AVA Put Belfast At The Centre Of The World's Electronic Music Map

Northern Ireland's largest electronic music festival, AVA has cemented itself as one of the leading electronic music and digital visual arts festivals in Europe showcasing a host of world leading talent across two days in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Now in its fourth year the festival has expanded greatly – offering a host of free conferences at The MAC, a two-day Festival at S13, and bespoke events across the city, highlighting the demand for electronic music & visual arts events in Northern Ireland and drawing over 40% of its visitors from across the globe to this fine city.

Not only has the Festival's reputation grown as a leading event and conference, with satellite events popping up across the UK & Ireland, but over 12 million people continue to watch AVA online, via the world's leading online music broadcaster Boiler Room.

Home grown hero's such as Orla, Jordan and Timmy Stewart have gained global recognition through the online broadcasted stage at AVA Festival, generating international touring dates, whilst drawing more tourists into the city in search of the unmissable atmosphere created by the Belfast crowd's.

AVA Creative Director, Sarah Mcbriar said: "AVA stands for more than Audio Visual Arts, it represents a platform and a community of forward thinking artists, dancers, thinkers who come together to create an event with an atmosphere like no other place in the world.

"When we started AVA 4 years ago, there was a clear vision, but what it has become is so much more."

Details of AVA's extended programme have just dropped, including a Sunday session with Rush Hour's Antal, a Thursday warm-up with live performances from R. Kitt and Age of Aquarius, plus a film screening of Nils Frahm's 'VICTORIA' for those looking to extend the weekend. AVA are also proud to add four visual artists to the festival programme with Japanese artist Yoko Seyama, as well as creative studio Guerrilla Shout, Paul Doran and Mark Ervine all showcasing installations across two days of the festival.



- CONFERENCE -

Friday 1st June sees the AVA conference offering hands on interaction with industry leaders including Native Instruments and Pioneer DJ. Leading the proceedings with a headline Keynote, Larry Heard delves into the creative process behind his brand new album, 25 years on. Catch a live masterclass from the wizard, KiNK, while panels, workshops and more offer provide an exploration into the new wave of Irish talent and their global counterparts, with Bicep, Timmy Stewart, Native Instruments and more all onboard.

- FESTIVAL -

In it's new dystopian home a disused B&Q warehouse, three stages become four. Larry Heard makes his NI debut with a live headline show, plus expect a sounds spanning hard-hitting steel lined techno, acid jams through to infectious house from Helena Hauff, Rødhåd, Timmy Stewart and more. Local heroes rep for Belfast, with Holly Lester and Quinton Campbell making their Boiler Room debut alongside Job Jobse, Mano Le Tough plus rave mavericks LumenxDSNT host the Smirnoff stage, with Myler, Ossian, Stephanie Sykes and more in tow. Saturday is about dancefloor heat with revered Rush Hour dons Hunee, Sassy J, and grassroots talents Swoose and Cromby, Sally C and Bramo and Hamo among the names set to storm the Loading Bay. Expect vibes from tastemakers Jayda G and Moxie, while dancers can enjoy Midland in the infamous Boiler Room following Sunil Sharpe, Aalice and more.

- EXTRA ACTIVITIES - THURSDAY / SUNDAY -

For those keen to extend the weekender or take some more time to experience Belfast itself, AVA will now host an opening screening of arthouse film 'Victoria' at Queens Film Theatre on Thursday 31 May.

The film scored by Nils Frahm is a perfect cultural start to the weekend. Warming up for the main event, catch live performances from R.Kitt and Age of Aquarius at the Bullitt Hotel. Also, for those wanting to keep the fire burning there's a closing party with Rush Hour kingpin Antal on Sunday 3rd June.

2018 is set to be AVA's grandest yet. Expect a jaw-dropping production, a carefully curated, diverse and exciting line-up and an inimitable crowd. From the conference to the main event - there's something for every one between Main Stage, Boiler Room, Red Bull Music Academy, and Smirnoff's brand new fourth stage. With less than 5 weeks go, don't sleep on full AVA weekend tickets from just £75.

AVA FESTIVAL AND CONFERENCE 2018
1st to 2nd June 2018 || Belfast || avafestival.com

FESTIVAL LINE UP :
Floorplan - KiNK (Live) - Bicep - Helena Hauff - Rodhad - DVS1 - Hunee - Denis Sulta - Mall Grab - Job Jobse - Mano Le Tough - Jayda G - Midland - Or:la - Hammer - Overmono - Saoirse - Timmy Stewart - Sunil Sharpe - Sassy J - Moxie - Mella Dee - Twitch - Swoose + Cromby - Jordan - Inside Moves - Brame + Hamo -Jika Jika - Sally C - DJ Deece - Misfit - Mark Blair - Long Island Sound - Nez - LOR - Quinton Campbell - Cailin - – Carlton Doom - Peter Brien - Holly Lester - Dallas – GIRl – Guerrilla Shout – Cave DJs –Aalice B2B Lucy Ironmonger (Meat Free) – High Hoops

CONFERENCE LINE UP :
Larry Heard aka Mr Fingers - Bicep - Kink (Live Masterclass) - Resident Advisor - Native Sessions - Smirnoff Equalizing Music - PRS For Music - Help Musicians NI - Musicians Union - Believe Distribution - Sentric Electronic - Pioneer DJ - District Magazine - Four Four - Extended Play - Craigie Knowes - Timmy Stewart - Bodytonic - Stephanie Sykes - Cailin – Aalice - Yoko Seyama - Guerrilla Shout - Paul Doran - SARC - Belfast Music Production Academy - Pioneer DJ - Patch Blocks - Native Instruments - Record Fair - AVA Pro - Emerging Talent Programmes

CLOSING PARTY || TICKET HOLDERS SIGN UP HERE.
Sunday 3rd June || The Night Department + The Bear and The Doll, Belfast City Centre
Antal (Rush Hour)

AVA OPENING SCREENING : VICTORIA || TICKETS FROM £6.95 : https://bit.ly/2FaAwbN
Thursday 31st May 2018 || QFT Belfast

AVA OPENING SHOW : R.KITT (LIVE) | AGE OF AQUARIUS (LIVE)
Thursday 31st May 2018 || Bullitt Hotel
Free Entry