The Swedish label’s RIFT event series is back, featuring the likes of Eurohead, Snow Strippers, Mechatorus and more
Stockholm label YEAR0001 is home to some of the hottest names in the underground – not only are they behind releases from Swedish mainstays Drain Gang and Yung Lean, but they’re across a spawning ecosystem of like minded artists at the forefront of internet-born innovation by the likes of Namasenda, Nation, Stella Explorer, Varg2™ and Viagra Boys. As trusted tastemakers, their annual RIFT compilation spotlights music by alternative club artists across the scene, shining a light on both established names and ones-to-watch – last year’s RIFT Two featured 27 artists including Clip, Evanora Unlimited, Malibu and Yawning Portal – while their annual RIFT flagship event series brings these sounds to IRL focus across major cities.
“As music is becoming a predominantly online/digital experience, RIFT aims to offer a physical platform for people to meet and experience YEAR0001 in reality,” says Emilio Fagone, co-founder and artistic director of YEAR0001. “Growing up, I always appreciated record labels doing club nights and putting together compilations for related and adjacent artists. If like-minded artists and people have a platform to meet, it can fuel unexpected and exciting collaborations that otherwise wouldn't happen. It's also an organic way for the audience/fanbase to find new music.”
Drawing on Fagone’s early experiences as a club promoter in Stockholm, this year’s RIFT series takes place across four cities, beginning with Stockholm and Manchester across two consecutive weeks. “The ambition is to produce the highest level of experience in design and club environments and ensure all the artists get a democratic production design that everyone can use,” explains Fagone. The nights are an extension of Year0001’s sprawling output, featuring left-field and forward-thinking producers, artists, and DJs at the edge of club music. “I want the line-up to reflect the current mood I'm trying to set for myself and the season ahead of us – uplifting and energised,” he adds. “All of the artists' soundscapes and sets resonate with that.”
The label’s homecoming night at Stockholm’s Fållan – a brand new club space in the historic area of Slakthusområdet – saw the city’s underground come out in full transcendent force. Featuring raucous sets by the likes of Eurohead, Snow Strippers, Mechatorus (Mechatok and Torus), crowds raved into the early hours to the soundtrack of starry-eyed dance music and the finest trance revival this side of the Atlantic. “I think Stockholm lacks an alternative club scene, or at least, the existing alternatives don’t take enough space,” says Fagone. “We want to change that with RIFT.” Check out the night in the gallery above – and find out more about RIFT’s upcoming events on their website.