This indie-classical festival, with performances at BIMHUIS and Muziekgebouw, focuses on extraordinary combinations of composed contemporary music and avant-garde pop. Previous editions of Cross-Linx included famous musicians as well as artists on the verge of breakthrough. Pitchfork has named Cross-Linx as a ‘festival to watch’.
The 2018 edition features the following artists:
Hooverphonic & Residentie Orkest
Belgian band Hooverphonic made name with symphonic, dreamy ambient trip-hop, which is particularly suitable for an orchestral performance. And where better than at Cross-linx? Together with the Residentie Orkest led by Clark Rundell, they will be playing their hits in their full orchestral glory.
Joep Beving & Maarten Vos
Almost overnight, pianist Joep Beving has become one of the big stars of neo-classical music. His first album ‘Solipsism’, one of the most-streamed classical albums on Spotify, secured him a recording contract with the famous Deutsche Grammophon label. The cinematic piano music often has a hypnotic repetitiveness, which is where Beving and cellist Maarten Vos find common ground. Maarten Vos is known for his solemn cello performance, in which he combines electronic and classical sounds. Their joint performance at Cross-linx will be their first time working together, both as musicians and as composers.
Poliça & Stargaze
US electro quintet Poliça emerged in 2011 from a collaboration between producer Ryan Olson and singer Channy Leaneagh. They met in the Gayngs collective, which also featured Justin Vernon (Bon Iver). Their albums were received enthusiastically, thanks to the band’s innovative sound and use of instruments (e.g. with two people on drums!). Together with ensemble Stargaze they wrote Music For The Long Emergency, the debut album to be launched in February, which they will be performing at Cross-linx. The set will open with a self-styled adaptation of Steve Reich’s Music For Pieces Of Wood and new compositions by US composer Daniel Wohl.
This is the Kit & Stargaze
Moonshine Freeze by British-born Kate Stables — alias This Is the Kit — is one of the most beautiful folk albums of 2017. Her crystal-clear voice and the predominately banjo-driven sound is mesmerizingly beautiful, and the album received all-round glowing reviews. Last year, This is the Kit joined forces with Stargaze, one of today’s most adventurous ensembles. This collaboration, however, only saw two live performances. Happily for Cross-linx, the performers are joining up again.
Daniel Wohl
Composer Daniel Wohl, born and bred in Paris and currently living in Los Angeles, is being recognized as one of the great composers of his generation. His ability to combine classical music and electronic instruments garnered critical acclaim. Wohl has written music for Poliça & Stargaze and, in addition, will be performing in a more intimate setting with Stargaze members during the Music Mining program.
Daniel Brandt & Eternal Something
Daniel Brandt, co-founder and percussionist of the ensemble Brandt, Brauer, Frick, recently released his first solo album. Abandoning his original, ambitious idea to produce a record featuring cymbals as the only instruments, The Eternal Something grew into a fully-fledged and enchanting ambient album, featuring drums, keyboard, guitar and trombone. Pitchfork praised Brandt for his talent of linking dance to classical music.
Brendan Faegre
Drummer, composer and band leader Brendan Faegre was born in the United States but graduated from the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, in the Netherlands. In his pieces, he combines all of the things that influenced him while growing up. Rock and jazz drums, as well as classical and even Hindu music appear in his work. Especially for Cross-linx he has created a new composition, in which he combines drums with analogue synths.
Alistair Sung
Sydney-born cellist Alistair Sung is a member of the Stargaze ensemble. His solo work is inspired by the relationship between man and machine — the growing role of technology in our society. He combines the classical cello sound with its electronic version. Sung plays music by, among others, Son Lux, Daniel Wohl and Michael Gordon.
Click here for time table.
Hooverphonic & Residentie Orkest
Joep Beving & Maarten Vos
Poliça & Stargaze
This is the Kit & Stargaze
Daniel Wohl
Daniel Brandt & Eternal Something
Brendan Faegre
Alistair Sung