The Swedish festival for experimental music and art Intonal is back for another year. Set in Malmö in the southernmost part of Sweden, the festival has grown from being an Atonal-inspired local event to a European festival of note, with collaborations with many different countries including Georgia and Holland. Describing themselves as a “sanctuary for experimental minds and bodies in motion” their focus is both on live music and clubbing, but also sound art and cross-disciplinary artforms.
After a smaller program during the pandemic year of 2021, they’re now back with an ambitious lineup that includes different cultural expressions (after having been a very ‘white’ event to begin with). Some of the artists to check out this year include the Kinshasa collective Fulu Miziki, who’ve been together for 15 years, as well as Congolese-Belgian artist and DJ Nkisi who opened the festival yesterday. As usual the festival was launched with a free event consisting many of ambient music, which was this time held in the courtyard behind local record store Rundgång.
Today’s highlight is a rare Swedish show from American experimental musician Grouper, who I last saw about 10 years ago – also at Inkonst, which is the main venue and organiser of Intonal. Grouper is playing in S:t Johannes church, which has been the scene of many already legendary concerts throughout the history of Intonal.
Among the local artists, I would recommend Fågelle which is the moniker of the now Berlin-based Klara Andersson. I’ve previously seen her perform at the PLX festival and looking forward to seeing her again. Malmö-based duo Lilium is also doing a rare performance.
I’m mostly looking forward to seeing Hiro Kone from New York though. We wrote about her recent album Silvercoat the Throng last year and I really love her 2019 record as well. On the club music side I can’t wait to hear Italian label boss Elena Colombi, who will hopefully bring some of the vibe from her Amsterdam-based Osàre! Editions.
If you’re into electro don’t miss CTRLS from Copenhagen, who just played at the 10-year anniversary of Mechatronica last weekend. If you’re not able to visit the festival you can follow the live broadcast on Mutant Radio, in collaboration with local station Retreat (beginning at 6pm today). Local DJ Rumina is hitting the decks later tonight.
