“A rich smorgasbord of eclectic sounds and eccentric characters”

The Times, Stephen Dalton

Celebrating the Best in Sonic Creativity

The UK City of Culture joined forces with the arts-led production agency Curated Place and Reykjavik-based, critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter John Grant, to create and curate North Atlantic Flux.

This four-day experimental music festival brought together some of the most innovative musicians from Norway, Denmark and Iceland together with those from the UK to explore the best in sonic creativity.

As well as an exclusive set by John Grant himself, headliners included Icelandic electronic dance collective GusGus, Norwegian multi-instrumentalist, DJ and producer Lindstrøm and Wrangler, which brings together Stephen Mallinder of Cabaret Voltaire, Phil Winter from Tunng and John Foxx collaborator Benge.

Also on the line-up was Icelandic act Ghostigial, fronted by Einar Örn who was previously with the Sugercubes and has worked with the likes of Björk, Damon Albarn and David Byrne.

Other performers included Tonik Ensemble, led by Anton Kaldal Ágústsson; Sóley; Ragga Gisladottir; Nordic Affect; Susanne Sundfør; and Nils Bech.

British artists included Steve Cobby and Russ Litten; Tom Kay; trumpet soloist Simon Desbruslais; sound and visual artist Jez Riley French; and James Orvis, a founding member of electronica act Paris XY.

Overall, the event was an incredible meeting of John’s friends, influences and collaborators alongside Curated Place’s stable of commissions and regular creative partners in a magical weekend that pushed boundaries and expectations.

A native of the US, Grant moved to Hull’s twin city of Reykjavik and submerged himself in the musical and experimental culture, which the city and Nordic region has become synonymous with. His third studio album Grey Tickles, Black Pressure was listed in The Guardian & Rough Trade’s top albums of the year.

Reviews & Feedback

Audience feedback to the festival showed that 53% of the public agreed or strongly agreed that the event introduced them to Nordic music for the first time and 93% agreed or strongly agreed that the event increased their knowledge of Nordic music.

North Atlantic Flux went on to be named Best Cultural Event of the Year at UK Event Awards in 2017, largely thanks largely to the work of Chris Carney of Curated Place.