In 2012 The Hydra series was launched, an idea that was was born after Ajay and Dolan first met and collaborated together on an event on the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2011. Having both grown up through early 90s rave, and cut their industry teeth across roles at renowned independent nightclubs and major record labels, they started on this new project together to cover the full spectrum of electronic music. 

 

The first series ran from the August Bank Holiday Weekend, though to NYE, and featured a diversity of acts from James Murphy and James Blake, through to Marcel Dettmann and Kode9. After a brief hiatus from this flagship weekend, we’re very excited to reveal our return. 

 

As we are also making a return to our new home, we wanted to find a few fresh ways to present things, including our first event in the incredible Printworks Live Hall, as well as our first later (2 am) finish there. Over three days we have curated a weekend of events that represent some of our key musical facets, so a beautifully mixed bag, but an opportunity to showcase some of the artists we truly love. 

 

Honouring London’s diversity through the universal language of music, we present a collection of exceptional talent for the capital’s electronic music community. A unique opportunity to enjoy this one-off collection of venerated talents, under a single roof, over a long Summer weekend. Unmissable. 

 

Early Bird and Standard Tickets for all three events will be available on Resident Advisor at 11 am this Thursday (13th June)  

 

23RD AUGUST / 24TH AUGUST / 25TH AUGUST

 

23RD AUGUST 2019 – BUY TICKETS 

   

 One of our favourite events of the second Hydra series in 2013, was the debut label showcase for Erased Tapes, headlined by an immensely talented and-soon-to-be-massive German composer by the name of Nils Frahm. For us it certainly felt like a moment, where the worlds of Classical and Electronic music began to collide and open up a portal for all manner of amazing artists and records to emerge. The intimate confines of Village Underground have long ceased to contain his popularity, but our anticipation around Nils playing The Hydra is vast. 

 

In support, something rather special. Ambient music is as important to us any as any of the other myriad music we cherish and support. So we feel particularly honoured to have been able to commission a one-off 25th-anniversary performance of ’76:14′ by Global Communication. A mainstay of Top Tens dedicated to this music, it is a foundational record and we couldn’t be happier about rounding off this unique bill with Mr Tom Middleton (one half of Global Communication, alongside Mark Pritchard) having agreed to put together a full, bespoke performance of this seminal record. 

 

24TH AUGUST 2019 – BUY TICKETS  

   

 The Saturday of the August Bank Holiday weekend is one of the biggest dates of the year in our world. So for this return, it felt only right to enlist one of our scene leaders. Jeff Mills’ debut at Printworks was a Techno masterclass, so expect more of the same. He is joined this time by his compatriot from the Motor City, Juan Atkins, in a rare Model 500 performance and venue debut. Electro deity Helena Hauff also hits the Press Halls, with Ben Klock side-stepping his Photon residency at the space to appear here too. Another venue (and UK) debut sees Detroit’s Terrence Dixon make a much-awaited Live debut on these shores whilst LA’s Mor Elian gets us started. 

 

Dark Room welcomes Workshop affiliates Willow and Move D. David Moufang has been with us from the beginning and continues to represent so much that we love about electronic music. We’re also pleased to have Hydra debutant Damiano Von Erckert bring his Hip Hop-channeling House sensibility to the second space. NTS’ DEBONAIR gets us started here. 

 

Day into late night on this one, as we roadtest a 2 am finish for the first time…  

   

25TH AUGUST 2019 – BUY TICKETS 

   

Sundays may well be the choice day of any bank holiday. Offering the opportunity to get stuck in afresh, to pick up where you previously left off or perhaps best of all, to unexpectedly find yourself in the dance, completely unplanned and ready for anything. And for any of those potential outcomes, we have perhaps the most apposite line-up of the weekend, reserved for the day of rest. 

 

We welcome House music leviathan, Larry Heard for what will be his only London show of 2019. A man responsible for much of what we do, in so many ways. Accompanying Mr Fingers on our Sunday session is a triumvirate of second-generation superstars straight outta the D: Carl Craig, Moodymann and Theo Parrish. If you ever wanted an insight into what has inspired us on this journey, the craft and artistry of these titans will give you an idea. All three were represented across the Movement weekend in Detroit recently; the role that this special city has played cannot be underestimated, so it was a joy to behold them all on home turf… And from East Coast to West, this party also features a Live excursion from Stones Throw’s low-slung songsmith DaM FunK. 

 

In the second space on this one, Belgian’s intrepid wax hunter Lefto teams up with Brownswood alumnus Joe Armon-Jones for a trip into the unknown, and there is more Live action from L.A. with Afrofuturist Ras G, plus support from Ash Lauryn and Sofie.

 

 

 

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