From the people who brought us Electric Picnic, Forbidden Fruit and some of Dublin’s best club events in recent times, comes Metropolis. POD have teamed up with Hidden Agenda to bring us what they are calling a “new indoor winter music festival”. Framing itself as a more intellectual take on Ireland’s new indoor festival scene, in true POD style, the two-day Metropolis Festival will be comprised of a combination of music, conversation, installation and film.
If it’s anything like how Electric Picnic has looked in past years, I’m confident Metropolis will deliver. The production team have managed to get their hands on the RDS campus, and are promising to transform some of its eight largest function spaces into exciting and contemporary arenas, outsourcing some of Europe’s best construction design and visual groups. Arcadia UK have been summoned, known for their outstanding builds at festivals such as Glastonbury UK and Rhythm and Vines NZ. I am intrigued to see how they incorporate their trademark pyrotechnics into an indoor environment. Releasing only one other name as part of their greater design and visuals crew, Metropolis Festival are remaining rather secretive about what we should expect to see. I’m eager to see what surprises they have in store.
Although there are some voices the Irish festival scene is becoming somewhat used to, there is plenty to look forward to hearing for the first time.
On Saturday Hot Chip are back in Ireland once again, having performed at both Forbidden Fruit and Electric Picnic in recent months. They clearly have a healthy relationship with POD. Although extremely popular, those who saw them twice this summer might want to give them a miss, although I hope the same won’t ring true for other festival goers. If you like indie/dance synthpop, don’t miss them in the Main Hall on Saturday.Earlier that evening, again the Main Hall, you can hear Hare Squead. These guys are my new favourite Dublin group. Incorporating a mixture of rap, vocals, acoustic and synth, their live performances sound much more electronic than some of their recordings. Having played an exceptional set on at Happenings on St. Patrick’s day last, and closed Electric Picnic, I can’t wait to see these guys again.
I missed Flight Facilities at Forbidden Fruit 2013, and certainly won’t let it happen again. Their feel-good tracks with a hint of 80s dance and musical bass will have you dancing with them to the end of their set. You won’t regret stopping by Shelbourne Hall on Saturday, if even for a while.If you like heavy, septic, outspoken rap, go and see Vince Staples – this guy is coming all the way from Southern California to be with us. Having featured on tracks with some of rap and hip-hop’s biggest names, such as Mac Miller and Earl Sweatshirt, Vince Staples makes his Irish debut at Metropolis in the Serpentine Hall on Saturday.
The Sunday is bring some huge names in too. Much like Hot Chip, CHIC feat. Nile Rodgers are back. However, having heard them numerous times in the past two years, it’s likely that many will give them a miss. I fear Metropolis’ target audience may also have seen them as often as I have, but they are still sure to draw a crowd in the Main Hall on Sunday.It is Mark Ronson I am most impatient to see in the Main Hall on Sunday. Following the great reports from his show at Benicassim, Spain, it’s a great opportunity to catch someone you may have disregarded in the past. He is known to move away from his commercial sound in his festival sets, so hopefully he lives up to expectations.
Our very own Trinity Orchestra will too grace the Main Stage on Sunday, so going to support your own friends and classmates will likely be a given. Jamie XX – need I say more? One of my own favourite artists is back after a stellar performance at Forbidden Fruit. The combination of sound, visual and atmosphere experienced when he plays is unmissable. I will definitely see you in the Shelbourne Hall on Sunday.For something eerie, and a bit heavier, Jeff Mills is your guy. Having played a three hour set in The Twisted Pepper in recent years, he can make you lose your mind. He will play sounds you’ve never heard. His set in the Serpentine Hall on Sunday will make you think.
Back in Dublin again is DJ Kerri Chandler. This big dude plays entrancing synth techno sets. If you like your music electronic with vocal a touch of soul, go along to the Serpentine Hall on Sunday. The Industries Hall will host some amazing Irish DJs over the weekend. The Malibu Club, Kelly-Anne Byrne and Oli Drakeford have all played great sets in some of Ireland’s hottest dance and tech house clubs. If you find yourself wandering, unsure of where to go over the weekend, heading to the Industries Hall will be your best bet.
My own hopes for Metropolis festival are high. One thing that has most attracted me to it is its non-conventionalism. We can hope this attracts a crowd from all walks of life, who are there for no other reason than to enjoy themselves. So far, it looks like the “boutique” festival scene Ireland once loved might be coming back. I know I’ll be looking forward to seeing how the festival creates a safe, comfortable, fun and stimulating environment.
