Ava, known for its commitment to championing music, art, culture and activism with its dynamic format, pushing the boundaries of traditional conferences, is back for another jam-packed long weekend. Featuring over seventy speakers, thirty sessions, and seven thousand attendees, it presents an extensive three-day and night programme consisting of everything from keynote lectures and masterclasses to raves. Did we mention that FKA Twigs, Jarvis Cocker, LSDXOXO, horsegiirL and Erika de Casier are only part of the line up?
Since its inception, Ava has become a cornerstone of London’s creative landscape, bridging gaps in the industry, fostering dialogue and uniting artists, innovators, and audiences under the multi-day and venue event. Its latest edition builds on this legacy and offers a platform where music, technology, and visual arts converge to shape the future of cultural expression in music and wider creative industries.
This year’s edition will take place from the 20th to the 22nd of March and will flood some of London’s most iconic cultural institutions with expert-led masterclasses and workshops as well as, of course, live performances and raves. These venues include The British Library, Here at Outernet, EartH Hackney & The Standard in King’s Cross. After all, such a culturally noteworthy and influential event would not be taking place anywhere, its spaces would have to be as equally iconic and significant for the city’s creative communities and spaces the festival aims to foster.
One of the most noteworthy artists participating this year, FKA Twigs, will be recording an edition of the Resident Advisor Exchange podcast, offering introspections and sharing insights about her career, creative process, Eusexua, and inspirations. Jarvis Cocker, founder and frontmant of Pulp, will be delivering a climate-themed lecture with EarthPercent titled Biophobia.
Annie Mac and Jayda G will both sit down for a comprehensive conversation revolving around music, motherhood, and the challenges they face. That’s not even a half of what Ava’s daytime programme has to offer as Tom Elmhirst, the iconic British mixing engineer, will break down his process and display his work with artists such as David Bowie, Adele, and Frank Ocean. The Italian producer Lorenzo Senni will lead a more production-focused masterclass, discussing his approach to genres such as ‘90s trance, techno, and hardcore punk influences.
Lastly, the Parisian duo Nonotak will be showcasing a variety of mixed-media installations. We haven’t even mentioned all the other ways the programme unfolds with names such as Erika de Casier, Kojaque, Mechatok, horsegiirL, and METAL 51 cover star LSDXOXO, amongst others.
TikTok, responsible for revolutionising the industry, and Rinse FM, celebrating over thirty years in the airwaves and being a pioneering force in UK underground music, will also hold their own respective discussions to adress the past, present, and future of Rinse FM, balancing high-level commercial success while staying credible, and their role in pushing Amapiano, hip-hop, kwaito, Afrobeats and wider sub-Saharan sounds as well as spaces of queerness in electronic music.
A definite essential event for the ever-evolving creative industries and those within, celebrating and gathering some of the most exciting acts and curious minds alive, will undoubtedly be a joy to witness and be a part of. If you don’t somehow come out with new industry connections, perspectives, reflections, knowledge, new artists to listen to among many other things, a good time is guaranteed.
