Threshold Festival 2017: Director's Picks

Image: Threshold Festival

The seventh edition of Threshold Festival comes to Liverpool's industrial Baltic Triangle between Friday 31st - Sunday 2nd April, celebrating grassroots music and a blossoming arts scene in the city.

With a diverse wealth of talents on the Threshold line up for 2017, the weekender is once again set to bring fans and artists from around the globe, to an area of Liverpool that is growing endlessly and is now a booming area of creativity and life. 

We caught up with some of the festival's organisers, to get their top picks of the acts set to hit numerous stages across the weekend. 

Andy Minnis - Operations Director & Visual Arts Co-Curator

SPQR

So many new bands we've not seen before on this year's line-up and these guys have certainly peaked my interest. Post Punk alt-Rockers SPQR will be on the ever reliable Yeah Buddy! stage in Unit 51 on the opening night. 

Trial or Error - 'Failed to Prepare' (Performance)

Our rogue performance art wing of the festival, where you're never quite sure what you're going to be witnessing and this is going to be one such treat, popping up in Solstice at Northern Lights throughout the day on Saturday. Our entire performance line-up is very strong this year, we're not just about music!

Mamatung

A really great mix of influences, this band have been around for a few years but there's still nobody really doing what they're doing.

Verisimilitude (Virtual Reality Installation)

Of course as co-curator of our exhibition, I have to include some of the programme that myself and Jazamin Sinclair put together each year. This installation is a collaboration between a Mexican and a British artist and we're excited to bring it to Liverpool. Don't forget to to check out our diverse exhibition.

Hey Colossus

One of our first bookings of the festival and the excitement has been growing ever since at seeing these guys take to the stage. A definite 2017 highlight awaits. 

Kaya Herstad Carney - Artistic Director 

Chinchilla 

My very recent discovery, and what a discovery she is. This girl is going to be huge.

Emilio Pinchi 

One of our very own Threshold team, who I’ve know since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. He’s still not THAT tall, but his talent and his heart are enormous. 

Emergency Tiara

One of our few international touring acts, this band is a soul mate of my own Science of the Lamps.

Hollows

I have to choose one of the acts from our newest of new music venues Red Brick Vintage. Vintage clothes and music. Heaven. 

Hannah Peel

A fellow LIPA graduate, it’s been incredible to see Hannah’s much-deserved success. Welcoming her back to Liverpool for this show is going to be lovely. A must see. 

Emilia Eriksson - Development Director 

Disastronauts & Queen Zee and the Sasstones 

Disastraunots and Queen Zee and the Sasstones both get my vote for the ones to watch and I’m sure that both sets will offer something fresh and sassy.

The Science of the Lamps

As a card carrying, long-standing fan of The Science of the Lamps I would not miss their appearance for the world.  Their songs make me smile and cry (in a good way) in equal measure. Any band that writes songs about super heroes, ducks and feminism gets my vote!

Marsicans

Look set to be a surprise hit for the festival, having been lighting up stages in the U.K. for a while now, I really can’t wait to see what they bring to the show. 

Lack Of Afro DJ

One of our big hitters, this is going to finish off our opening night in style, while we still have legs to dance, it may as well be to one of the most exciting producers in the country. 

Chris Herstad Carney - Festival Producer

Loka

So glad to have Emotion Wave represent as a promoter this year. Neil has been doing great things for the downtempo/IDM scene in Liverpool and Loka are an absolute coup for us. Check the credentials on these guys. Seriously. Ninja Tunes.

Impropriety 

I’m a theatre boy at heart and my involvement with these incredibly talented performers goes deeper than having them on the festival. If these guys can’t make you laugh, you are dead inside. 

Nils Bech 

A surprise discovery for Kaya and I last year in Oslo and we just had to bring him over. A recent signing to DFA Records, he is certainly going places, but he’s going there in a very odd fashion and we love that.

The Fire Beneath the Sea 

So excited to welcome these Threshold veterans back to the festival. Every time we have had them on the stage they’ve absolutely torn the place apart. I will be front and centre for this. 

Indigo Moon 

Rock music for me needs to rock out in a certain way or I’ll just not be in the least bit interested. These guys rock out just right. Can’t wait to see them again. 

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