events alongside ad-hoc work for our sister agency, UP! Productions. Working closely with the Senior Marketing Manager, you will support all launches and ongoing asset production. 

Your main responsibility will be owning the AVA brand look and feel – including how it shows up across the web, videos, flyers, merchandise, social artwork and partner channels.

What we are looking for:

As our Graphic Designer, you will be a talented self-starter, who thrives working in a fast-paced environment, working within a small team.

You will be a midweight level designer, with 3-4+ years of experience in-house or freelance, who is confident and dynamic. You should have a strong personal style but can demonstrate adaptability across different brands. It’s important you have a strong portfolio and client history.

You will have an eye for detail, strong typographic skills, strong video editing skills, a clear understanding of branding and visual communication. You will become a key part of the marketing & content team. Experience working with 3D animation would be a big bonus.

You will be responsible for:

• Managing our brands and developing their visual identities 
• Creation of promotional materials, including posters, social media assets and motion graphics
• Website management & CMS development (WordPress)
• On-site graphics at our events (signage, maps, branding materials)
• Merchandise design
• Working with external freelancers
• Managing our content archive 

You will require:

• 4 years minimum of designer experience with a strong client history
• Strong typographic skills
• Digital + print experience is essential
• Video + animation experience is required
• Strong personal style but can demonstrate adaptability across different brands
• Agile to work across multiple creative projects
• Software Skills – Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, Final Cut/Premiere Pro
• Motion Skills – After Effects, Cinema 4D preferred
• Experience using Keynote, Google Slides & Figma for Deck & website building
• Basic understanding of HTML & CSS
• Understanding of Image licencing
• A deep understanding of the creative industry, electronic music and our scene
• Strong attention to detail, focus and consistency

Our Values:

• We believe in building from the ground up.
• We believe in going the extra mile. Detail & Design are core to our work.
• We treat our work as an art form.
• We value teamwork and operate as a team.
• We are independent, and we support independence.
• We believe in thinking beyond boundaries.

Application Deadline: midnight on Sunday 27th August

Please fill out this form and then submit a Cover Letter, your CV along with your application task via email to: info@avafestival.com

We are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief or material status.

This year’s whirlwind trip to Belfast for the annual AVA x Boiler Room broadcast was monumental. Watch it all back here.

WELCOME TO AVA 2022

The time is almost upon us.

We’re so thrilled to welcome you all to our 2022 edition of AVA Festival. Once again we’ve pulled together a mega line-up of homegrown talent combined with solid international heavyweights from the electronic music world and beyond. 

This year we return to our spiritual home in Titanic Quarter. We’ve got a new and improved open-air, multi-stage festival against the backdrop of the Belfast docklands. 

Please read this guide carefully for some recommendations on how to prepare for and navigate around the festival. 

The music starts at 1pm each day, full set times inside. See you on Friday!

FESTIVAL APP

Download our all-new Woov festival app via woov.to/ava22 to personalise your timetable, chat with your friends & get custom alerts so you never miss a set.

OPENING TIMES & ENTRY

AVA Belfast 2022 will take place on Friday 3 & Saturday 4 June at Titanic Slipways, Belfast.

The festival will open each day at 13:00 and close at 23:00. 

Last entry to the festival is advised by 6pm.

There will be a strict no re-entry policy.

PROOF OF AGE

This is an 18+ event. You will need one of the following to be permitted entry to the festival:

•  A photo driving licence
•  Valid Passport

Please note we are unable to accept ANY other form of ID, so please ensure you have these in good time, prior to the festival.

TRANSPORT

Titanic Slipways is accessible by foot, taxi and public transport via train/bus with regular services running from Belfast City Centre.

We strongly advise arriving on foot or via public transport, as there is likely to be significant traffic disruption around the festival site.

REUSABLE CUP SCHEME

This year we have introduced a reusable cup scheme and we’re excited to see the positive impact that this will have on reducing the volume of waste we produce as an event.

1. Buy your drink (you will be charged £1 for your first cup*)

2. Enjoy your drink

3. Exchange your cup – when getting your next drink, please bring your cup back to avoid £1 charge. No Cup = £1 charge

4. Don’t take your cup home. Please help us be sustainable. Bring your cup back to the bar or leave at one of the cup bins at the exit.

*£1 charge goes towards the cup scheme and our environmental goals. Non-Refundable

DO’S AND DON’TS

DO BRING:

• Your Ticket
• I.D.
• Money (Cards / Cash)
• Medical Info
• Rain Coat
• Sun Cream
• Suitable Footwear
• Pre-paid bus ticket to Belfast city centre (£3, available from the merch stand) 

DON’T BRING:

• No Alcohol
• Glass of any kind
• Fireworks, flares or high-power torches
• No Illegal or controlled substances (including psychoactive substances) 
• Nitrous oxide
• Dogs or pets are not permitted on site with the exception of assistance dogs
• Drones / sky lanterns
• Portable laser equipment and pens
• Selfie sticks
• Spray cans / marker pens
• Professional film / videoing equipment
• Megaphones / airhorns
• High-Vis tabards or jackets
• Any items which may reasonably be considered for use as a weapon
• No large bags, only small bags permitted

ACCESSIBILITY

ACCESSIBLE ARRIVAL

If you’re arriving by coach, local train station, shuttle, or you are being dropped off at Titanic Slipways the route to the entry gates is approx 200m. Please note, the peak ingress hours which are 12pm until 5pm on Friday 3rd and 12pm until 5pm on Saturday 4th June.

Should you require help with your bags, we’ll have a team of volunteers on hand to help between the car park and entry gates.

Once you have passed the entry gates, you will be immediately inside the festival site. This year our site is a hardstanding site and will be completely level throughout.

ACCESSIBLE TOILETS

All interior festival venues are fully wheelchair accessible. The festival showcase is at Titanic Slipways with the entire public area situated on a single level or with only very slight elevations. We will have an accessibility viewing platform and adequate accessibility WCs throughout the site.

Our accessibility liaison and volunteers will be on hand at each venue to support anyone with a disability at the festival should they need any assistance.

SITE TERRAIN

Approximately 95% of the festival site is on open flat ground.

STROBE LIGHTING

Strobe lighting will be used during artists’ performances at the festival. Due to the nature of this, prior notice will not be given before use.

YOUR WELLBEING & MENTAL HEALTH

If at any point you feel overwhelmed or that you need a safe space, head to the Welfare Tent where the team will be able to help you. We also have a welfare team onsite who you can find around the festival site (in yellow and green uniform). Their primary role is to ensure the well-being of all AVA attendees so if you see one and need some assistance, simply approach them as they’re there to help you.

BELFAST HIGLIGHTS

DRINKS

The Sunflower Public House
Iconic pub with beer garden surrounded by street art. Serving up local craft beers and wood-fired pizza.

Ulster Sports Club
A former dive bar given a new lease of life as a retro leftfield music venue.

Bootleggers
Inventive boozy cocktails and hearty american style street food.

Bittles Bar
Every wall is covered with whiskey and portraits of Belfast’s prominent historical figures. Best Guinness in Belfast.

FOOD

Belfast Wood Fired Pizza Company
Handmade and authentic woodfired pizzas. 

Cú
A delicious taste of Mexico on the Lisburn Road; a fresh and classic menu with their own style.

Al Pastor
Mexican inspired street food in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter offering tacos, elotes, and charred corn.

St. George’s Market
Weekend market with fresh food from local vendors and handmade craft trinkets.

Orā
Out of this world tapas & wine.

Yugo
Colourful flavours of Asia with a unique Irish twist. Fresh vibrant food & classic cocktails.

Morning Martha
Boozy brunch in the heart of East Belfast.

COFFEE

Established
Speciality single origin coffee. Scandinavia-inspired minimalist decor.

The Pocket
Serving high quality fresh food, great coffee in a chilled atmosphere.

ACTIVITIES

Titanic Belfast
A world-leading visitor attraction tells the story of RMS Titanic, from her conception to sinking in the early 1900s.

Black Taxi Tour
Tour of Belfast interface areas, peace walls and world-famous murals.

Ulster Museum and Palm House
Located in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens in the heart of the Queen’s Quarter. Featuring art, archeology, botany, fashion and more!

Jordan Rafferty is a Dublin native and AVA Emerging Producer alumni. We’ve been pleased as punch to see him go from strength to strength since he snatched the crown back in 2018. You may know him as DART (Dublin Area Rapid Trax) a play on the city’s commuter transit system.

In the early days of his Hanger residency he rubbed shoulders with some of Ireland’s most riotous acts, including Kettama, Tommy Holohan and Shampain. Since then he’s seen a string or releases on Shall Not Fade, Hot Flush and even a six track EP on Hammer’s Remmah imprint.

We sat down with the man himself ahead of his return to AVA Belfast, where in just two weeks he’ll step up for another shot at the Boiler Room stage in front of our second to none, Belfast crowd.

______________________________

With just five weeks to go until the return of the mighty AVA Festival, we reveal day splits and tickets for the Friday and Saturday outings at Titanic Slipways, plus an opening event at Banana Block and afterparties across various venues for each night.

Weekend tickets are now approaching final release, and day tickets will be available from 10AM on Thursday. After a sell out festival in 2021, and fresh from another sell out show London’s Printworks, don’t miss the biggest AVA yet this June 3+4th. 

Boiler Room will return to AVA Festival Belfast this June. Kicking off the summer in monumental fashion – the only way a Belfast crowd knows how.

The energy at the Boiler Room stage has been legendary at AVA from the beginning and now going into our 7th year working together, we bring 12 artists to the Nomadic stage – 7 of which are international Boiler Room debuts.

This year the festival will once again take place against the iconic Belfast Docklands backdrop where we first set out, at our new home in Titanic Slipways.

Tier 4 Weekend festival tickets are selling fast, there are a limited remaining before they increase in price. £30 deposit payments will close on Friday, April 8th – don’t sleep on these.

The first contribution of 2022 to the AVA Mix series comes courtesy of Holly Lester. Fresh from her DJ Mag Award nomination for “Underground Hero”, the DJ, label-head and capybara enthusiast provides a warm and wobbly one hour mix of club ready goovers ahead of her AVA Belfast and London shows (tickets available here) – her first ever consisting entirely of vinyl.

It’s been a busy year for Holly, with a triumphant return to gigging as well as a string of powerful releases on her Duality Trax label with more planned this year. Holly is also the co-founder of Free the Night, an advocacy group campaigning for reform to Northern Ireland’s night-time economy, launched in early 2021.

We spoke to her about all this and more.

______________________________

Timmy Stewart a.k.a. T-Bone has been referred to as The Godfather of the Belfast Scene… and there might be some truth to that. Timmy has thrown some of the city’s most revered parties alongside our own Jordan Nocturne as one half of The Night Institute, with an emphasis on showcasing the best in the local scene.

He uses his Extended Play and Black Bones labels as a platform to promote some of the most exciting new talent that the island has to offer and is always one to shout his favourite up-and-coming artists, as you’ll see from his chat with us. 

Catch Timmy at AVA Belfast 2022 on Titanic Slipways this June – if his recent Boiler Room (and secret set at our Baltic stage) are anything to go by he isn’t one you want to miss!

______________________________

AVA X TITANIC DISTILLERS

Use your spend local prepaid card and get an early bird weekend ticket for AVA Belfast 2022 and a bottle of Titanic Distillers Premium Irish Whiskey, saving £10 (RRP £110 for the bundle).

Available for one week only (8—12 November) from Thompson Dock and Pumphouse, Queen’s Road, Belfast, BT3 9DT.

Between 9am & 5pm.

Only Spend Local cards accepted. Proof of ID needed.

A number of items were handed into lost property over the course of the event.

These have been logged and will be available for collection between Monday 27th and Thursday 30th September between 10am to 5pm at the Oh Yeah Music Centre. 

Please email info@avafestival.com to report missing items.

WELCOME TO AVA

The time is almost upon us.

We’re so thrilled to welcome you all to our September edition of AVA Festival. Once again we’ve pulled together a mega line-up of homegrown talent combined with solid international heavyweights from the electronic music world and beyond. 

This year is naturally going to be a little different. We’ve got a brand new open-air, multi-stage festival so please read this guide carefully for some recommendations on how to prepare for and navigate around the festival. 

The music starts at 12 each day, full set times inside. See you on Friday!

OPENING TIMES & ENTRY

AVA Belfast 2021 will take place on Friday 24 & Saturday 25 September at Boucher Road Playing Fields, Belfast.

The festival will open each day at 12:00 and close at 23:00. Last entry to the festival is at 7PM.

There will be a strict no re-entry policy.

PROOF OF AGE

This is an 18+ event. You will need one of the following to be permitted entry to the festival:

•  A photo driving licence
•  Valid Passport

Please note we are unable to accept ANY other form of ID, so please ensure you have these in good time, prior to the festival.

TRANSPORT

Boucher Roads Playing Fields is accessible by car, foot, taxi and public transport via train or bus with regular services running from Belfast City Centre.

We strongly advise arriving on foot or via public transport, as there is likely to be significant traffic delays around the festival site.

AVA will operate a ticketed shuttle bus to the city centre in the evening from 8PM, tickets will be available from the merch/info stall.

The last train from Balmoral departs at 11:15PM.

Anyone arriving/leaving via a private mini-bus or coach should contact us directly via info@avafestival.com

COVID-19 POLICY

We will verify everyone’s COVID status to gain entry to the festival. Everyone accessing the festival must be able to show proof of one of the below. 

EITHER:
Proof of Full Vaccination, with the second vaccine having been given at least 14 days prior to arriving at AVA. This proof will need to be the original Vaccine card, or a Vaccine Passport, or a Vaccine Certificate.

OR:
Proof of a negative lateral flow test result via either Email, Text or a Screenshot of your report to NHS/gov.uk website; signed in your own name. You will need to ensure you’ve taken a lateral flow test within 48 hours of arrival.

OR:
Proof of Natural Covid Antibodies, based upon a positive PCR test within 180 days of the event you are attending including 10 days of self-isolation following the result).

Further information can be found on our COVID-19 page.

DO’S AND DON’TS

DO BRING:

• Your Ticket
• I.D.
• Money (Cards / Cash)
• Medical Info
• Rain Coat
• Sun Cream
• Suitable Footwear
• Pre-paid bus ticket to Belfast city centre (£3, available from the merch stand) 

DON’T BRING:

• No Alcohol
• Glass of any kind
• Fireworks, flares or high-power torches
• No Illegal or controlled substances (including psychoactive substances) 
• Nitrous oxide
• Dogs or pets are not permitted on site with the exception of assistance dogs
• Drones / sky lanterns
• Portable laser equipment and pens
• Selfie sticks
• Spray cans / marker pens
• Professional film / videoing equipment
• Megaphones / airhorns
• High-Vis tabards or jackets
• Any items which may reasonably be considered for use as a weapon
• No large bags, only small bags permitted

BELFAST HIGLIGHTS

DRINKS

The Sunflower Public House
Iconic pub with beer garden surrounded by street art. Serving up local craft beers and wood-fired pizza.

Ulster Sports Club
A former dive bar given a new lease of life as a retro leftfield music venue.

Bootleggers
Inventive boozy cocktails and hearty american style street food.

Boundary Brewing
Weekend Tap-Room from Belfast’s foremost craft beer brand.

Bittles Bar
Every wall is covered with whiskey and portraits of Belfast’s prominent historical figures. Best Guinness in Belfast.

FOOD

Belfast Wood Fired Pizza Company
Handmade and authentic woodfired pizzas. 

Jumon
Asian Fusion restaurant featuring an entirely vegan menu and great cocktails.

Chubby Cherub
Classic Italian cuisine in a striking picturesque premises.

St. George’s Market
Weekend market with fresh food from local vendors and handmade craft trinkets.

Orā
Out of this world tapas & wine.

YugO
Colourful flavours of Asia with a unique Irish twist. Fresh vibrant food & classic cocktails.

Morning Martha
Boozy brunch in the heart of East Belfast.

COFFEE

Established
Speciality single origin coffee. Scandinavia-inspired minimalist decor.

ACTIVITIES

Titanic Belfast
Monument to Belfast’s maritime heritage on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard where the RMS Titanic was built.

Black Taxi Tour
Tour of Belfast interface areas, peace walls and world-famous murals.

Ulster Museum and Palm House
Located in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens in the heart of the Queen’s Quarter. Featuring art, archeology, botany, fashion and more!

The latest edition of the AVA Mix Series comes via DJ, producer, The Night Institute cohort and all around local legend Jordan McCuaig AKA Jordan Nocturne.

McCuaig is a festival regular who is always quick to showcase the wealth of talent in the local scene through his “From Belfast with Love” VA’s and TNI programming, choosing to opt for residents and locals over big international guests. The next 60 minutes of club inspired energy journeys through pumping percussive rhythms and squelching acid house, ominous trance and feel-good italo to seal the deal.

We caught up with Nocturne about what he’s been upto post-AVA including forthcoming music, getting healthy and newfound parenthood.

______________________________

A lot has changed for Jack Hamill aka Space Dimension Controller since he last graced the wheels of steel at (the first ever) AVA Festival, breaking the internet with his unforgettable Boiler Room debut. In the years since, Hamill has been on a journey just as much as we have. After over a decade in the game he’s quit alcohol, launched a new record label; Tiraquon and streamlined his entire production process. 

The fourth edition of the AVA Mix is an hour of out of this world house and techno from the back of the cosmos. It’s a blend of intergalactic bleeps and bloops that contrasts the personalities of Space Dimension Controller and the new-age of Tiraquon.

Ahead of his set at AVA next week, we got together with Hamill for a candid interview about music, process and his current worldview.

______________________________

We will verify everyone’s COVID status to gain entry to the festival. Everyone accessing the festival must be able to show proof of one the below. 

EITHER:

Proof of full vaccination, with the second vaccine having been given at least 14 days prior to arriving at AVA Festival. This proof will need to be the original Vaccine card, or a Vaccine Passport, or a Vaccine Certificate. A list of approved vaccines can be found here. 

OR:

If you are not fully vaccinated then you must be able to show proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test result via Email or Text Message. You will need to ensure you’ve taken a Lateral Flow Test within 48 hours of arrival at AVA Festival. If this applies to you, then follow these steps: 

You can find where to get a free lateral flow test kit here.

1. Take your test within 48 hours prior to arrival to AVA Festival, then go here.
2. Follow the steps to register the test result.
3. You will receive a text message and/or email confirming the test result.
4. On entry to the AVA Festival, show your negative test result confirmation text message or email. 
5. Make sure your phone has plenty of charge on arrival to AVA Festival. If you cannot present your COVID status you will not be allowed to enter. Please also allow for an additional 20 minutes to enter the site as check-in will take longer than normal. COVID status checks will take place at the main entrance. 
6. Be mindful of your responsibility to others whilst travelling to and enjoying AVA Festival. We encourage you to take stock of how you feel each morning and test yourself regularly. We have a shared responsibility when it comes to keeping each other as safe as possible.
   

OR:

Proof of natural COVID antibodies, based upon a positive PCR test within 180 days of the festival (including 10 days self-isolation following the result).

IF YOU FEEL UNWELL WHEN AT AVA FESTIVAL:

We have everything in place to take good care of you. Please help us by heading to the medical point located near the main entrance. 

For more information on COVID safety, please head here.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 using an NHS Lateral Flow or PCR test should self-isolate immediately and follow NHS Guidance which you can read here.

If you are told to self isolate by NHS / HSC Test and Trace over the period you were due to attend AVA, you will need to do so immediately and follow NHS Guidance here.

Under both of these circumstances, you will not be able to attend AVA Festival.

However, all is not lost. We simply ask that you do the following;

1. Check your insurance policies. Many home and travel insurance polices provide cover for the eventuality that you can not proceed with planned events due to a medical emergency.

2. Apply to roll your ticket forward. We want to make this stress free and straight forward, but there’s a few things to consider and get in order before you start;

• The person who has tested positive must complete the below form before 09:00 on Saturday 25 September, 2021. Please do not email us – ONLY use the below form otherwise we will not be able to process your request.
• You’ll need your ticket reference number and your individual ticket barcode number.
• The lead booker of your group must have supplied the test and trace data requested by Resident Advisor our ticket agent.
• If you have tested positive, you’ll need to supply evidence of a positive PCR test. You can order a PCR test to take at home as soon as you test positive via the Lateral Flow Test.
• We will ask for both the full email and the text message confirming your PCR result. We will then arrange a Zoom call to allow the results to be authenticated in real time with the NHS in view to evidence the results.
• If you’ve been asked to self isolate then you’ll need to provide a photo of yourself holding your photo ID alongside a screenshot of the isolation.
• If you have been asked to self isolate then we will again need to set up Zoom call to verify. During this call we will need to see yourself, your photo ID and the NHS communication.

Please note that with the above Zoom verification procedure is not exhaustive and there may be other subsequent actions required to verify your COVID status.

Once you’ve submitted the claim form your ticket will be voided, so entry to AVA Festival will no longer be possible. We cannot reverse this process once actioned. Please make sure you have considered the above.

When you’re ready, the form is here.

COVID TRAVEL INFO 

IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING TO AVA FROM THE SOUTH OF IRELAND: 

In order to gain access to the festival you will need to ensure you have taken a Lateral Flow Test OR a PCR Test within 48hrs of arrival to AVA. You must be able to show proof of a negative result from an approved testing provider. 

• Book and ensure you use an approved provider for your test from the gov.uk website.
• Ensure the test is taken within 48 hours of arrival to AVA Festival.
• Ensure you have a copy of your result with you. Acceptable proof is showing the result on an email or having a hard copy of the result with you. 

We will also accept proof of double vaccination, provided the vaccine is on the UK GOV list of approved vaccines and the second dose has been provided at least 14 days prior to arrival at AVA Festival. More info here.

An acceptable form of vaccination proof is the EU Digital COVID certificate. It must be shown in English. 

PLEASE NOTE: It can take up to 24hrs for testing providers to send results, so please bear this in mind. There are no testing facilities available on-site. 

IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING TO AVA FROM SCOTLAND:

If you live in Scotland, you can obtain your vaccination status here.

If you do not receive your vaccination status in time for AVA please follow the instructions below to register a lateral flow test result.

You can find where to get a free lateral flow test kit here.

1. Take your test within 48 hours prior to arrival to AVA, then go here.
2. Follow the steps to register the test result.
3. You will receive a text message and/or email confirming the test result.
4. On entry to AVA, show your negative test result confirmation text message or email.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING TO AVA FROM ENGLAND:

You can use the NHS app to gain entry to the festival. Persons travelling to AVA from England must be able to show proof of one of the below. 

EITHER:

Proof of full vaccination, with the second vaccine having been given at least 14 days prior to arriving at AVA. This proof will NEED to be shown on the NHS App and not via any other means.

OR:

Proof of natural immunity following a positive PCR test (providing it has been at least 10 days since your PCR test and up to 180 days after taking the test)

OR:

If you are not fully vaccinated then you must be able to show proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test result on the NHS app. You will need to ensure you’ve taken a Lateral Flow Test within 48 hours prior to arrival to AVA. If this applies to you, then follow these steps: 

• Order your Lateral Flow Test here or collect one from your place of work or local test centre (we recommend ordering these ASAP as there may be a shortage closer to the time!)
• Carry out a Lateral Flow Test within 48 hours prior to arrival to Lost Village
• Submit your result on the NHS app
• Save your COVID Pass to the wallet of your Smart Phone

NOTE: It can take over 2 hours for your test result to show on the NHS app. Please submit your result with plenty of time to spare. 

IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING TO AVA FROM WALES:

If you live in Wales, you can obtain your vaccination status here.

If you do not receive your vaccination status in time for AVA, please follow the instructions below to register a lateral flow test result.

You can find where to get a free lateral flow test kit here.

1. Take your test within 48 hours prior to arrival to AVA, then go here.
2. Follow the steps to register the test result.
3. You will receive a text message and/or email confirming the test result.
4. On entry to the AVA, show your negative test result confirmation text message or email.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING TO AVA FROM OUTSIDE THE UK: 

In order to gain access to the festival you will need to ensure you have taken a Lateral Flow Test OR a PCR Test within 48hrs of arrival to AVA. You must be able to show proof of a negative result from an approved testing provider. 

• Book and ensure you use an approved provider for your test from the gov.uk website.
• Ensure the test is taken within 48 hours of arrival to AVA Festival.
• Ensure you have a copy of your result with you. Acceptable proof is showing the result on an email or having a hard copy of the result with you. 

We will also accept proof of double vaccination, provided the vaccine is on the UK GOV list of approved vaccines and the second dose has been provided at least 14 days prior to arrival at AVA Festival. More info here.

An acceptable form of vaccination proof is the EU Digital COVID certificate. It must be shown in English. 

PLEASE NOTE: It can take up to 24hrs for testing providers to send results, so please bear this in mind. There are no testing facilities available on-site. 

All over 18’s registered in Northern Ireland, can sign up for a free £100 prepaid card from the Northern Ireland Government, and they can spend this at AVA as part of the ‘NI High Street £100 Voucher Scheme’.

This can be used to spend on food, drinks, and merchandise at AVA. It cannot be spent online, but physically at the festival.

What you need to do;

1. Register to vote in NI with your NI home address before September 12th at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
2. On September 12th apply for the card via the NI Direct website.
3. This should be posted after you register to your home address in NI after 19th September provided you sign up on 12th September – so be ready!

AVA Female Producer Programme

AVA X @ BoilerRoomtv is back!

AVA Merchandise available at our Big Cartel store. All orders come with an AVA 2018 Festival programme, and will be delivered within 14 days from when the order is received.

We’ve received funding from The Arts Council NI’s Small Grant Programme and PRS Foundation’s Open Fund, big thanks to both organisations for their continued support. 

We have been monitoring the situation in Glasgow closely, and we want to ensure AVA Glasgow x Sensu is the best possible party for you! With this in mind, and the restrictions on large scale events, we have made a call to reschedule the date to 10th April 2021.

We have moved the full lineup over to this date. All tickets for this show are valid for the new date, and will be automatically transferred.
Click here to purchase tickets and more info.

If you aren’t able to join us on April 10th, refunds will be available at the point of purchase for the next 14 days. 

This is an unprecedented time for all and we appreciate your support while we continue to work towards seeing you all on the dancefloor again!

In the meantime, stay safe, and big love,

Team AVA & Sensu x

RESIDENT ADVISOR TICKET INFORMATION

Please follow the below instructions using a desktop and not a mobile phone.

To keep your ticket, head to your order in the “My Tickets” section and click “Keep Tickets”. Your ticket will be valid for the new date.

If you would prefer a refund, there will also be a “Refund Tickets” button in your order history. Click this and a refund will be processed back into the bank account used to purchase your tickets. Refunds can take up to 5 working days to land in your account.

If you would prefer to donate your ticket cost, click “Donate to Save Our Scene”. By clicking this you are donating to the promoter and helping keep the scene afloat.

You will have 14 days (from the 25th March 2020) to choose one of these options after which they will no longer be available, so your ticket will remain valid for the new date.

Visit Resident Advisor Support for further information

FESTICKET TICKET INFORMATION

Visit Festicket Support for further information

SKIDDLE TICKET INFORMATION

Visit Skiddle Support for further information

AVA celebrates, develops and amplifies electronic audio visual arts. We work with sound, light and structure to create unforgettable moments and experiences. We design spaces to develop industry and programme artists.

Our studio has worked with leading cultural & academic institutions, as well as commercial brands. These range from Red Bull Music, Soundcloud, Boiler Room, to the MAC, Abbey Road Studios and CSSD, London.

Our work ranges from large scale brand activation, to research, development and educational learning. We are interested in pushing boundaries through innovation. Realising great ideas through well considered partnerships and collaborations. Identifying new talent and giving them the platform to deliver incredible work.

RED BULL

From 2017, AVA has partnered with Red Bull Music to help deliver a number of activations including stage takeovers, conference keynotes, closing parties, and pourage across a number of events. This included a full stage sponsorship and lead conference partner at AVA Festival + Conference across the last three years.

…………….

SoundCloud

For the past two years we have partnered with SoundCloud at AVA London to host their Creators Forum featuring panels, workshops, interviews and artist showcases.

Abbey Road Studios

In 2019, we partnered with Abbey Road Studios across our AVA London Conference to deliver a partnership focusing on showcasing the studios rich history in innovation, as well as their technology incubator – Abbey Road Red.

“AVA London provided the perfect blend of inspiring insight, tech and music. With talks from leading thinkers, tech demo sessions followed by a night of great music – we thoroughly enjoyed sharing our history of innovation with the crowd and showcasing the new music tech on our radar!” – Abbey Road Studios

AVA Mumbai

In 2016, AVA partnered with ‘The Exchange’ to host a 1-day conference and showcase of UK & Indian Electronic Artists, Industry and Media Partners. Over 1,000 attended throughout the 6 sessions conference, and 2-room club show.

Amsterdam Dance Event

Over the last 3 years, AVA has developed a relationship with ADE. In 2016 we partnered with Percolate and showcased at the opening of the Festival, in 2017 AVA hosted a workshop on Creative Collaborations and in 2019, AVA recruited the previous ADE Ex-GM (Richard Zijlma) to join AVA to develop our conference.

For the past three years, Holly Lester has put together a special AVA show in the lead up to the festival. This years special includes exclusive/unreleased tracks and features from Carlton Doom and includes DART, Space Dimension Controller and Jordan plus a guest mix from Marion Hawkes!

We couldn’t let this weekend slip by without a bang!

Join us on Friday + Saturday and tune into our weekend of radio + streams across our Website, Facebook, Youtube and Twitch!

Throughout our streams this weekend we will be raising donations for Aware NI
Mental Health is a crucial issue within NI and across the globe especially at unique times likes these so if you can spare anything to help the work of Aware NI it would be appreciated.
Please Donate here – justgiving.com/campaign/homeandaware

FRIDAY
1400 – 1600 – Holly Lester’s Ode to AVA with Marion Hawkes > Listen Here
1600 – 1700 – Twitch Belfast > Listen Here
1700 – 1800 – Space Dimension Controller > Watch Here
1800 – 1900 – Holly Lester > Watch Here
1900 – 2000 – Timmy Stewart > Watch Here
2000 – 2100 – imnotyourmate > Watch Here

SATURDAY
1300 – 1400 – Phil Kieran > Watch Here
1400 – 1500 – Denis Sulta > Watch Here
1500 – 1600 – Myler > Watch Here
1600 – 1700 – Or:la > Watch Here
1700 – 1800 – Brame + Hamo > Watch Here
1800 – 1900 – Sally C b2b Cromby > Watch Here
1900 – 2000 – Midland > Watch Here
2000 – 2100 – Bicep > Watch Here

RESIDENT ADVISOR TICKET INFORMATION

Please follow the below instructions using a desktop and not a mobile phone.

To keep your ticket, head to your order in the “My Tickets” section and click “Keep Tickets”. Your ticket will be valid for the new date.

If you would prefer a refund, there will also be a “Refund Tickets” button in your order history. Click this and a refund will be processed back into the bank account used to purchase your tickets. Refunds can take up to 5 working days to land in your account.

If you would prefer to donate your ticket cost, click “Donate to Save Our Scene”. By clicking this you are donating to the promoter and helping keep the scene afloat.

You will have 14 days (from the 25th March 2020) to choose one of these options after which they will no longer be available, so your ticket will remain valid for the new date.

Visit Resident Advisor Support for further information

FESTICKET TICKET INFORMATION

Visit Festicket Support for further information

SKIDDLE TICKET INFORMATION

Visit Skiddle Support for further information

Spread across two full days at Printworks London, we returned for our third year in London with our Conference and Club Show. 

On Friday 13th March, our conference featured some of the key artists and industry in electronic music, creating a space to perform and a platform to discuss future projects, their creative process, the current and future landscape + more. We were joined by a variety of keynotes, panels and workshops will be Maribou State, Jayda G, Actress, Ninja Tune, SoundCloud, Abbey Road Studios and many more.

Following Friday’s conference, on Saturday 14th we hosted our Club Show in the Press Halls and the Dark Room, with scene-defining headliners and up-and-coming talent.

This year, we welcomed iconic duo Orbital for their Printworks London debut alongside Joy Orbison, Ross From Friends, Overmono, Peach, Cromby, Sally C, Swoose, Dave McDonogh & Ben Gibson.

Photography by Rob Jones and Gemma Parker.

Special thanks to our sponsors and partners Bulldog Gin, SoundCloud, PRS Foundation, Resident Advisor, Broadwick Live, Ninja Tune, Abbey Road Studios, Mustard Media, PRS For Music and AFEM.

Credit to Rebel Overlay  for the lighting installation in Printworks Control Room.

AVA LONDON 2020 X SOUNDCLOUD

On Friday 13th March, we partnered with SoundCloud to deliver their bespoke Creator Forum and Roundtables at AVA London 2020 Conference at Printworks.

Hosting a range of panels with artists and leading industry members on a range of topics

Photography by Rob Jones

FRIDAY 13 MARCH

AVA London is a two day conference and ticketed club showcase at Printworks, featuring some of the leading thinkers and artists in music and the audio visual arts. On Friday 13th March, the conference will feature some of the key artists and industry in electronic music, creating a space to perform and a platform to discuss future projects, their creative process, the current and future landscape + more. Joining us by day on Friday for a variety of keynotes, panels and workshops will be Orbital, Coldcut, Jayda G, Actress, Daniel Miller, Ninja Tune, Soundcloud, Resident Advisor and many more.

PRESS HALLS

Opening Keynote: 30 Years of Ninja Tune

One of the most notable independent  labels of our time, Ninja Tune celebrates 30 years as a pioneering force in music. With notable signings such as BICEP, Floating Points and Marie Davidson among many others, Ninja Tune join us to discuss the origins of the label, it’s growth in recent years and plans to push forward for the future with founders Coldcut alongside artists Jayda G + Actress

Moderator: Joe Muggs

Panelists: Coldcut [Artist]
Jayda G [Artist]
Actress [Artist]

—————————————————————————————————————————-

The Game Changers

We invite 4 key industry professionals, who throughout their career have played a role in facilitating a significant shift in the way of thinking about the landscape of electronic music, through artist management, bookings, partnerships, festival creation and promotion.

Moderator: Joe Muggs

Panelists: Steve Hogan [WME]
Georgia Tagliett [Sonar/Shesaid.so]
Mark Newton [Broadwick Live]
Oliver Isaacs [ThisIsMusic]

—————————————————————————————————————————-

Closing Keynote: Orbital

The iconic duo have crafted a sound that is uniquely theirs throughout a distinguished career, leading the way for a generation of electronic musicians. Always pushing the boundaries of what is possible with live electronic music performance – join us as we sit down with the Hartnoll brothers ahead of their Printworks Debut at AVA London.

Moderator: Seamas O’Reilly
Panelists: Orbital [Artist]

—————————————————————————————————————————-

CONTROL ROOM

Mustard Media Presents
Festivals: The Power Of Brand

This panel will discuss the power of brand in the festival world, what makes people really care, how building brand is stronger than short term marketing, festival brands compared to artist brands, how brand translates internationally.

Moderator: Oli Hackett

Panelists: Sarah Cole [AEI Group / El Dorado]
Richard Zjilma [Co Founder, ADE]
Tom Ketley [FLY]

—————————————————————————————————————————-

RA Exchange Live with Daniel Miller

Since its inception in 1978, Mute Records has grown to become a global affair, with Daniel Miller at the helm of one of the industry’s most respected labels. Born out of Miller’s original solo project “The Normal” – Mute has featured artists such as Depeche Mode & Goldfrapp among others over the years, on an eclectic roster. He joins us at AVA London 2020 for a live Resident Advisor Exchange to discuss his journey with Mute Records, and what might lie ahead.

Moderator: Martha Pazienti Caidan [Resident Advisor]

Panelists: Daniel Miller [Mute Records]

—————————————————————————————————————————-

Sentric Electronic Presents: From Production To Prosperity

Sentric Electronic opens the conversation with established writers and their teams on the process of turning creative output into publishing income and the impact royalties have had on their careers. 

Moderator: Mark Lawrence

Panelists: Shadow Child [Artist]
Matt Stuart [Manager – Old New World/ATC]
Patrick Cloherty [Head of UK Sync/Sentric]

—————————————————————————————————————————-

DARK ROOM

AVA x AFEM presents: Tackling The Climate Crisis
As global heating continues unabated, how can our industry help to tackle the climate crisis? We bring together a range of industry experts to discuss how artists, clubs, festivals, and all those involved can play their part in contributing to a more environmentally sustainable future for fans and professionals alike.

Moderator: Tristan Hunt

Panelists: Hadi Ahmadzadeh [Tail & Twist / Eco Disco]
Arron Dowie [Zenobe Energy]
George Sandilands [Creative Production Manager – Eastern Electrics]

PRS For Music – Breaking Into The Industry

What are the different income streams available to dance music creators and how do you get paid? An experienced panel will explore the mechanisms behind recording/publishing deals, DJ/live performances, remix fees, collections societies and more.

Moderator: Ashley Howard

Panelists: Bjorn Sandberg [FUGA]
Sam Lowe [Senior A&R Warner Chapell]
Sophia Kearney [Manager, Weird and Wonderful]

Abbey Road – Mastering and Mixing Masterclass

Led by an Abbey Road engineer, who will reveal the tips, tricks, and secrets to all the different facets of recording and mixing.

with Paul Pritchard and Christian Wright

—————————————————————————————————————————-

Immerse AVA – What Makes an Experience Truly Immersive?

As Technology develops, along with the expectations of the Live Music Sector, Audience and Industry, we ask the question; ‘What makes an experience truly immersive, and how will this evolve in the future?’ We will explore the relationship between audio and visual arts, how this is communicated to the audience – to create an environment where the hearing and vision systems become entirely immersed into a singular live experience. 

The session will investigate the relationship between these elements using engineering, interactivity and spatial design to create art-directed experiences. The session will consist of leading innovators within the Immersive technologies field – representing local and international advancements within the industry across lighting, visual, interactivity, sonic and installation arts.

Moderator: Sarah McBriar [AVA]
Panelists: Dan Tombs [2MS Studio]
Chris Canavan [19Mil]
Bill Brooks [d&b audiotechnik]

—————————————————————————————————————————-

SOUNDCLOUD CREATOR FORUM

BEHIND PRESS HALLS

The Changing Shape of DJ Culture
We invite world-renowned DJs to the table for a fun but informative conversation about their unique approaches to DJing and the changing landscape of technology and DJ culture. We’ll break down the hidden costs of being a DJ, explore what it takes to stand out in a crowded, increasingly democratized space, and discuss whether being a producer and/or label owner is still a prerequisite for a successful DJ career. As we delve into the art of DJing and the impact of technology, we’ll look at new and potentially controversial formats and analyze what DJs are doing to retain an edge in a time of barrier-free entry and online DJ booths.

Moderator: Jack Bridges

Panelists: Cinthie [Artist]
Spencer Parker [Artist]

—————————————————————————————————————————-

The Art of Self Care
How focusing on your mental health can lead to sustainable success. From avoiding temptation, balancing work and personal life, to providing support to someone else who’s in need – this panel of artists and mental health professionals will share tips on how to find sustainable success through wellness. 

Moderator: Hazel Berry

Panelists: Lara Cullen [The People Person]
Denise Sherwood [Music Support Counselor]
Tom Middleton [DJ + Sleep Expert]
Tristan Hunt [AFEM]

—————————————————————————————————————————-

The Breakthrough Artist

Jensen Interceptor, Object Blue, Lobster Theremin founder Asquith and Josh Farmer join us in a discussion about how you can use your authenticity, creativity and unique artistic perspective to stand out in an otherwise crowded music scene. Learn how to engage your audience, build your industry knowledge and ultimately drive your music project forward without having to compromise your artistry. Additionally, you’ll hear from influential media and press as they offer up advice on how to put your best foot forward and make an impact.

Moderator: Martha Pazienti Caidan [Resident Advisor]

Panelists: Jensen Interceptor [Artist]
object blue [Artist]
Asquith [Lobster Theremin]
Josh Farmer [NTS]

AVA+
SoundCloud Music Showcase 

6pm Onwards (AVA+ tickets holders only)

The forum wraps with a DJ showcase, featuring Object Blue, Jensen Interceptor, Lobster Theremin label founder, Asquith, Machine Woman and more special guests to be announced. 

AVA+ Pass – £15 + booking fee – available here

– Access to AVA Conference Evening Networking Drinks + 1 x Complimentary Drink
– Access to Soundcloud Creators Forum Artist Showcase with;
Jensen Interceptor
Object Blue
Machine Woman (LIVE)
Asquith
– 3 months Free Soundcloud Pro Unlimited Subscription

VOLUNTEER

Want to get involved in the AVA team? We need volunteers with a range of different skill sets, from creatives, to build team, to artist liaison + more!
To get involved please apply here – Volunteer Application

AVA London is a two day conference and ticketed club showcase at Printworks, featuring some of the leading thinkers and artists in music and the audio visual arts. On Friday 13th March, the conference will feature some of the key artists and industry in electronic music, creating a space to perform and a platform to discuss future projects, their creative process, the current and future landscape + more. Joining us by day on Friday for a variety of keynotes, panels and workshops will be Orbital, Coldcut, Andrew Weatherall, Ninja Tune, Resident Advisor and many more TBA. On Saturday 14th March, the iconic duo Orbital will join us to headline AVA London for their Printworks London debut, supported by a stacked lineup including Joy Orbison, Ross From Friends, Overmono, Jennifer Cardini, Peach and many more.

CONFERENCE –  FRIDAY
On Friday by day, AVA London will feature some of the leading thinkers, artists and industry in electronic music, creating a space to perform and a platform to discuss future projects, their creative process, the current & future landscape + more. This year, we welcome Orbital, Andrew Weatherall, Ninja Tune, Resident Advisor and many more to Printworks London for a variety of keynotes, panels and workshops.

Conference sign up here.

CLUB – SATURDAY
Iconic duo Orbital will join us to headline AVA London for their Printworks London debut. Joining them is a stacked lineup including Joy Orbison, Ross From Friends, Jennifer Cardini, Peach and many more.

Looking back at an amazing AVA London! Massive thanks to the 5,000 attendee’s, the artists, the speakers, supporting partners and Printworks London for making our AVA Conference & Club Show such a success. See you soon at AVA Festival!

“AVA London provided the perfect blend of  inspiring insight, tech and music. With talks from leading thinkers, tech demo sessions followed by a night of great music – we thoroughly enjoyed sharing our history of innovation with the crowd and showcasing the new music tech on our radar!”
– Abbey Road Studios

Conference
Bicep, Octave One, Amy Lamé, Mr G, Artwork, Saoirse, Mark Knight, Machine Woman, Resident Advisor, Abbey Road Studios,
Believe / Tunecore, Soundcloud, Sentric Electronic, Ninja Tune, Warp Publishing, Brownswood, R&S Records, PRS For Music,
London Modular, Smirnoff Equalising Music, Coda, Inflyte, Musicians Union

Club
Hunee, Job Jobse, Joy Orbison, Mall Grab, Or:la, San Proper, Sassy J, Brame & Hamo, Mount Palomar, R.Kitt, Sally C, Swoose & Cromby

Photography
Jake Davis — hungryvisuals.co.uk
Joseph Okpako

Click here for AVA x Boiler Room 2019 full coverage over the weekend.

AVA Belfast 2020 will host the most exciting talent within electronic music, visual art and film across an opening concert, conference, multi-stage festival, globally watched & recognised broadcast, and Sunday session to round it all off. Join us from Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st May for four special days in Belfast.

Click here to sign up for AVA Belfast 2020 pre-sales.

5 years strong…we are blown away by how incredible this weekend was. Huge shouts to all of the artists, our partners, and the best crowd in the world – going for it the moment they arrived. Such an incredible atmosphere.

Photography Credits: Grant Jones, Marty Logan and Lewis McClay @ Hype Factory

AVA Castle Party is back again this September to close out the summer in style, and this time we are bringing a very special crew of Boiler Room + Twitch Belfast.

As always we are bringing the full AVA production, alongside street food + bespoke chill zone.

Boiler Room Stage – Outside
Brame & Hamo
GiGi FM
Inside Moves
Brién

*Non-Broadcast

Twitch Stage – Basement
Kasper Marott
DART
Twitch DJs
Marion Hawkes
Tommy McCoy

AVA Castle Party tickets available here.

Click here to signup to Boiler Room

Click here to signup to Conference

After our sell-out AVA London show, we are very excited to be making our Scottish debut at Glaswegian clubbing institution Sub Club next month. We’ve curated a special lineup with long time friends Optimo as well as two fast up and comers, IDA + Marion Hawkes.

Expect AVA’s trademark energy to be brought to Subby’s iconic dancefloor, can’t wait for this!

Tickets available now!

FESTIVAL INSTALLATION OPPORTUNITIES

Application Deadline Reminder – Thursday 18 April 2019

We have partnered with Red Bull Music + Heverlee premium Belgian beer to offer two unique installation opportunities at AVA Festival 2019, to live during both days and nights, across Friday 31st May and Saturday 1st June.

Both opportunities have separate applications.

Red Bull Installation Opportunity
> Information
> Application

Heverlee Installation Opportunity
> Information
> Application

We are proud to support MACS Supporting Children & Young People, a charity that tackles youth homelessness in NI by providing housing and all kinds of support to 16-25 yr olds.

To support their End Youth Homelessness Sleep Out, Belfast where we hosted our Boiler Room stage in S13, we are raffling off 2 X Tickets for AVA 2019 + 2 X AVA Tees.

To enter the raffle; donate at http://bit.ly/donate2MACS and add “AVA” to the comments on donation page. Suggested donations £5 but can be whatever you can afford.

Entrants will be drawn at random and notified by 15th November.

Join the event, and participate & help raise money to end youth homelessness!

The October issue of our Rinse FM show “The Power Hour” with guest Sally C is now available online. Listen here below. Keep an eye out for more info on our November issue coming soon!