A celebration of the independent lifeblood which flows through today’s culture, Restless Natives Festival is a celebration of the subversive, the brazen and uncompromising artists that are willing to make art that is completely of their own devising.
Held in Glasgow’s East End, the the inaugural event is set to get underway on Monday (9th May) and will bring a myriad of prolific artists from across the world whilst simultaneously shining a light on pivotal homegrown talent.
From a musical perspective, this year’s line-up consists of a tremendous line-up of artists that have plied their trade in a league of their own and have remained resolute in their commitment to creating material which simply cannot be turned away from and is also bolstered by a series of great music based films for revelers to indulge in.
With this in mind, here’s our (in no particular order) overview of the best gigs and events to check out over the course of the festival.
TIM HECKER + BLANCK MASS @ ST LUKE’S
Hailing from Montreal, Tim Hecker’s work in the field of ambient and electronica at large is nothing short of absolutely masterful.
Experimenting with any sound or concept which may weasel its way into his sub-conscience, his career has been an exercise in confounding the uninitiated whilst leaving those that find solace in his deeply rousing material in a state of unconfined euphoria. A veteran of the industry with 8 full length albums under his belt, his 2016 offering Love Streams is a wonderfully constructed record and undoubtedly ranks above his best to date.
In addition to soaking in his splendorous material, those in attendance will also be treated to the warped sounds of Blanck Mass; also known as Benjamin John Power of the infamous Fuck Buttons.
Possessing a sound which confronts the listener and bludgeons them with a sonic experience that is unlike anything else, his self-titled debut and its follow-up Dead Format are not for the close-minded but are a truly enriching experience for those with the courage to venture in.
Catch them at the grandiose St Luke’s venue alongside Edinburgh’s Dalhous on Sunday 15th May.
TUFF LOVE, AMERICAN CLAY AND KILLER BANGS @ Collective Studios
Having firmly planted their flag in the ground with debut LP Resort, Tuff Love are a group that have all the capabilities to establish themselves far beyond their home city of Glasgow.
Armed with a deluge of gloriously lo-fi pop at their disposal, the band’s sound is one which beckons you in and can leave you absolutely transfixed. Led by Julie and Suse, expect a rowdy performance and one which further cement their place in Scotland’s music scene.
Supporting them is American Clay, a band that propelled themselves onto our radar with their fantastic debut offering ‘Talk.’ With a sound that derives its energy from the finest outfits in American alt-rock, they are sure to go down a storm at this hotly anticipated gig.
Flanked by up-and-coming alt pop group Killer Bangs, the show will take place at Collective Studios on Sunday 15th May.
GHOSTFACE KILLAH @ ST LUKE’S
A titan of hip-hop ever since his emergence from Wu Tang’s lauded 36 Chambers, Staten Island’s Ghostface Killah is a genuine pioneer. An MC whose flow and style is regularly copied but seldom paralleled, GFK has been at the forefront of New York’s hip-hop landscape and has a plethora of seminal solo albums such as Ironman, Supreme Clientele and Fishscale under his belt. Remaining in fine form over the past couple of years with records such as 36 Seasons and Sour Soul; his collaborative project with Canadian jazz outfit BadBadNotGood, this show is quite simply a must.
Catch the Wu Tang legend at St Luke’s on Friday 13th May.
NIGHTWAVE + HQFU + YUTANI+ WUH OH @ COLLECTIVE STUDIOS
An eclectic mix of the finest electronic producers operating in and around Glasgow, Hot Gem is bringing a night of enthralling music to the Collective Studios. Featuring the ever-popular Nightwave alongside rising stars such as HQFU, Yutani and Wuh Oh, it’s sure to be one which shouldn’t be missed by any connoisseur of innovative material. Catch this show on Wednesday 11th May.
INTO IT. OVER IT. + THE HOTELIER @ ST LUKE’S
A staple of the modern music scene, Evan Weiss once began life as a solo artist before transforming Into it. Over It. into a fully fledged and multi-faceted band.
With three studio albums of heartfelt and impassioned music, those who’ve yet to be seduced by the band’s charming output should definitely endeavour to check them out.
Additionally, the show will also feature a terrific supporting cast including hard-hitting punks The Hotelier, Rozwell Kid and Slowlight.
HAPPY MEALS @ COLLECTIVE STUDIOS
An incredible group that set the music world alight with their superbly eccentric debut LP, the duo of Suzanne Rodden and Lewis Cook create playful and colourful electro pop that is among the most inventive in recent years.
Set to return with their first release since 2014 next Friday, the gig is sure to serve as a celebration of all that makes their experimental approach to music so undeniably wonderful.
Catch them at Collective Studios on Saturday 14th May with support from The Modern Institute and Pentecostal Party.
BIG GOLD DREAM- SIDE B: THE GLASGOW SCHOOL @ DRYGATE
A companion piece to ‘Big Gold Dream’, the critically acclaimed documentary which charted Scotland’s flourishing post-punk scene, ‘Side B: The Glasgow School’ sees the filmmakers hone in on the creative hub that was Postcard Records.
Extracting information from the same interviews which spawned its predecessor, this work-in-progress film on the home of Josef K, Orange Juice and more will never be presented in this format again and will provide exclusive insights regarding the label that have never been aired before.
The film will screen at Drygate on Monday 9th May.
FUTURE OF THE LEFT+ ROLO TOMASSI + UNITED FRUIT
One of the foremost post-rock/hardcore bands of their era, Future Of The Left are a band that truly represent the ethos of the festival. Fiercely independent and nothing short of revolutionary when they exploded onto the scene, recent years have seen this Welsh trio fire on all cylinders and turn in some of the finest records of their entire career.
Supported by the abrasive yet thrilling sounds of Rolo Tomassi and Glasgow’s very own United Fruit, this night of stellar live music will take place on Saturday 14th May.
BREAKFAST MUFF + SPINNING COIN + THE POOCHES + ODD LAW + THE BIN MEN @ 13th Note
Presented by Glasgow-based DIY label Fuzzkill Records, The 13th Note will play host to a smorgasbord of fantastic lo-fi pop and rock. Headlined by hotly tipped act Breakfast Muff and the outstanding Spinning Coin, it’s rare to see an amalgamation of many of the city’s finest rising bands all under one roof and it’s a chance that’s not to be missed.
BLOOD, SWEAT & VINYL: DIY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
A film which delves into the underground spirit which resides within the artists that seek to earn a living whilst refusing to cow-tow to the expectations of the mainstream, ‘Blood, Sweat & Vinyl: DIY in the 21st Century’ is a stark look at the life of modern day bands and the struggles which they face. Featuring insights from bands such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Neurosis, Made Out Of Babies and more, it’s a fantastic look at those artists that have dared to traverse the musical landscape in their own subversive lane.
The film will be screened on Monday 9th May at The Lodging Mission House.
Check out the full line-up and more at their Website.
