News

Techno master Juan Atkins bound for Belfast

Detroit producer and DJ who pioneered the futurist electro music genre in the mid-1980s is travelling to Belfast to share his experiences with aspiring musicians. Picture by Jeff Robinson/PA
Detroit producer and DJ who pioneered the futurist electro music genre in the mid-1980s is travelling to Belfast to share his experiences with aspiring musicians. Picture by Jeff Robinson/PA Detroit producer and DJ who pioneered the futurist electro music genre in the mid-1980s is travelling to Belfast to share his experiences with aspiring musicians. Picture by Jeff Robinson/PA

A US producer and DJ widely credited as the creator of techno music is travelling to Belfast to share his experiences with aspiring musicians.

Juan Atkins from Detroit, Michigan, pioneered the futurist electro music genre in the mid-1980s.

The techno godfather, who established his own Metroplex label, is addressing the AVA music festival in the Titanic Quarter in June. He will also take part in a question-and-answer session with fans.

The AVA event is an electronic music and digital visual arts festival designed to celebrate and nurture new talent across Ireland.

Festival founder Sarah McBriar, from Up Productions, said Atkins' appearance would provide a context to the "sound we know and love today".

"We are really pleased to announce Juan Atkins, the originator of Techno, Detroit legend and founder of Metroplex records, as the lead keynote for the AVA conference," she said.

The festival is being put on in partnership with Generator NI, the Stormont-funded music industry development programme.

A free day-long conference is being staged on June 4 ahead of an evening of performances.

Other well-known figures within the industry, such as Dave Haslam and Belfast DJs Bicep, are also taking part.

For more information visit www.avafestival.com/conference.