- Local promoter S/V/N/ is responsible for some of the best nights in Milan's recent past. The collective have thrown parties in various interesting locations, including a recording studio and an ex-stripclub, booking acts like Demdike Stare, Andy Stott, Tim Hecker and Vladislav Delay. Through their efforts, they've introduced the city to a more conscious approach to clubbing, and their events are always busy and spoken highly of.
This weekend was the first time S/V/N/ had run a two-day festival, taking over the industrial spaces of Fabbrica Del Vapore. They labelled it a "festival of post-global music and electronic cultures." That Lichens, AKA Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe, was arguably the most recognisable name on the bill, should give you some idea for how ambitious the project was. By no means was success guaranteed, despite the promoter's solid reputation.
But in the end the weekend was well received. Both nights drew a satisfying, if not huge, audience, who were both active and attentive. The first night was more of a listening exercise, while the second was geared towards the party. Both nights had their ravey and more mellow moments.
Night one opened with Lichens and his highly atmospheric set. Minimal sounds swelled into an orchestra of loops, drones and voice, and the effect was trance-inducing. After him came Hassan Khan, an Egyptian artist who uses Balinese gamelan samples to create something that sounds like classy and powerful Berlin techno. Unusual, but it worked. Wrapping up the evening was Awesome Tapes From Africa, which made for as fun and groovy an ending as you'd expect.
In addition to the music, the festival also hosted talks and a very good record fair, presenting an interesting mix of avant-garde Italian labels (Die Schachtel, Holidays, Black Sweat, Presto!?, Hundebiss, Haunter, Alga Marghen) alongside imprints from further afield (Alter, Pan, Morphine and Honest Jon's). In what was a nice touch, each stall spun records while people browsed.
Saturday's programme started with Al Doum & The Faryds, a Milan-based band playing African-inspired psychedelic music using traditional instruments alongside bass, drums and guitars. It wasn't the first time they were playing in the city and they looked and sounded comfortable onstage. Then it was time for El-Mahdy Jr, who was great. His collage of samples, heavy bass, reverb and sudden beats was not only the darkest set of the festival, but one of the darkest you'll hear on today's circuit. Imagine sinking into black quicksand.
The mood shifted considerably after that, as one of the most anticipated acts of the festival, Islam Chipsy and his band EEK, took to the stage. They had one keyboard channeling wedding music through 8-bit noise, and two drummers. They played very loud, and all three members where in hysterics while they performed. The crowd were going just as crazy. When the music finally stopped, there was smoke coming from one of the monitors.
There was still time for the Afro-futuristic sounds of Italian DJ Khalab, and for two extremely lively DJ sets from DJ Nigga Fox and Palm Wine, who saw us through to dawn with a bass-heavy blend of kuduro, deep Afro-house and trap. Let's hope this weekend was the first of many for Savana #Mash.
Photo credit: Sara Scanderebech