CityLife

Futuresonic 2009 brings three days of art and music to Manchester

Futuresonic organisers Drew Hemment and James Smith

WHETHER it's a beat box rave on the site of the Hacienda, musical plants that sing when stroked or John Lennon's Imagine ringing out on the loudest cathedral bells in the world, Futuresonic 2009 is sure to make May a month to remember.

Now in its 14th year, May 13-16 sees the return of the UK's leading festival for digital culture.

Split into four strands - Art, Music, Ideas and EVNTS - the Manchester-based festival aims to showcase the best new and original events, visionary performances and creative happenings.

This year, Futuresonic's art programme will focus upon the theme of Environment 2.0.

Public spaces

It includes a public recital of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, music played by scanning 2D barcodes across the city, and rugby played by wheelchair users in a simulation of Darwin's battle of the species.

All Futuresonic artworks are participatory, and will be situated in public spaces around the city.

Futuresonic 2009's music programme boasts an explosive lineup of cutting-edge artists from all around the world.

Tackling genres from electronica and leftfield hip-hop to dubstep and contemporary classical, Futuresonic will host performances in some of the city's best-known music venues including the RNCM, Urbis and the Deaf Institute.  

Opinion formers

NYC-based hip-hop crew Anti-Pop Consortium, critically acclaimed lo-fi rock 'n' roller Marnie Stern and Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson are all confirmed to play.

The festival will also feature an international conference bringing together artists, researchers, opinion formers and futurologists to discuss the impact of today's digital culture.

For tickets, conference passes and a full schedule of events, visit www.futuresonic.com.