Loftas Fest is one of a kind urban festival for music and contemporary art in Vilnius, Lithuania. Located in a district called New Town. For two nights, September 13-14th, the former factory territory will be filled with music acts, such as MODESELEKTOR, shame, shortparis, alyona alyona and many others; art performances, light projections, film and much more. The great thing about it all – entrance to most areas is free of charge.
According to the organizers, Victor and Živilė Diawaras, Loftas Fest is meant to represent the events, happening in Art Factory all-year long. Its mission is to spread alternative music and art and to popularize urban culture and its specific way of life. During the 8 years it has become an attraction for not only those living in the capital but for city guests from other parts of the country and abroad as well.
“It’s a multicultural and inter-disciplinary event, presenting music acts that are popular across the globe, rising European and Lithuanian bands, alongside with contemporary dance, theater, visual art and performances. I can tell from experience that two festival goers may end up with completely different experiences, depending on their taste and the route they decide to take“, – says Ž.Diawara.
Music: Electro-Friday and Rock’n’Roll Saturday
Naturally, the largest part and the very foundation of the festival is the music. The main musical attractions this year is the famed electronic duo from Berlin Modeselektor. Along side with one of the most exciting post-punk bands from Britain shame. These artists will headline the Main Stage on Friday and Saturday respectively.
The Main Stage being the only paid zone in the festival, all other areas are free of charge. With seven stages in total, there is something for everyone in Loftas Fest. This includes the European music exchange programme stage Europavox. This stage will feature such artists as the infamous reputation shortparis, French rockers MNNQNS, Ukranian hip-hop phenomenon alyona alyona, Danish soul sweatheart Iris Gold and many more.
“We select most of the artists by ourselves, by going to various festivals and showcases, each ear we visit at least a few. This way we find perspective band at the very start of their carreers. Then we select those who show the most potential to go forward“, – says V.Diawara, the founder of Loftas.
A city inside a city
It’s difficult to imagine a more fitting place for an urban festival than Vilnius New Town, where Art Factory Loftas is located. Formerly, an industrial part of the city, full of factories making everything from socks to radio equipment. Nowadays, it’s becoming an increasingly popular area for creative studios, bars and apartments and in this case, concert venue Loftas.
One project that changes the area most dramatically, therefore being one of the main attractions of the festival, is Open Gallery, a street art project, started 3 years ago. Until the festival the gallery will feature 9 new works in addition to 25 already existing by such artists as Thelmo Miel, Claude Blo, Marija Tiurina and others. With art performances, light projections and music on every corner, for two September
nights Loftas Fest for the 8th time will become a a magical place for every curious music and art lover.
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