French prog band Magma are coming to the US (dates), playing NYC (tix on sale) & Sonic Circuits in DC (full lineup)
by BBG
Magma in 1979
Led by classically trained drummer Christian Vander, the Paris-based Magma have been, in their way, perhaps the ultimate progressive rock group; while other artists have achieved greater commercial success and critical acclaim, Magma have typified the many ambitions and excesses of the genre that won them as many detractors as fans, even going so far as to invent their own lyrical and musical language in order to bring their unique vision to life…
As outlined on the group’s eponymous 1970 double-album debut, Vander’s tale — projected to be told over the course of ten LPs — pitted Earth against a rival planet named Kobaia. Over the course of 1971’s 1,001 Centigrade and 1973’s Mekanïk Destructïw Kommandoh (recorded with a choir), the story — much of it told in native Kobaian — unfolded to depict an Earth so uninhabitable that its citizens must flee to the nearby planet, where years of conflict culminated in the achievement of cosmic harmony and a reconciliation with the deity Ptäh. Chart success was not forthcoming, and after a few early tours of the U.S. and Britain Magma spent the middle years of the decade almost exclusively in France, where they launched records including 1974’s Kohntarkosz and the next year’s Live. After the commercial failure of 1976’s Üdü Wüdü and 1977’s Inédits, Magma essentially disbanded, although the group lived on in various forms, as alumni founded a number of loosely affiliated splinter groups to carry on Vander’s work… -[allmusic]
The proggy purveyors of zeuhl, Magma, reformed in the 90s and will play Highline Ballroom in NYC on September 20th. Tickets are on sale. The NYC show is one of two US dates scheduled thus far. The other happens in Washington DC two days earlier as part of the The Sonic Circuits Festival of Experimental Music…
The Sonic Circuits Festival of Experimental Music was initiated by the American Composers Forum (ACF) in 2001 to provide DC’s music and art communities with the opportunity to sample experimental and avant-garde electronic music, with an emphasis on improvisation and artistic use of new technologies.
Now celebrating its tenth year, Sonic Circuits programs music year round and presents the best in electro-acoustic compositions, free jazz, improv, noise rock, electronic drone and experimental folk, as well as live video and film programs, from DC area artists and from around the world.
The full festival schedule, which also includes Fennesz, Univers Zero, Miriodor, The Muffins, Merzbow and many others, is below.
Magma is touring on the backs of their second LP since their return to the stage, Ëmëhntëtt-Ré, out now via Seventh Records. Stream three songs at the Seventh Records site. All tour dates and some video below…
MAGMA – PHASES (SAMPLE)
Magma – De Futura (high quality)
Magma “Hhai” TV show 1978
MAGMA – 2010 TOUR DATES
Jul 30 2010 30 Juillet FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ( JAPON ) Japon, JP
Jul 31 2010 Christian Vander SOLO FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ( JAPON ) Japon, JP
Sep 11 2010 Christian VANDER SOLO (sous réserve) GAP, FRANCE
Sep 18 2010 WASHINGTON WASHINGTON DC, 0
Sep 20 2010 HIGHLINE BALLROOM NEW YORK, NY
Sep 25 2010 WURZBURG WURZBURG, 0, GERMANY
Oct 16 2010 FREYMING-MERLEBACH (57) FREYMING-MERLEBACH, FR
Nov 5 2010 BOURGOIN JALLIEU BOURGOIN JALLIEU, FR
Nov 6 2010 COMMENTRY COMMENTRY, FR
Nov 25 2010 Christian VANDER New quartet Villeneuve d’Ascq, FRANCE
Nov 27 2010 CERGY PONTOISE CERGY PONTOISE, 0
Dec 3 2010 BORDEAUX BORDEAUX, Aquitaine , FR
Mar 25 2011 DENAIN DENAIN, 0
May 13 2011 TREGUEUX TREGUEUX, 0
—
SONIC CIRCUITS in Washington DC
2010 Schedule:
Saturday, September 18
La Maison Française
3:30pm
The Muffins (MD/NC/VA)
Hume (DC)
Vector Trio (DC)
Pilesar (DC)
8pm
Magma (France)
Sunday, September 19
Fairfax Old Town Hall
11am-11pm
Music Marathon Overload!
Illusion of Safety (Chicago)
The Cornel West Theory (DC)
Controlled Bleeding (NY)
Astma (Alexei Borisov & Olga Nosova) (Russia)
Fuse Ensemble (DC)
Nobu Stowe – Lee Pembleton Project “Confusion Bleue” with Special Guest: Andrea Centazzo
(Japan/LA/NY/Baltimore/Italy)
Corridors (NYC)
Colla Parte (Perry Conticchio, Rich O’Meara, Daniel Barbiero) (DC)
RDK+Insect Factory (DC)
Aster – Eli Keszler & Ashley Paul (Providence)
Mercury Fools the Alchemist (DC)
Matta Gawa (DC)
Kingdom of Sharks (VA)
Dave Vosh (DC)
Borborites (DC)
Monday, September 20
Strathmore Mansion
8pm
Trophies (Baltimore/Brooklyn)
Gestures (DC)
Lost Civilizations (DC)
Tuesday, September 21
Strathmore Mansion
8pm
Fennesz (Austria)
Arturas Bumsteinas + Janel & Anthony (Lithuania/DC)
Low End String Quartet (DC)
Wednesday, September 22
Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
6pm – FREE!
Andrea Centazzo (Italy)
Thursday, September 23
The Fridge
8pm
Night of 100 Lock Grooves – District of Noise Vol.3 Release Party
DJ/turntable abuse by
VLT_BLK (DC)
Sean Peoples (DC)
Tone Ghosting (DC)
Cole Goins (DC)
+more!
Friday, September 24
La Maison Française
8pm
Merzbow+Richard Pinhas (Japan/France)
Blue Sausage Infant (DC)
TL0741 (DC)
Saturday, September 25
La Maison Française
7pm
Univers Zero (Belgium)
Miriodor (Canada)
—
