ROBOT Festival 2024

Lyra Pramuk is the featured artist of the edition. She presented a show that transcended the purely musical. She played her DJ table among angels and religious figures, generating an infinite sound where her voice was just another instrument. A poem exploring themes of technology and humanity opened the set, and gradually faded in between synthesizers and loops. A multi-layered reflection on identity, offering the audience an emotional and profound closing performance, living up to the theme of this year's edition.

This unique festival epitomises what a European electronic festival should be: a project that blends philosophy and principles with its shows, set in urban, eco-friendly spaces committed to their communities. Over the years, ROBOT has created a platform for both major names and emerging talents, drawing electronic music fans of all ages.

This year’s line-up included renowned acts like Berlin’s Modeselektor and Richie Hawtin, who made his first appearance in Bologna in sixteen years. Such performances offer the rare chance to experience established icons of electronic music in a unique setting.

Richie Hawtin's set was a demonstration of how the simplest elements are the foundations of a genre: his is Detroit techno. The references to an already primitive genre of techno, where the sound prevailed over the visuals, stood out. The audience had an intense reaction, hypnotised by this headliner, especially on the first day. The show, called DEX EFX X0X, had already been presented for the first time at our beloved Sónar Barcelona in 2024 (and received with the same affection). Many of the elements that characterise it build on his previous series, Decks, EFX & 909, but now a greater capacity for real-time sound manipulation can be appreciated. The best possible welcome to Bologna.

However, ROBOT focuses in particular on giving space to upcoming talent, featuring names as Evissimax or the unclassifiable Toccororo. Evissimax is an emerging DJ from Milan, known for her electrifying sets that blend Afro, Jersey Club, techno, and electro influences. Her performances often draw on her Italian-Nigerian heritage, adding a unique, multicultural layer to her mixes. She's gained recognition as one of the rising stars of the European underground scene, playing major festivals like Dancity and Polifonic, and clubs in Berlin, Reykjavik, and Helsinki .

On the other hand, there’s Tocco. The Spanish-Cuban DJ integrates her body, her natural frenetic movement, sweat, techno, guaracha and Latin house. All of it. “It's my first time in the country,” she told us backstage before leaving, dressed by an independent Spanish designer. We are happy to see her grow on the international scene. In this case, it was a session with more acid house sounds that she dedicated to the audience. A very Libra energy on her part, in that balance of performance, dance and a devastating rhythm.

These emerging artists shone especially on the Temporanea stage, a must-visit for attendees. Also featured was upsammy, who delivered a mesmerising set in which music transformed into architectural layers, exploring the juxtaposition of sonic elements in innovative ways.

ROBOT Festival’s choice of venues is a key part of the experience. The main site, DumBO Binario Centrale, is a vast post-industrial pavilion covered in street art and graffiti, offering an atmosphere that rivals northern Europe’s most innovative clubs. Additional events took place at the Oratorio di San Filippo Neri, a former religious space turned cultural centre, where Baroque sculptures and light shows blended with music from artists including the already named Lyra Pramuk or Drew McDowall.

Another highlight was the TPO (Teatro Polivalente Occupato), a venue rooted in activism and political engagement since its founding in 1995. TPO (Teatro Polivalente Occupato) in Bologna is a self-managed cultural space known for supporting emerging artists and underground scenes, with a particular focus on diverse genres like electronic, rock, and rap. TPO has become a central hub for alternative culture in Bologna. Its raw, unpolished atmosphere makes it a vital part of the city's vibrant alternative scene and matches ROBOT’s energy. The final day’s shows at TPO were intense, featuring performances by LCY and Deli Girls that sparked energetic dancing and mosh pits.

At their festival performance, Deli Girls delivered an intense and cathartic show, blending noise, punk, and electronic elements into a brutal, immersive experience. Danny Orlowski’s raw, distorted vocals and Tommi Kelly’s harsh beats created a chaotic, dystopian atmosphere that transformed the crowd into a whirlwind of collective release. Their performance was both a confrontation and a celebration, channelling frustration and anger into powerful, energetic soundscapes. The Italian audience responded with equal fervour.

ROBOT Festival goes way beyond the music with ROBOT Learn, a series of workshops and talks that explore sustainability, gender diversity, and green approaches to electronic music. This year, the focus was on transitioning to more eco-conscious creative practices in music.

Beyond the talks and workshops, the festival featured the stunning Transition installation by Stefania Kalogeropoulos and sound artist Heith. A multimedia project designed specifically for this 15th edition of the event that used light as a mechanism for exploring nature, fluidity, and immersive experience.

ROBOT Festival isn’t just about celebrating electronic music — it’s about creating a forward-thinking, inclusive cultural event that merges art, sustainability, and a fresh perspective on music and society. As it quickly gains international recognition, it’s clear that ROBOT is a festival you don’t want to miss!