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Speakers Corner Quartet celebrate Arthur Russell

A fixture of South London’s experimental scene, Speakers Corner Quartet are known for their shapeshifting sound – a blend of jazz, electronics and hip-hop rooted in improvisation. Comprised of Raven Bush, Peter Bennie, Kwake Bass and Biscuit, Speakers Corners Quartet pay tribute this year at RALLY to the late Arthur Russell – the genre-defying cellist and composer whose influence stretches from disco to minimalism.

Over the past year, the group has returned to Russell’s work in a series of distinct projects. In April 2024, they joined Lucinda Chua at Barbican for Travels Over Feeling: The Music of Arthur Russell, a live performance marking the release of Richard King’s biography of the same name. More recently, they released a cover of ‘This Is How We Walk On the Moon’, featuring vocals by Tirzah. The track served as the lead single from their original score for the BBC One adaptation of Mr Loverman, which aired in November 2024.

I’ve been a Tirzah fan since a performance at Tate Modern so long ago I can’t even find it online. I’ve been an Arthur Russell fan since discovering World of Echo (1986), the only LP he released during his lifetime under his own name. His tragically premature death left behind a vast, fragmented archive that has since become the subject of countless tributes – Apartment House’s performance of Tower of Meaning (1983) at Cafe OTO in 2023 has remained with me since. Originally written for a Robert Wilson theatre production that never materialised, the piece drifts through Rosicrucian harmonies, Christian Wolff’s Exercises and medieval French polyphony. I’m excited to see how Speakers Corner Quartet draw Russell into their own evolving language – one rooted in live experimentation and restless musical openness.

Astrid Sonne

Astrid Sonne, the Danish composer and violist, is part of a wave of musicians reshaping European alt-pop. A graduate of Copenhagen’s Rhythmic Music Conservatory (RMC) in 2019 – a school recently profiled in The Guardian as a quiet powerhouse of experimental talent – RMC, which emphasises artistic development and emotional expression over a purely formal training, has become an incubator for musicians like Sonne, Erika de Casier, Smerz, ML Buch and Clarissa Connelly.

Sonne's latest album, Great Doubt, charts her evolution from classical training to electronic experimentation, blending viola, synthesizers and vocals into something both precise and affective. At RALLY, we’re excited for a performance that moves fluidly across electronic, classical and experimental idioms – offering a glimpse into the future of avant-garde pop.

Geordie Greep

Geordie Greep, formerly the frontman of the experimental rock band black midi, brings his solo project to RALLY this year. His debut album, The New Sound, released in October 2024, showcases a fusion of progressive rock, art rock and Latin influences, reflecting his eclectic musical background. Greep's performances are characterised by theatrical flair and complex storytelling, often featuring characters that navigate the absurdities of modern life. 

POiSON GiRL FRiEND

Emerging from Tokyo's vibrant 1990s electronic scene, POiSON GiRL FRiEND – also known as Noriko Sekiguchi – crafts a unique blend of ambient pop, trip-hop and synth-driven dreamscapes influenced by her multicultural upbringing. Exposure to Brazilian rhythms, French chanson and the UK's club culture enriched her sound, allowing her to integrate a variety of genres into her work. Her 1992 debut album, Melting Moment, is an innovative fusion of ambient house textures with classical string arrangements.

After a period of relative quiet, POiSON GiRL FRiEND re-emerged in the 2010s, releasing albums like rondoElectro (2014) and das Gift (2018), confirming her position in the avant-garde music scene. Her recent collaborations, including a feature on Sega Bodega and Mayah Alkhateri's ‘So Many Ways’ in 2023, speak to her continued relevance and adaptability in contemporary music.

IKLECTIK

Since its inception in 2014, IKLECTIK has stood as a cornerstone of London's experimental arts scene. Operating as a nonprofit creative organisation, it has been dedicated to supporting live experimental sound, art and technology. In early 2024, IKLECTIK was forced to vacate its cherished Old Paradise Yard location due to plans for developments.The organisation subsequently launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to establish a new ART LAB – a dedicated creative hub for experimentalists across disciplines – and to continue its NOMADIK program, bringing live events to various venues across London and beyond. At RALLY Festival, IKLECTIK's presence underscores its commitment to fostering avant-garde art and music.

Moin

Moin – the trio of Joe Andrews and Tom Halstead (Raime) with percussionist Valentina Magaletti – have carved out a singular space in contemporary experimental music. Their 2021 debut album, Moot!, channeled the raw energy of '90s post-hardcore and post-punk, drawing comparisons to bands like Slint and Shellac.

Their latest releases, You Never End (2024) and Belly Up EP (2025), mark a significant evolution. Incorporating vocal contributions from artists such as Coby Sey and Sophia Al-Maria, the album blends shoegaze textures with dub rhythms, creating a sound that's both atmospheric and rhythmically complex. I’m particularly excited to see Moin play at RALLY because of Valentina Magaletti, whose prolific output includes projects like Vanishing Twin, Holy Tongue and Tomaga, as well as collaborations with artists such as Lafawndah and Nicolas Jaar. Her ability to navigate diverse musical landscapes makes her one of the most compelling percussionists in contemporary music.

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The Toe Rag is a quarterly print magazine covering contemporary culture, spanning visual art, music, architecture, theatre, performance, fashion, politics and literature. Founded in December 2023, they publish work that is formally ambitious, considered and incisive. Issues feature essays, reviews, interviews, fiction, poetry and art, back pages include event listings, puzzles, games, an agony aunt and a Page 3.

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