Get ready Pittsburgh, have we got an exciting 72-hour weekend for you.
From Oct. 1-3, artists from all corners of the globe, including Buenos Aires, Saskatoon, Paris, and San Francisco will converge on the Strip District’s massive 31st St. Film Studios, when an ambitious homegrown audio-visual event secures Pittsburgh’s place within the international festival circuit.
Blurring boundaries between electronic music, visual artists, game design, and live music visualization, the much anticipated VIA music and new media festival is gearing up to activate a variety of Pittsburgh venues with an impressive lineup of performances, productions, workshops and activities.
Featuring some of the planet’s top figures in cutting-edge music, sound and video, the city’s premiere AV festival kicks off Friday, Oct. 1, with free all-ages workshops at Carnegie Mellon.
In a nod to well-established festivals such as Spain’s Sonar and Austin’s SXSW, VIA’s talented team of event producers have culled an impressive selection of performers that’s already captured the attention of the national media. Dubbed a “blushing debutante” by Resident Advisor, the leading online electronic music mag selected VIA for its “Top 10 Festivals of October” list.
Resisting pigeon-hole status, VIA’s music menu represents a diverse yet coherent range of styles, including everything from electronic, hip hop and house, to cumbia, dubstep and experimental rock. VIA-goers will have mind expanding opportunities to hear live New Orleans bounce alongside techno and turntablism, while also interacting with an array of experiential videos, games and installations.
They may not be household names in Pittsburgh (yet!), but open up The New York Times or The Wire and you’ll see these names. VIA set the bar high, inviting major figures such as Ghostly International founder Matthew Dear, Flying Lotus electronica pioneer Tokimonsta, Atlanta-based turntablists Craze & Klever, and vintage synth master Oneohtrix Point Never.
Pairing global acts and emergent figures with local luminaries, VIA puts Pittsburgh’s best foot forward in terms of visual and aural talent. Reigning kings of dancepunk, !!!, who just released their latest LP on Warp Records, now features Pittsburgh’s own Paul Quattrone on drums. The Burgh is heavily in the house, with appearances by Zombi art-noise makers Steve Moore and AE Paterra, as well as sets by sound experimentreuse Margaret Cox, breakcore producer Xanopticon, and hip-hop group Shindiggaz.
The brainchild of University of Pittsburgh graduate Lauren Goshinski and NY/NJ native Quinn Leonowicz, who have made a name for themselves locally as DJs, VIA serves as a nexus for the local production and presentation of progressive art and sound. The pair share a contagious passion for Pittsburgh and to that, they bring a deep awareness of contemporary media and music.
With their VIA collaborators, Goshinki and Leonowicz hope to blur boundaries between artistic and entertainment experiences. This conceptual vision extends to their choice of a venue, one that speaks to both Pittsburgh’s past and future. With 100,000 square feet at their disposal, VIA’s 12-hour Saturday marathon at 31st St. Studios will offer audiences a glimpse into a rarely seen creative hub that links Pittsburgh to Hollywood.
Did we mention that tickets are reasonably priced?
Jennifer Baron is Pop City’s Pop Filter editor. Send feedback here.
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