Being part of the 11th edition of RADAR Festival Beyond Music was an absolutely phenomenal experience. Meeting and witnessing the sheer talent of the other artists left us speechless.
Highlights of the Festival
While catching every event proved impossible, a few truly stood out.
Aki Rissanen's innovative piano performance: Witnessing Aki Rissanen perform on the groundbreaking Omniwerk instrument, invented by Jukka Ollikka and Jonte Knif, was a delight! We are all for new inventions, and the instrument, combined with Aki Rissanen's mastery, made this concert genuinely captivating.
Rebekka Salomēa and her band - SALOMEA brought the house down with their infectiously groovy, modern sound. Their electrifying performance had the whole audience singing along by the end.
Learning from the мasters: We were lucky to catch pianist Tony Roe's workshop, which was educational and enlightening. Watching him work was a privilege, and later, onstage, his talent shone brightly alongside the phenomenal saxophonist Ben Van Gelder and the skilful Bulgarian beatboxer Alexander Deyanov-Skiller, whose performance served as a powerful reminder of the human voice as a truly remarkable instrument.
Doriene Marselje's enchanting harp: Harpist Doriene Marselje showed us breathtaking artistry! Her exceptional talent and ability to tap into music's deepest, most emotive side created a truly unforgettable experience.
DECAGON: This project by Dimitar Bodurov, teamed with nine other gifted musicians, showcased the magic that happens when talent, effort, and collaboration collide. These incredible professionals came together on stage, forming a powerful and captivating ensemble with a diverse range of instruments. Their performance was further amplified by the mesmerizing visuals created by Petko Tanchev's mapping.
The workshop by the astonishing American soprano Claron McFadden - an insightful and engaging experience that offered us a fun and honest peek into the world of vocal performance.
The unforgettable encounter with Quan: The moment we heard the legendary trio Quan – Markus Stockhausen (trumpet, flugelhorn, electronics), Stefan Poetzsch (violin, viola, electronics), and Christian Thomé (drums, percussion) – play during soundcheck, we knew we were in for something unique. Their performance exceeded expectations, leading us into the tender world of pure musical joy. Their artistry and genuine warmth as people made a lasting impression.
Sharing Particules with the World
We were incredibly grateful for the long-awaited opportunity to present Particules' unique sound and concept, along with our debut album, Escape Path. The visual landscape created by our friend and aspiring visual artist Bogomil Valev (amokk) perfectly complemented the music. We're thrilled with the feedback we received. It was incredibly valuable and will undoubtedly fuel our future endeavors.
A Heartfelt Thank You
RADAR Festival Beyond Music wouldn't be possible without the dedication of so many incredible people. Our deepest thanks go to:
Svetlozara Hristova and Dimitar Bodurov, founders of Radar Festival Beyond Music: Thank you for believing in our concept and inviting us to participate in these incredible three days of genuine musical enjoyment and creative freedom.
Iskra Prodanova: A dear friend, amazing contemporary dance performer, and choreographer for lending us vital lighting equipment.
Petko Tanchev: Your invaluable advice regarding our video setting, coupled with your genius in visual arts, mapping, and scenography, truly elevated our performance.
Stage crew: For their professionalism in ensuring a seamless experience.
Sound engineers: Their expertise in creating crystal-clear sound allowed the richness and detail of the music to shine through.
Photographers and videographers: Thank you for capturing the festival's magic and preserving these memories.
Volunteers: For their tireless efforts to ensure the audience and artists felt welcome and comfortable.
Bar crew: For keeping us all cool and hydrated throughout the event.
RADAR Festival Beyond Music 2024 was an experience that will stay with us forever. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.
Photo courtesy of Elitsa Mateeva.
