Conclusions to Signal & Noise @ VIVO

There are many conclusions to this excess of creative energy during the last 3 days at the VIVO Signal & Noise (S+N) Festival. One of such conclusions could espouse the favorites of the show, according to one or two spectators. One could also speak of all the gear s/he saw, and all the notes s/he could take on compatibility, creativity, complexity of all that gear. I recall seeing many a versions of music studios as exemplified by the picture above. And, in light of such diversity, you can only surmise the possibilities of tech-toys, gear, instruments, cabling, patches, petals and other stuff which is oh-so-intimate to the contemporary tweaker.

But this article isn't about music gear. I want to speak of the show during these days, of the time there, of the energy, from an inclusive and celebratory perspective. So, in light of my subjectivity -- and subjectivity no less -- i will try to do justice to NOT just a few performers who may have really stood out and, in so doing, do so without prejudice to the rest BUT INSTEAD i will leave that for the opinionated music snob elsewhere. But, "Why" you ask? My reasons are as follows.

There were over 40 artists at this fest; so naturally i can only speak of the general aura of the nights without prejudice to, or without preferring anyone to an other. I respectfully hesitate to have these opinions publically you see, even if i have them privately so some extent. Thus, whilst speaking to the theme of "Lost & Found" i must confess a superb awe at the breadth of selections and surreal, cut-up samples showcased not only in the video, slideshows, and live performances but obviously also at the Signal + Noise element (read: spontaneous live music) of the festival. I took a liking to the relatively balanced representation of both male and female performers and also the references to Aboroginal issues, as well frequent allusions to issues of the absurdity of armament and warfare, from a critical cross-cultural and anti-colonial perspective. With issues and concepts as broad and complex as these, you can understand that, instead of boasting and favoring any particular artist/performer over another, i can only speak of the musical, ethical, and political references i traced during the festival.

Those who i've talked to during the shows (and there was alot of dialogue which was great) including myself, show a general consensus on the following and, can easily locate tributes to the following names: Autechre, Dj Spooky, Arovane, Basic Channel, Bassic, Vladislav Delay, Magnetophone, Mogwai, Musmimgauze, Freight Elevator, Underworld, Philip Glass, Penderecki, and, ... thus, since so many of these range all over the categorical-slash-genre globe, i should like to applaud the artists at the fest for such rich references. Sorry for not giving you guys all the links but, frankly, a list of links would be worse than doing an Allmusic Guide search yourself. ;)

I'd like to hear what everyone else has to say of this fest, as i don't want to have the definitive tone about this. I give the floor-slash-mic-slash-nobs to the rest of you.