Each year, Rewire bursts an explosion of sound and art in the city of The Hague, the Netherlands.
The prominent international Rewire Festival promises us a diverse lineup featuring avant-garde and experimental music, electronic music, and interdisciplinary arts. Both emerging artists and established figures from various genres and backgrounds will be performing.
Past editions of Rewire Festival have seen groundbreaking performances from the likes of Holly Herndon, James Holden & The Animal Spirits, and SOPHIE.
Rewire Festival takes place in different venues across The Hague, including concert halls, theaters, galleries, and outdoor spaces. In addition to music performances, Rewire Festival also includes art installations, film screenings, talks, workshops, and interactive experiences in their program. Here’s what to expect this year’s edition.
Photographer: Yael Malka
Deli Girls
The Brooklyn-based duo Deli Girls, comprising of vocalist Danny Orlowski and producer Tommi Kelly, has been infecting the New York underground music scene with a gritty blend of poppy noise punk, old-school screamo, and electropunk. With a string of releases under their belt like I Don’t Know How to Be Happy and BOYSLASHFRIEND, Deli Girls have definitely proved their raw energy and unapologetic sound. They are more than just musicians; activists too. Through Orlowski’s impassioned vocals, they tackle societal norms and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Their performances are not just shows, but powerful statements as well. Whether performing in intimate venues or at underground parties, Deli Girls never fail to deliver an unforgettable experience. I’ll see you in the pit for sure.
When: Fri 5 Apr | 00:00 – 00:45
Where: The Grey Space in the Middle – Basement
Listen to Deli Girls on bandcamp.
Follow Deli Girls @shitney_queers.
Meuko! Meuko!
Originating from Taipei, Taiwan, Meuko! Meuko! is the brainchild of live performer Pon. Blending elements of glitch, ambient, noise, and experimental electronica, she crafts mesmerising dance tracks. In her release ⻤島 Ghost Island, Meuko! Meuko! demonstrates her ability to tell stories. Tracks like Hyper EP pulse with electric energy, while A Ghost Island Trip brings us to a dreamy ambiance. Despite it’s eps and flows, all songs seem tainted with the undeniable melancholy that comes with our current zeitgeist. Collaborating with new media art group NAXS Corp, she presents the captivating live A/V show Invisible General at Rewire. Expect an anti-utopian narrative carefully assembled from fragments of mythology, acoustic instruments, electronic beats, noise, and field recordings.
When: Fri 5 Apr | 01:30 – 02:30
Where: PAARD II
Listen to Meuko! Meuko! on bandcamp.
Follow Meuko! Meuko! @meuko_meuko.
Gazelle Twin
Gazelle Twin, the creative alter ego of British multidisciplinary artist and composer Elizabeth Bernholz, blends haunting vocals with pulsating electronic beats. Since her debut, she has delivered a string of critically acclaimed albums, notably Unflesh and Pastoral, exploring themes of identity, societal norms, and the human psyche. Notably, Gazelle Twin’s track History, is one of the soundtracks that can be found in the renowned video game Cyberpunk 2077, adding to the game’s futuristic ambiance. Gazelle Twin’s music doesn’t like genres, which earned her a dedicated following and widespread acclaim. Her most recent album Black Dog is one to dance to, but with a distinct liking of industrial soundscapes. Gazelle Twin makes her first appearance in the Netherlands at Rewire 2024.
When: Sat 6 Apr | 20:15 – 21:00
Where: Koninklijke Schouwburg
Listen to Gazelle Twin on bandcamp.
Follow Gazelle Twin @gazelletwin.
Aunty Rayzor
Nigerian rising star Aunty Rayzor, also known as Bisola Olugbenga, brings us a fusion of afrobeat, trap, techno, and even neo-baile. Her music is energetic, driven by powerful vocals that varies between spoken word, singing, fierce rap verses, and impassioned shouts, delivered in both English and her native language, Yoruba. In her debut album Viral Wreckage released in 2023, listeners find genres colliding harmoniously; from groovy guitar riffs to the rhythms of late UK garage and early grime.
When: Saturday 6 April | 00:00 – 00:45
Where: PAARD II
Listen to Aunty Rayzor on bandcamp.
Follow Aunty Rayzor @auntyrayzor.
goat (jp)
Hailing from Tokyo, the ensemble goat (jp) has been making waves in the music landscape, showcasing a decade of sonic innovation with their recent offering, Joy in Fear. Their sound defies easy categorisation; elements of kraut-like percussion and guitar motifs mix influences that span from no-wave to punk. In commemorating their remarkable 10-year journey, goat (jp) reaffirms their mastery of the craft, sweeping away audiences in both awe and a little confusion.
When: Sunday 7 April | 16:45 – 17:45
Where: Paard I
Listen to goat (jp) on bandcamp .
Follow goat (jp) @goat_band_jp.
SUNN O)))
SUNN O))), composed of doom-metal titans Greg Anderson and Stephen O’Malley embodies the essence of drone music with unparalleled depth. Named after the iconic SUNN amplifiers, originally produced by the SUNN Musical Equipment Company, the band’s moniker pays homage to their sonic roots with a discography already spanning over two decades. Their immersive live performances, characterized by droning guitars and seismic bass frequencies generating a pulsating wall of sound, transports audiences to something we can only call otherworldly or ancient. Collaborations with esteemed artists like Boris and Ulver further cement their influence in the experimental music realm. Expect nothing short of a ritualistic sonic journey that resonates deep within your bones.
When: Sun 7 Apr | 18:30 – 19:30
Where: Paard I
Listen to SUNN O))) on bandcamp.
Follow SUNN O))) @sunnofficial.
Lolo & Sosaku
Argentine-Japanese artist duo Lolo & Sosaku capture the essence of urban life in Japan’s capital city with their signature genre, often dubbed “neo-Tokyo electronica.” They blend futuristic noisescapes with nostalgic undertones, by incorporating field recordings of motors and other machine parts captured from self-made instruments.Renowned for their evocative and forward-thinking sound, Lolo & Sosaku’s upcoming performance at Rewire will feature The End, the climactic conclusion to director Sergio Caballero’s latest film, Lolo & Sosaku: The Western Archive.
When: Sun 7 Apr | 21:00 – 21:45
Where: Theater aan het Spui – Zaal 1
Listen to Lolo & Sosaku on bandcamp .
Follow Lolo & Sosaku @loloysosaku.
Oneohtrix Point Never
Oneohtrix Point Never is the enigmatic brainchild of Brooklyn-based, musical shapeshifter Daniel Lopatin. With origins rooted in experimental electronic music, Oneohtrix Point Never has become a pioneering force in the avant-garde music scene. Lopatin’s sonic odyssey began in his bedroom in the early 2000s, but his rap sheet has become far too difficult to summarize. From haunting ambient drones to frenetic bursts of noise – always with a penchant for blending analog and digital instrumentation. Oneohtrix Point Never has touched all traditional genre boundaries and went beyond, resulting in a body of work including critically acclaimed albums like R Plus Seven and Age Of, earning prestigious accolades including Mercury Prize nominations. Collaborations with legends such as Iggy Pop and Anohni showcase Lopatin’s versatility and innovation. During this year’s edition of Rewire, Lopatin performs an exclusive live A/V show with artist Freeka Tet.
When: Sun 7 Apr | 22:00 – 23:00
Where: Amare – Concertzaal *Plus Ticket or Free registration required!
Listen to Oneohtrix Point Never on bandcamp.
Follow Oneohtrix Point Never @eccopn.
Rewire Festival is giving us a lineup that expects to challenge our senses and imaginations. It’s only reasonable that we’re counting down the days. From musical performances to experimental installations, every corner of The Hague might surprise you. Hope to see you at Rewire Festival!
Author: Kelly van Gemert
