The annual festival platforming experimental and leftfield artists returns on 13, 20 and 21 May.
This year Between the Lines comes to the ICA in London for a programme of interdisciplinary performances, including DJs, performance art and more. Confirmed for the 20 May so far, there’ll be live performances from pop polymath Lafawndah, sound and visual artist Maeve Moayedi and a DJ set from Happa – spotlighting three artists from the Iranian diaspora. The same night, Baltimore hip-hop experimentalists Infinity Knives and Brian Ennals will also perform, following on from their 2022 release King Cobra.
On the Sunday, there’ll be a ‘New Weird Éire’ showcase, spotlighting experimental music from Ireland featuring performances from improv electro-pop group Acid Granny and singer-songwriter Elaine Howley. Other names announced so far also includes Pan Daijing, who brings her opera-inspired noise, and Bristol composer John Bence, who is set to perform music from his forthcoming new album Archangels. The 13 May will feature a special album launch to be announced and there will be more artists joining the bill in the run up to the festival.
“For years now artists from across the musical spectrum have been breaking down genre conventions and challenging expectations – mixing influences from non-Western traditions with electronic production and Western acoustic instrumentation to create work that sounds entirely new,” senior programmer Rob Farhat said in a press statement accompanying the first line-up announcement. “It’s about time for London to have a festival that spotlights these great innovators and the consistently daring adventurous Institute for Contemporary Arts is the perfect place for it.”
Between the Lines is organised by Serious, who also produce the EFG London Jazz Festival. Individual tickets and full festival passes for Between the Lines 2023 are on sale now. Head to the festival’s website for further information.