First festival names announced
Nuits Sonores unveils the first acts of its 2024 edition
After its 20th anniversary edition, Nuits sonores enters its third decade more determined than ever to keep up with the times, juxtaposing genres and local and international artistic communities, programming established names alongside up-and-coming artists, boldly exploring territories that are often neglected by other European festivals, and weaving together stories from all four corners of the ever-expanding musical universe.
Among the first artists announced for the 2024 edition, audiences at Les Grandes Locos will be able to witness two of the biggest names in electronic music performing in Lyon for the very first time: the elusive Skrillex, who made a triumphant comeback in 2023 with his second and third albums, a mixture of mainstream pop and alternative styles, and veteran DJ Fatboy Slim, the man behind some of the most influential electronic productions of the 1990s.
They will be joined on the bill by some of the local scene’s most prolific acts: Vel, Tauceti, LB aka Labat and Cornelius Doctor.
Live music will once again take centre stage, day and night, as the festival showcases a host of exceptional projects representing a broad cross-section of the most exciting international music trends.
The percussive, polyrhythmic grooves of Ago Gazo will rub shoulders with the IDM and audiovisual experimentation of Ryoji Ikeda, the contemplative ambient soundscapes of Odalie, the psychedelic electronica of Saint Abdullah & Eomac, the dancefloor-friendly gabber of Gabber Eleganza, or the percussive melodies of Mézigue and the first-ever festival live performance by France’s very own Beatrice M.
Modular synths will take particular pride of place, from the electronica of JakoJako to the indie rock of MEULE and the Anatolian acid of Istanbul Ghetto Club.
Once more, the festival will shine a light on the evolution of soundsystem and MC culture, with ghetto house from Kaba & Hyas, jungle and ragga from Congo Natty & Phoebs, and dancehall and afrobeat from Mina & Bryte.
Certain under-represented scenes from the global South and East will also be in the spotlight, thanks to – among others – Ale Hop & Laura Robles (Peru), 33EMYBW & Joey Holder (Shanghai), and Ibaaku (Senegal).
But festival-goers may also decide to spend their hours dancing to the sound of what promises to be an intense and memorable series of dj sets, including house pioneer Kerri Chandler, whose reel-to-reel show – in which he mixes using reel-to-reel tape recorders – will get its first airing in France, and a long back-to-back set by melodic techno heavyweights Mind Against & Recondite.