On 8th November 2024 Pitchfork London Festival showcased an incredible lineup with Sega Bodega and Alice Glass, supported by Doss and Rose Gray at Here at Outernet, celebrating innovation and the boundless artistry of electronic elements across music genres. The cutting edge, futuristic space provided incredibly clear and smooth sound and an overall luxurious ambiance aided by precise, high-definition visuals and lighting, complementing the etherealism of Sega Bodega’s otherworldly show as lights and bass pulsated harmoniously and Alice Glass’s tangibly emotive performance.
Opening with an electro club-pop sound, very much the genre du jour as more electronic sub genres of pop continue to gain mainstream popularity from Charli XCX’s Brat success, was local London talent Rose Gray, with powerful vocals and relatable lyrics including her amusing song ‘Hackney Wick’. Gray has been forecasted by Vogue to be ‘the next big British Pop Star’ and the crafted balance of infectious bass with indie vocals was hitting a sweet spot to prime the crowd for Doss at Outernet. The New York songwriter and producer Doss continued to transcend genre, bringing the energy into a more rave-influenced electronic space with her bouncy, dynamic DJ set, in which influence from artists such as SOPHIE could be felt.
Alice Glass emerged full of praise for the opening acts with an intense energy and spark burning in the Canadian singer-songwriter’s fiery performance and throughout the crowd of her devoted fans. Most notable was her magnetic and engaging stage presence; Glass’s movements and vocals were bursting with emotion, including an infectious rage driven by her experiences overcoming abuse from her former Crystal Castles bandmate, Ethan Kath, which she vulnerably spoke about between songs. In addition to performing hits such as BABY TEETH from her PREY//IV solo album, the audience was treated to Crystal Castles original ‘Alice Practice’ because as Alice Glass declared – “I fucking wrote it”. For Crystal Castles fans, who have now overwhelmingly transferred their support to Alice Glass as a solo artist, considering the nature of the duo’s split, this was a poignant moment, with the likelihood Crystal Castles material may never have been performed live again. The euphoria of this performance was only enhanced by the nostalgia of being transported to the track’s original appearance in an early episode of the TV show Skins, feeling a youth culture hedonism encapsulated in the raw, messy electronic sound overlaid with Glass’s uniquely sweet vocals.
The incredibly multifaceted Irish-Chilean talent Sega Bodega surpassed expectations with his unearthly, innovative, genre-defying performance. Bathed in rays of gold and blue amongst billowing furls of smoke, Bodega’s ethereal presence felt celestial and angelic, with dreamy riffs and atmospheric sonic layers. A surprise appearance from Dorian Electra had the audience singing along to their collaborative cover of ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ and was followed with even more excitement as the sensational ShyGirl also stepped out to perform alongside Sega Bodega later on. Sega Bodega’s leftfield sound is popular amongst the esoteric bubble of Bjork, Eartheater and FKA Twigs fans, all of whom Bodega has collaborated with as a producer. With both an energetic and introspective approach, Bodega is currently creating waves across film, fashion and art as well as the music scene with his multidisciplinary approach to creating, solidifying his presence as a creative visionary to watch. As the night drew to a climax, Bodega’s performance culminated with a previously unheard extended Kepko remix, with powerful electronic glitches reverberating through the state-of-the-art venue, it was a truly transcendent experience, full of surprises.
The night was a celebration of creativity and genre-surpassing artistry with Rose Gray’s infectious tracks, Doss’s unifying beats, Alice Glass’s emotionally charged set and Sega Bodega’s otherworldly finale. Pitchfork showcased an incredible futuristic approach to electronic music beyond genre.
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Words & Photographer: Katie McGoran