Now in its 21st year, staunchly DIY festival Supersonic returns to its Digbeth, Birmingham home from 30 August to 1 September for a weekend of challenging music and unmatched warmth. The line-up includes performances from the likes of Dis Fig and The Body, Gazelle Twin and Bonnie “Prince” Billy, but there’s gems to be found in the whole bill. Have a read of the full timetable here, and read on for tQ’s top picks:
Esoteric, supernatural-leaning folk music is key to Supersonic’s DNA – most evident this year in folkloric zine Weird Walk’s rooftop takeover of the festival’s Digbeth home. As well as erecting standing stones (!) and programming DJ sets from the likes of Maxine Peake, WW are also curating a series of performances as part of their takeover, including ‘progressive morris dancing group’ Boss Morris and Shovel Dance Collective’s chief instrument-maker Jacken Elswyth.
The highlight of the strand is arguably Cornish musician and visual artist Daisy Rickman, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who conjures folk loops and drone from guitar, sitar, clarinet, cello, bouzouki, drums and synth, among other instruments. This year’s album Howl has shades of the enigma of Broadcast and the out-of-time nature of Josephine Foster and Nick Drake, all held together by the singularity of Rickman’s rich, deep voice.
Comprised of members of The Courtneys, Guttersnipe and Hawthonn, Tristwch y Fenywod are a Welsh-language avant-rock trio (or ‘power coven’) formed in Leeds, whose forthcoming self-titled album on Night School is one of the best, weirdest goth albums of the year. Utilising the inherent creepiness and goth credentials of the dual zither, electronic drums and distinctly Cure-esque bass lines, the group’s music is melodramatic and evocative, like a lost early 4AD release. Listen to debut single “Ferch Gyda’r Llygaid Du” (“girl with black eyes”), put on your favourite velvet cloak and get ready for the ritual.
With sonic similarities to Shellac and The Jesus Lizard, newly-formed four-piece The None are fronted by local cult hero Kaila Whyte, aka Supersonic Recordings alum Blue Ruth, whose EP Masoleum was one of the best underground releases of 2021. Also featuring drummer Chris Francombe, guitarist Jim Beck and ex-Bloc Party bassist Gordon Moakes, the group only played their first shows earlier this year, but early signs – crunchy debut track ‘Pigs Need Feeding’ – are extremely promising.
Revenant ballads workshop with Debbie Armour
Where some festivals might settle for a generic zine workshop and some morning yoga, Supersonic integrates workshops into its programme with care. This year includes printmaking with migrant and refugee collective Shelanu, instrument-making with Issimo! and Farmer Glitch – and yes, even yoga, albeit a guided session set to drone music.
The most intriguing offering comes from Glasgow underground stalwart Debbie Armour, best known as half of the experimental folk duo Burd Ellen. Armour will lead an exploration into revenant ballads: manifestations of grief occupying the ambiguous zone between life and the beyond. After learning about British and Irish traditions, participants will have the chance to sing as part of a cathartic, exploratory group – you’re encouraged to join even if you don’t consider yourself a singer.
Emerging from a fertile scene in Atlanta, Georgia, Upchuck’s imaginative take on hardcore incorporates influences from psych-rock, 70s punk and even The Breeders’ pop sensibility (‘Crashing’) – it’s no surprise that they’re touring with Amyl and the Sniffers this autumn. Last year’s album Bite The Hand That Feeds is boisterous and fun, but they promise to be even better live, channeling joy, camaraderie and pent-up energy fronted by dynamic vocalist KT.
Combining metal with traditional Indonesian vocal techniques and adapted instrumentation, Senyawa are another act whose records feel like a mere suggestion of their explosive live possibilities. The duo’s acclaimed album from this year Vajranala is suggestive of ritual, and aligns with the perennial Supersonic fascination with mythology, in its reinterpretations of the legends of the Brojonalan Temple in Java.
Senyawa’s set is highly anticipated not just because of its transcendental potential for sheer noise, but also for the visual draw of Wukir Suryadi’s one-of-a-kind handbuilt instruments, including a giant bowed instrument built from a traditional Indonesian plough.
Supersonic is known for programming a number of UK-exclusive performances each year – like last year’s midnight set from Canadian rapper Backxwash, which was a definite highlight of the weekend. This year’s exclusive treats include a brand new set from composer and sound artist Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe – aka Lichens – who is set to perform music from his score for the documentary Grasshopper Republic live for the very first time.
The wide-ranging nature of Lowe’s work is very much in line with Supersonic’s multitudinous spirit – taking in collaborations with Oscar-winning composer Hildur Guđnadóttir and stoner rock group Om, compositions for the 2021 remake of Candyman, and self-released drone works. His score for Grasshopper Republic features his trademark modular synth manipulations, and is typically atmospheric and ominous. For Supersonic, he promises an A/V set that “transcends traditional boundaries” – a somewhat terrifying prospect, considering the eeriness of his music, but an irresistible one nonetheless.
In addition to Weird Walk and London-based POC punk festival Decolonise Fest, Supersonic have invited queer party Homobloc to collaborate on this year’s programme. They’ll be hosting a strange and hedonistic party on the Saturday night of the festival, along with dance troupe and ‘party pigs from nose to tail’ The Fvck Pigs. What better way to wind down from 12 hours of confrontational noise and avant-garde performance than dancing to punk and disco with a group of latex-clad queers?
Their name might suggest the kind of bucolic folk aligned with Weird Walk, but Agriculture actually represent another of Supersonic’s integral touchstones: extreme heavy music. Recently signed to ever-reliable label The Flenser (Chat Pile, Midwife), this LA-based quartet make the kind of black metal that touches the sublime, pushing the listener into the glare of the sun rather than the dark of the underground. Lay back and try out the recent single ‘Living is Easy’ from the EP of the same name.
DIY postcard collage workshop with Bunny Bissoux
Sure, it was thrilling to see the likes of Godflesh, Oxbow and BIG|BRAVE at last year’s Supersonic – but I have to admit that one of the best hours I spend at the festival was at a workshop hosted by illustrator Bunny Bissoux, where me and my friend Bethan decorated photocards of Iggy Pop and David Lee Roth with diamantes and shiny stickers. Bunny is back with another workshop this year, allowing crafty festival-goers to make their own ‘wish you were here’ postcards commemorating their visit to Birmingham. I’m already excited about selecting the perfect stickers, stamps, washi tape and cut-outs of brutalist architecture.
