Moogfest came into orbit yesterday kicking off a sequence of events to our 4 days of synthesizing music, art, and technology. You could feel the electricity stirring in the air as people began to trickle into Durham. Beginning early in the day the Moog Pop-Up factory began building the Subsequent 37 CV synthesizer that debuted at the festival. The conjoined rooms at the Power Plant Gallery hosted an array of various synthesizers and manufacturers in the Modular Marketplace.
The day moved into Future Thought, hosting workshops, discussions, experiential art installations, and further electric activity. Highlights included Moor Mother entrancing an audience with her durational performance, Talib Kweli engaging in conversation with David Graham (The Atlantic) over the nature of media in the age of the Trump administration, and S1’s workshops demystifying the powers and learning of synthesis .
On into the evening, things started to boom with our Future Sound series programming. The focal point of the night took place at Motorco Park hosting our ode to Protest. Multi-faceted artist Mykki Blanco, prolific Syrian born singer Omar Souleyman, rap game legend Talib Kweli, and triangle area punk band Pie Face Girls took the stage in full force. Comedian Hannibal Buress made a surprise appearance to introduce Talib Kweli, and will be staying through the weekend to moderate conversations with Animal Collective & Syrinx and Flying Lotus. Over at the Armory, UK underground techno legends 808 State played their first show in over 20 years, filling the room with breakbeats and winding bass to move to. Avalon Emerson was the perfect follow-up.
