When Aspire Higher and The Rust Music get together to throw an event, you know the lineup is going to be stacked and delicious. This 4/20, Philly is in for just such a treat. The minds behind Submersion Festival have put together a show at Warehouse on Watts this Saturday featuring heavy hitters Kursa, Duffrey, and Smigonaut with Face Plant’s Sky.Lab sub-project and Chez, all on the inimitable Funktion-One sound.
The Loft at Warehouse on Watts is always a proper party with art vendors, light shows, flow space, and room to mingle and dance. Opting for a more glitch-soaked and bass-booming vibe than last year’s 4/20 event, the lofi extravaganza dubbed “Psychedeli,” this year’s celebration is set to be a rambunctious night of crunchy uptempo and funky neuro bangers with extended sets from both Duffrey and Kursa. And it’s not just the lineup that has us drooling; it’s 4/20, so expect a number of scrumptious food options to satisfy those growing munchies through the night.
Read on to find the nitty gritty below.
Come Early, Stay Late
Opening the night we have Philly producer Face Plant’s side project, Sky.Lab. Debuted at last year’s Submersion, the idea for this project was born during the pandemic and reflects the tranquil qualities one finds in a return to nature, acts like stargazing, hiking, and swimming, where many of us found solace during the heart of quarantine.
This shift from half-time heaters and glitch-hop showcases a new side of Face Plant’s creative craftsmanship. This will be the perfect set to gather our pieces before launching into the ragers billed for the rest of the night.
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Chez Picks Up The Pace
Next up we have Chez, stopping in between shows on his 3 of a Kind Tour with Crawdad Sniper and Charles Nimbus–three names rapidly on the rise. While still in college, Chez released his first mix to instant acclaim and was soon found on bills with acts like Mickman and Spoonbill.
Last year also saw another fresh mix followed by the release of his debut boom bap bass EP, Mr. Nibbles. Come early to catch this one. We can only imagine what delicacies this chunky cheesemonger has in store for us next. Read more about Chez on our 2024 Artist Radar.
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Smigonautic Smoke
With a seamless EP of liquid DnB and headlining shows at The Black Box and Summit Music Hall ahead of May’s Rendezvous slot, neuro maestro and Berklee College of Music alumni Smigonaut is already kicking off 2024 with a strong start.
Revered for his wide-ranging experimentalism and masterful technical production in a bewildering bevy of styles, you never know what to expect at his live performances, but the effect is always sure to make your jaw drop, your eyes bulge, or your body move enthralled.
Duffrey Delights
Duffrey is another diverse artist from whom we’ve experienced firework after firework these past years, and we’re happy to say he doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Sometimes playful, sometimes diabolical, Duffrey is a funhouse artisan behind the decks who seems to grab inspiration from everything he hears, weaving it all into a unique style of gripping dance-floor bass.
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Last year saw the release of Legend of the Alley Cat, a subsequent national tour, and performances at the likes of Envision and Red Rocks. With the exciting announcement of his soon-to-be fatherhood, the release of “Froth,” and a list of shows to come, this year already looks full of fresh acts of creation.
If you missed his legendary night at Cervantes this past February, you can stream it now on River Beats TV. We can’t wait to hear Duffrey put those Funktion-Ones to work at WoW with a 75-minute set.
Kursaaaaa
Headlining this event is Bristol banger enthusiast Kursa, a household name for bass lovers around the world, renowned by producers and fans with equal intensity when it comes to molding an extensive range of genres old and new into his unmistakably fresh sound. With a constant string of shows, one has to wonder where this mad scientist finds the time to produce the menagerie of music he releases each year.
In 2023, the world was gifted with the album NOTHING GOOD WILL COME OF THIS, Kursa’s first full-length album since 2020, but subscribers to his Bandcamp page “Kurs’d Earth” know the full extent of how busy this Brit really is, with new music gracing their ears on a regular basis.
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With the dissolution of Slug Wife and his departure from K.L.O., Kursa has been focusing more on solo work, tinkering with modular synths, drum machines, analog mixers, and all sorts of technical hardware, as displayed at his sold-out live hardware set at The Black Box last month. He is also involved in a few collaborations, notably producing as one half of the duo S.Murk, and he just announced a vinyl with Ben Pest due for release from Love Love Records in May. As usual, Kursa is on fire and he is sure to blaze this night down with his own 75-minute livewire of unapologetic bass.
Munchies and More
Make sure to stop by the vendor booths at the back of The Loft, where you’ll find custom laser-cut artwork made by Lazerdood and intricate wire wrappings from skilled jeweler Lady Manipura. Sunya Glass will also be there, providing all your heady glass needs for the smoker’s holiday, with one-of-a-kind pendants, cups, and more, handcrafted by Kevin Licciardi and Weston Bishop.
And if you get the munchies or fire up your appetite on the dance floor, don’t fret; you can fill your belly with pizza at the door or devour the delights of a specially crafted 4/20 snack bar. In addition, 215 Tacos will be dishing out their own specials in The Loft all night long. Trust me, with extended sets from both Duffrey and Kursa, you’re going to need to gather all the energy you can get for this one.
Needless to say, if you’re anywhere near Philly, this is a 4/20 celebration you do not want to miss. Find tickets here, make sure to get their by doors (8:00 PM – music starts 8:30), and keep your eyes peeled at the show for a Submersion easter egg scattered around the venue! Who knows what you might discover ahead of the game?
As always, Aspire Higher and The Rust have plenty of surprises in the works, and you’re going to want to be a part of them all. Follow both at the links below to stay up to date with all they have in store.
Follow Aspire Higher:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | SoundCloud
Follow The Rust Music:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | SoundCloud
Follow Kursa:
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | SoundCloud