OFF Festival 2012: Ten To See

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Photograph by Jacek Poremba.

Now in its seventh year, Poland’s OFF Festival boasts a rather incredibly eclectic line-up with headline sets from Iggy & The Stooges, Swans and Forest Swords. With over 100 acts gracing four stages from 3-5 August in Dolina Trzech Stawow in Katowice it was a struggle to narrow our must sees down to 10, but we think we’ve just about done it.

Forest Swords

Liverpool man Matthew Barnes manages to do so much with so little; his minimal, hypnagogic beats swell with an eerie unease which is all at once haunting, enveloping and dreamy.

Chromatics

Italian dance pop at its finest, Chromatics high octane numbers are drenched in 80s synths and romantic vocals.

Battles

Watching Battles lives is a nigh-on unbeatable experience, if for no other reason that John Stanier is just one of the best drummers the world has to offer.

Nils Frahm

Having released a string of beautiful EP’s via Erased Tapes Records, the Berlin based pianist promises to deliver a set of heartbreaking harmonies inhabited by a subtle intensity.

Purity Ring

For just two people Purity Ring have an intricately adorned live set, complete with coloured paper lanterns and hand held spotlights but ultimately it is all about the duo’s addictive chimes and ethereal electronics.

Thurston Moore

Currently busy working with his new band Chelsea Light Moving, ex Sonic Youth man Thurston Moore will be making a rare and undoubtedly unforgettable appearance this weekend.

Iceage

Having released their debut album New Brigade last year, Denmark’s Iceage create frenzied post-punk noise that whilst often messily delivered is unrelenting in its ferocity and fervour.

Swans

Having re-emerged in 2010 with their eleventh studio album My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky, Michael Gira and co are set to release their new, epic two hour record Seer next month and well their festival set promises to be just that, epic.

Sleep Party People

As understated as it is bold and uncompromisingly loud, Sleep Party People’s haunting post-rock is utterly intoxicating.

Shabazz Palaces

The Seattle based hip-hop collective released their debut full length Black Up via Sub Pop records last year and have been silencing detractors ever since with their compelling blend of soft harmonies and hard, slick lyrics.

Tickets are still on sale here. For more information and the full line up head to OFF Festival’s website.