Massive Attack: The Masters Who Added Depth to Electronic Music
Our first headliner for Electric Castle 10 took electronic music to a brand new level and made history. Before winning at the Brit Awards or MTV Europe Music Awards, before selling millions of albums, and becoming a household name, Massive Attack was a crew mixing hip-hop with electronic music, blended with some soul, reggae, and rap. The fusion was more contemplative and emotional, standing out from the instant gratification of club music, shaping up to become a spiritual liberation through dance and movement.
This approach was undoubtedly a first for the UK club scene. A Mixmag journalist coined the new subgenre: trip-hop, a term familiar to any fan in 2023, but rather exotic in the early '90s, unique to the Massive Attack sound. Now, artists like Bjork, Radiohead, UNKLE, and many others are labeled "trip-hop," all indebted to the sound created in Bristol's underground scene. The trip-hop pioneers are coming to Bonțida for a show that promises to be MASSIVE.
Queens of The Stone Age: a rock revolution arrives in Romania for the first time, at Electric Castle 2024
Queens of The Stone Age, alongside Foo Fighters, have dominated the hard rock and alternative rock scene in recent decades. Essentially, QOTSA is Josh Homme's project, the driving force behind the band's artistic evolution. After founding the iconic stoner rock band Kyuss and playing briefly in Screaming Trees, he formed a supergroup, pioneering a distinctive sound that diverged from his past experiments.
With a rotating lineup featuring big names like Elton John, Dave Grohl, Julian Casablancas, Trent Reznor, Mark Lanegan (worth mentioning twice), and Jon Theodore, Queens of The Stone Age have redefined the rock landscape. Homme also formed Them Crooked Vultures with Grohl and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones. Plus, he produced and performed on Iggy Pop's "Post Pop Depression," which we got a live taste of at Electric Castle. Specializing in supergroups, this supermusician brings the much-anticipated debut of Queens of The Stone Age to Romania at Electric Castle 10.
Chase And Status LIVE: Drum and Bass Done Right
Drum and bass has always been a crucial genre at Electric Castle, present in the line up of each of the 9 editions of the festival. It's only fitting to continue the tradition with one of the most significant names in drum and bass history, Chase and Status. Known to all festival-goers, they're bringing their live act, delivering their music at an intensity that eclipses their DJ sets.
Chase and Status celebrated two decades of dominance with a contemporary hit confirming their top spot in the drum and bass hierarchy. Released in July 2023, the dancehall-inspired "Baddadan" quickly became one of their most successful tracks. Even after twenty years, the British duo continues to surprise fans. Expect nothing less at Electric Castle, enjoying the unparalleled experience of Chase and Status LIVE on full display.
Bring Me The Horizon for EC10: Third EC Concert by Popular Demand
What's an Electric Castle anniversary without the band that gathers everyone at the mainstage every time they play at Bonțida? Requested every year by a loyal and hungry audience, Bring Me The Horizon returns for their third performance at Electric Castle, this time with the second part of their EP "Post Human," titled "Next Gen."
The album isn't out yet but is expected to be released in January, following several delays. The first part, "Post Human: Survival Horror," debuted at the top in the UK, heavily influenced by nu-metal. We can anticipate a similar vibe on the new material, meaning more mosh pits at BMTH's show.
DJ Shadow and Bonobo: Trip-Hop Legacy at Electric Castle 2024
Massive Attack's influence is enormous, both in the UK and across the Atlantic. Two big names that helped popularize trip-hop will also be playing at Electric Castle 10. First, American DJ Shadow, who impressed critics with his debut album. Released in 1996, "Endtroducing..." is a must-study for any music producer. Published on James Lavelle's Mo Wax label, which we've seen at EC both with Unkle and solo, the album scored a perfect 10 from Pitchfork.
The second artist familiar to Romanian audiences is Bonobo, returning to Bonțida with a DJ set and his 2022 Grammy-nominated album "Fragments."
Shaquille O’Neal in Bonțida
Yes, that Shaq, the one and only. Shaquille O’Neal, the legendary basketball player who has dabbled in sports analysis, entrepreneurship, rapping, acting, policing, and wrestling, is heading to Bonțida. At Electric Castle 10, "Big Shaq" will perform as DJ Diesel. After a brief stint in rap during the 90s, Shaq has recently ventured into electronic music, though it's not entirely new to him. He started spinning tracks in the late '80s as a hobby, which gradually turned out to be a masterful skill, also giving Shaq the infamous nickname of The Biggest DJ in The World. His first EDM album, "Gorilla Warfare," released in August 2023, is packed with EDM bangers. Expect a slam dunk performance at Electric Castle.
More Musical Diversity and Inclusivity Electric Castle 2024
Sleaford Mods, actor Robert Downey Jr.'s (Iron Man) favorite band, debuts at Electric Castle with their unique post-punk-spoken word style, lyrics about post-Brexit austerity, and life in the UK over minimalist beats. Fulu Miziki, a band from the Dominican Republic of Congo that uses recycled instruments from European waste in Africa, reminds us to stay eco-friendly with their percussive rhythms.
Like every year, a significant part of the Electric Castle lineup is dedicated to female artists. Nina Kraviz, a name familiar to all techno and house fans, makes her Electric Castle debut after performing at major festivals worldwide. Istanbul's Carlita, known for her eclectic sets, also makes her first appearance at Bonțida.
Hailing from South Africa, Kenya Grace topped the UK singles chart with "Strangers," despite not having released an album yet. Just starting her career, her show is a must-see, with great potential to become a regular chart-topper. Don't miss out! Speaking of eco-friendly, Jayda G, a producer, DJ, and Vancouver University graduate with a thesis on toxicology and environmental protection, comes to Electric Castle after a Grammy nomination and remixes for stars like Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa.
The anniversary will also feature familiar names from the past nine editions, like local bands Subcarpați, Vița de Vie, and Coma, and the much-loved Hospital Records night, featuring Kamo & Crooked, DAXTA, and Unglued.
