Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium

MAGYAR POSSE / CIRCLE
8 pm – 10.30 pm Balzaal (doors 7.30 pm)

Magyar Posse could best be described as the heavier and tighter-sounding brother of Antwerp band DAAU. We can already tell you that Magyar Posse’s harmonic and orchestrated songs will linger in your mind for a fair amount of time. In their home country, Magyar Posse are quite successful and they took home the best album of the year award for the 2004 Kings of Time. The band from Pori, a town in the northwest of Finland, have an outstanding live reputation and released their third album, Random Avenger last year.

Circle has been key to the Finnish alternative scene since the 90s, while also gathering fame across the globe. Circle Founder Lassi Lehtisalo swirls across the stage like a crazy dervish.
Circle, also from Pori, blends genres that you would expect to clash. Post-rock, metal, jazz, psychedelics: you name it, they play it. When the band first started playing, they were firmly rooted in Krautrock: solid guitar walls, heavy bass lines, tribal drum rhythms and Lethisalo’s hypnotizing voice were the basic ingredients for every song. The band still likes to kick up a storm once in a while, but has now also ventured into soundscapes and minimalist music. An overview of the Finnish underground in one concert.

PAN SONIC & ARNE DEFORCE
11 pm – 11.45 pm Theaterzaal (doors:10.30 pm)

The experimental electronic duo Pan Sonic was at the cradle of the Finnish electronic scene. In the early 90s, founders Mika Vainio and Ilpo Väisänen were inspired by industrial rock bands such as Einstürzende Neubauten, but nowadays they don’t shy away from reggae or rockabilly either. Not only do they work with laptops and other electronic apparatus, they also convert old typewriters, which sums up Pan Sonic perfectly: music without borders.

Belgian cellist Arne Deforce shares his passion for improvisation and electronics with the Finns from Pan Sonic. The musician from Oostende combines his cello with a dash of electronics and keeps off the beaten track, just like Pan Sonic. His love for unplayable works is the perfect example of this. In the past he has worked with renowned composers such as Jonathan Harvey, while also playing in the experimental ensemble Champ d’Action.

For Etoiles Polaires 07 Arne Deforce and Pan Sonic jammed together on several occasions. It quickly became clear that the musicians got along great, so you’ll get to see more of this exciting collaboration after Etoiles Polaires 07.

AAVIKKO & SAMULI ALAPURANEN
midnight – 1 am Balzaal

With two vintage synthesizers and drums, Aavikko blends psychedelics, Spaghetti Western soundtracks, Russian melodies and club music. Aavikko, which means as much desert in Finnish, specializes in these weird combinations and is regarded as one of Finland’s finest musical exports.

The Guardian described Aavikko as “a soundtrack for driving across serene, snow-covered Finland with a hot coal in your pants”. No surprise then that the band is popular with a wide audience.

Especially for Etoiles Polaires 07, media artist, vj and (K-RAA-K)³ musician Samuli Alapuranen will provide the visuals at the Aavikko gig.

The concert will be followed by the POLARPARTY at 1 am in the Balzaal which will close the festival. DJ Javil will be taking placing behind the turntables from 1 till the early morning.