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Moogfest 2018 takes Durham, NC May 18-20. The conglomeration of music, technology, and culture features a bevy of events. Trying to fill up your schedule? Here’s the Moogfest 2018 best picks music edition!
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Moogfest 2018 Best Picks: Music Edition
On the music fest front, Moogfest 2018 is loaded with a variety of talent. To get you in the mood, check out Cup of Moe’s Moogfest 2018 essentials playlist featuring curated selections by artists gracing the many venue stages at 2018 Moogfest.
KRS-One
Hip hop giant KRS-One boasts an impressive catalog of more than 20 LPs and countless collaborations. The renowned emcee touches on socio-political topics and has lectured at more than 500 universities. Among the best-known KRS-One tracks, there’s “Sound of the Police,” which weighs in on police violence. KRS championed the Stop the Violence Movement which spoke out against police brutality. Boogie Down Production’s “Love’s Gonna Get’cha” warns against materialism. There’s a reason KRS-One is known as the Teacha. This is certainly one show to catch at Moogfest 2018.
When: Saturday May 19, 2018 10:45pm – Sunday May 20, 2018 12:00am
Where: Carolina Theatre Fletcher Hall 306 W Morgan St, Durham, NC 27701
Kelela
Ethiopian-American singer-songwriter Kelela dropped the 2013 Cut 4 Me mixtape which garnered cticial acclaim. In 2015, her follow up Hallucinogen provdes a narrative of dealing with a relationship. 2017’s Take Me Apart was similarly lauded by fans and critics alike. I had the great pleasure of seeing Kelela perform at Hopscotch 2016 and her set was easily one of my favorites. Her poignant lyrics crooned over hypnotic electronic beats make Kelela’s set a must-catch at Moogfest 2018.
When: Thursday May 17, 2018 11:00pm – Friday May 18, 2018 12:15am
Where: Carolina Theatre Fletcher Hall 306 W Morgan St, Durham, NC 27701
Mouse on Mars
Electronic music duo Mouse on Mars is comprised of Jan St. Werner from Köln, and Düsseldorf’s Andi Toma. Stylistically, Mouse on Mars melds analog synth, cross-frequency modulation, and live instrumentation. Dimensional People may be Mouse on Mars’s most ambitions album to date. As such, their Moogfest 2018 show holds much promise. Definitely consider adding the Mouse on Mars to your interactive Moogfest calendar.
When: Friday May 18, 2018 11:15pm – Saturday May 19, 2018 12:30am
Where: Carolina Theatre Fletcher Hall 306 W Morgan St, Durham, NC 27701
Shabazz Palaces
Personally, Shabazz Palaces ranks among the artists slated to perform at Moogfest 2018 that’s got me bugging out. With a truly unique soundscape, this hip hop collab is comprised of Ishmael Butler aka Butterfly from Digable Plents, and Tendai “Baba” Maraire. In 2009, Ish and Baba dropped Eagles Soar, Oil Flows and The Seven New before signing to Sup Pop to debut their full-length LP Black Up in 2011. Since their 2009 inception, Shabazz Palaces released Lese Majesty, Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star and Quazarz vs. the Jealous Machines. Considering their fusion of hip hop with multi-cultural beats ranging from jazzy to funk-infused, Shabazz Palaces is poised to drop a gem of a show.
When: Friday May 18, 2018 11:30pm – Saturday May 19, 2018 12:30am
Where: The Armory 220 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701
Suzanne Ciani
Italian-American composer Suzanne Ciani is a five-time Grammy nominated artist. The electronic music pioneer is scheduled to perform a live scoring of “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” the 1920s silent horror film. Ciani’s live scoring is a can’t miss because of her electronic music prowess, as well as the unique format of this show. Admittedly, I’m a bit biased since I’m a film buff with a soft spot for synth music. Regardless, this is an under-the-radar Moogfest 2018 show.
When: Thursday May 17, 2018 8:00pm – 9:30pm
Where: The Armory 220 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701
Waajeed
Producer and DJ Waajeed learned the art of DJing in Detroit. Dude is multi-talented, dabbling in photography, even designing album covers for the likes of SLum Village. His genre-bending DJ skills hit Durham for Moogfest 2018, a show I’m notably excited for.
When: Friday May 18, 2018 8:30pm – 9:30pm
Where: The Armory 220 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701
Jamila Woods
Soul singer, poet, and songwriter Jamila Woods graces Moogfest 2018 with her powerful presence. Her lyrics are packed with emotion, leaving loads to unpack and dissect. With a minimalist instrumental backing, Woods offers a head-bobbing musicality which translates to exquisite live performances. TL;DR: Add this to your schedule y’all.
When: Thursday May 17, 2018 9:30pm – 10:30pm
Where: Carolina Theatre Fletcher Hall 306 W Morgan St, Durham, NC 27701
J Rocc
DJ and turntablist J Rocc counded the Beat Junkies in the early 90s. Rocc has DJed for the likes of Stones Throw legend Madlib, and collaborated with Madlib and J Dilla for supergroup Jaylib. Catch J Rocc exhibit his skills on the turntable in what promises to be a Moogfest 2018 highlight.
When: Saturday May 19, 2018 9:30pm – 10:45pm
Where: Carolina Theatre Fletcher Hall 306 W Morgan St, Durham, NC 27701
Armen Ra
Persian-Armenian theremin guru Armen Ra takes the stage at Moogfest 2018 for what should be one of the most intriguing performances at the music fest. The theremin itself is a novel instrument, best known as that warbling, eerie sound in 50s sci-fi flicks. Theremins consist of two antennas which sense the position of the thereminst’s hands, controlling amplitude and frequency. Because of the theremin which Ra plays, this should be a show as enjoyable to watch as hear.
When: Friday May 18, 2018 7:45pm – 8:45pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church 305 East Main St, Durham, NC 27701
Fatima Al Qadiri
With Shaneera, a superb EP by Fatima Al Qadiri, the artist presents an “evil extreme femme alter ego.” It’s loaded with an Arabic musicality which blends with dubstep undertone, forming a fascinating, multi-cultural conglomeration of sound. Its present-day club meets retro synth with a hearty side of traditional Middle Eastern aesthetics makes for delightful listening.
When: Saturday May 19, 2018 11:00pm – Sunday May 20, 2018 12:15am
Where: Motorco Music Hall 723 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC 27701
While these are my best Moogfest 2018 music picks, the schedule is stacked with tons of awesome artists. Which shows do you recommend?
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