Boston’s Together festival is on its way back, aiming to blow over last year’s. On its way to a full launch on Monday, April 18, the week-long series of events will be showcasing electronic music, art and technology through art installations, discussion panels, film screenings, technology demonstrations and evening shows of local, national and international musical talent.
Daily events are set around the greater Boston area at spots like Northeastern, Yes.Oui.Si, MassArt, Berklee, Atlantic Wharf, and the Goeth-Institute. The Get Together will be prime for vinyl collecting, fashion showing, software amusing, hardware demonstrating, and music listening.
Evening shows will be throwing down at everyone’s favorite venues, including the Enormous Room, the Middle East, Phoenix Landing, Middlesex, and Royale. It doesn’t stop there; even more of the best musicians, DJs, and producers are taking over Church, Zuzu, Wonder Bar, Goodlife, and Savant Project.
And of course, after-parties resume the gallivants of Friday and Saturday nights at RISE, Boston’s After-Hours. From 1 to 6 a.m., partygoers can, and will, drown in the sounds of SWITCH and Anton Pieete.
Panels are pitched to discuss the electronic music community, live electronic music, stereo sound, motion sensitive technologies, creative economy, dubstep, and production. Notable speakers worth checking out include Eric Marcelino (aka E-Marce), DigBoston editor David Day, and reps from Wobblesauce, 6one7 Productions, Fashion Week Boston, and Blue Boy Productions.
Deconstructing Dad: The Music, Machines & Mystery of Raymond Scott and VILLALOBOS will hit the film screens.
The DrumLab demo checks the mixing of live drums and custom software, while the New England Conservatory opens up its electronic production studios. There will be a demonstration on motion sensitive music technologies as well as a Chiptune demo and concert.
But we all know music is the central allure. Pantha Du Prince, Above & Beyond, Trentemøller, and Hot Pink Delorean are just a few of this year’s impressive lineup. Wolfgang Gartner will be at The Middle East to top off his performance last year at RISE. City natives may even recognize locals The Wig, Rick O’Halloran, Volvox, and Die Young.
Already-weekly parties like THROWED, Beat Research, Re:Set, and The Drop will kick even harder solely for Together with its stellar residents and crushing guests.
Together sponsors include DigBoston, Future Boston Alliance (FBA), Bacardi, VitaminWater, Northeastern University, Mass Art, Dubspot, Bristol Studios, and Ink Kiosk.
With a bit over a week to go, the festival’s DJ and producer competitions are currently deep in progress. The DJ mix competition allows a 30 to 70 minute mix entry to be judged on track selection, transitions, flow and listener engagement. Producers may trace their skill and creativity through a three to ten-minute remix of a selected track. Though the prizes are to be determined, we do know winners will receive a year’s supply of VitaminWater. Last year’s competition bustled out over $3 million in gear and software.
The best part? The Together pass ($95) allows holders week-long complimentary access to any and every official festival event. That’s right- inclusion to over 35 concerts and parties, all four days of discussion panels, demos, exhibits, seminars, and screenings. The Together Plus pass ($110) grants weekend access to RISE. Both also admit to the festival’s VIP launch party.
Together Festival 2011, April 18-24.
