Encounters in partnership with British Council Connect ZA

present

UK electronic duo

DARKSTAR

Darkstar (Aiden Whalley & James Young) have been an influential force in the UK’s electronic scene.

Foam Island, the band’s third studio LP, is a beautiful contemporary electronic pop album, dealing with powerful themes of ambition and hope against the odds in the 21st century. During trips to visit family in Northern England, Whalley and Young noticed a change in the area’s social atmosphere. This climate began to increasingly influence the duo’s writing sessions, and they began a three month project of documenting local young people’s experiences in nearby Huddersfield. The lyrics and the sound palette for Foam Island were shaped by the people and emotions they encountered there, and their recordings of interviewees have been compellingly woven into the tracks to form a powerful merging of audio documentary, electronic  music and political statement.

This concept offers a parallel to the politics of youth in South Africa. During their time in South Africa, the band will transpose the central concept of the album to a South African setting – recording the voices and experiences of young people and reworking this into two live shows in Cape Town & Johannesburg.

Jozi

Sat 11 June, 9 pm   The Good Luck Bar, 14 Alexander Street, Ferreirastown   Tickets are free! Bookings via Webtickets

Cape Town

Sun 12 June, 7pm    The Assembly, 61 Harrington Street, Cape Town   Tickets are free! Booking via Webtickets