Moogfest is an annual electronic music festival that takes place in Asheville, North Carolina towards the end of April. The festival is held in Asheville because it is the city where Robert Arthur “Bob” Moog, the inventor of the Moog synthesizer and founding father of electronic music, spent the last thirty years of his life. Moogfest is put on to honor the creativity and inventiveness that Bob Moog had spread throughout the course of his life.
On Tuesday, May 20, Buncombe County will consider a request from Moogfest for $250,000 in public funding to produce the technology, art and music festival again next year.
Nile Rogers and his band CHIC have written, produced and performed some of the greatest pop hits of all time. “Please don’t think we’re a cover band,” Niles said of their set in Thomas Wolfe on Saturday. “They’re all songs I wrote in the first place!” Photographer David J. Simchock captured the show for Xpress.
It’s a hard spot to be in: Playing a set at the same time the festival headliner goes on stage. In the case of local producer/DJ/singer-songwriter Marley Carroll, he was up against none other than M.I.A.
Local soul/chill-wave/indie-rock outfit RBTS WIN, usually a duo onstage, expanded to a four-piece for an energetic and heartfelt performance as part of the Hopscotch Showcase at Emerald Lounge. Photos by Tariq Zeidan.
The panel was titled “The Nature of Creativity,” but when artists and creatives Marcia Jones, Sanford Biggers, Saul Williams and Greg Tate took the Millroom stage, it was clear that the four weren’t concerned with sticking to any one subject. Photos by Tariq Zeidan
Moogfest hit max frenzy on Saturday with a secret show by Washed Out, a performance by CHIC with Nile Rodgers and M.I.A. bringing all the Asheville Bad Girls on to the stage.
Two Fresh, otherwise known as twin brothers Kendrick and Sherwyn Nicholls, performed on the Broadway stage on Saturday. View the images from photographer Tariq Zeidan.
Moderat, also known as Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary, performed at Diana Wortham on Friday. Check out their photos of set by photographer David Simchock.
German electronic band Kraftwerk formed in 1970. And, while the band’s show felt distinctly retro, it was hard not to get caught up in the dancey beats, campy lyrics and throw-back fun.
One of many free events taking place as part of Moogfest, Colliderfest was held at Emerald Lounge from 3p.m. to midnight on Friday. It included music, installations and climate data from local groups.
Hip hop legend Mix Master Mike and Grammy-winning Italian producer Giorgio Moroder played back-to-back April 25 sets at Moogfest’s free outdoor stage on Broadway Ave. Both acts drew big, enthusiastic crowds. Check out the photos by Tariq Zeidan.
Gavin Russom spent nearly four hours on Friday afternoon pushing the limits of Moog synthesizers at the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design as part of a three-day series of Immersive, Improvisatory, Durational performances. Photos by Tariq Zeidan
Proof that downward facing dog and synthesizers were made for one another, a roomful of mid-morning stretchers started off Moogfest with an invigorating hour of Moog Yoga at Biltmore Avenue‘s Go Yoga.
