Less than three weeks to go until AVA London returns for 2025, the full three-day and night programme and day splits have landed. Keynote lectures, masterclasses, raves, cutting-edge live shows, and industry connections make up the three days, with leading artists, creators, innovators and industry at the forefront of contemporary culture, arts and music events.

 

Individual day tickets are available for Thursday and Friday of the conference for those wanting to experience one day. AVA’s Day & Night—Access Everything passes also offer an extended and explorative networking experience for professionals and curious minds involved with the industry. The Access Everything ticket will also provide access to a dynamic range of networking events, mixers, and club shows featuring exclusive live performances, debuts, and AV shows.

Final additions to the programme include xxxx – bringing together pioneering voices from across music, culture, art, film and creative industries. From game-changing artists and industry leaders to in-depth discussions on sustainability, health, and global expansion, this year’s lineup is set to inspire, innovate and discuss culture beyond boundaries.

 

THURSDAY CONFERENCE

 

To kick off the proceedings on Thursday with an opening keynote in the British Library’s Pigott Theatre, UK rave tastemakers Underworld set the tone for knowledge, reflection and inspiration – Karl Hyde and Rick Smith have defined the sound and spirit of dance music in the UK. In discussion with Séamas O’Reilly, they will cover “legacy”, their creative process, and the continued inspiration offered by their anthem, Born Slippy, celebrating 30 years this year. As well as this interview, later in the day in the Bronte Room, Underworld’s classic track ‘Two Months Off’ will be deconstructed by Ski Oakenfull. Head of Education and Curriculum at Point Blank Music School.

 

Following on from the opening keynote Annie Mac and international DJ Jayda G will be in conversation discussing their journeys to date in music as well as the landscape for women in the industry. Activist and model Munroe Bergdorf will join the proceedings, hosting a popular session returning for this year’s program titled ‘Requeering Dancefloors’ centred around nightlife and queer culture. Bergdorf is an activist and global voice for under-represented communities, fighting for trans rights, safer spaces, equality and justice. Joining her we have Jaguar, I. JORDAN, pop operatic singer and songwriter Tom Rasmussen Head of Music & Entertainment at Satellite 414, Tom Mehrtens. The individuals will dissect the current state of queer clubbing in the UK afar and the impact it has had in recent years on popular culture. Munroe Bergdorf will also feature with Tom Schroeder, Maria May and Mark Gordon discussing pioneers and Game Changers in the arts, music and culture scene.

 

A stone’s throw away from the library, London staple station Rinse FM will be broadcasting live from The Standard. Key contributors to this year’s programme, Rinse founder Geeneus will be heading a talk on sustainable culture outlining the future of clubbing and music. Another special segment for day one: Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker will take to the stage to deliver a climate-themed lecture titled “Biophobia” in association with EarthPercent.

 

To round off day one of the conference, MUBI will be hosting a panel at The British Library featuring a lineup of experts touching on film, sound and production. Hosted by Tarsza, they are joined by the likes of the award-winning composer of ‘The Substance’ Raffertie and ‘Aftersun’ music supervisor Lucy Bright. The talk will be followed by a screening of ‘In Camera’ directed by Naqqash Khalid who will also be a part of the panel.

 

FRIDAY CONFERENCE

 

Keeping the momentum for Day 2 on Friday, amidst the global sensation of her Eusexua album campaign, FKA twigs will open the conference for a special live edition of the Resident Advisor Exchange podcast in the Pigott Theatre hosted by Nadine Noor (Pxssy Palace) to discuss her career, creative process, and inspirations, offering a perspective from one of the most compelling artists of our time.

Also waving the flag for the queer community horsegiirL reflects on her journey from being “just a foal from the farm” to making waves as one of the most in-demand names in electronic music. Joined and hosted by Megan Wallace from Gay Times for an intimate keynote + Q&A as she shares the story behind her sound, creative process, and what it means to have the “relentless support” of her community.

 

TikTok’s Toyin Mustapha will present a keynote conversation with Major League DJz, experience ticketing platform Easol, who will present an industry-focussed keynote panel titled: “How to Design World Class Experiences” – Amid a challenging climate for Experience Creators everywhere, this panel asks how we can create a more positive future. What does the perfect festival look like? Where does it happen? Who is the audience – how do we attract them? Who’s playing? Key figures from the industry, including Festival Creators and Artists lay out where we should go and how to get there.

 

In another session for budding artists and artist managers, Ned Beckett, founder of LittleBig Agency, shares his expertise on successful Talent Discovery and Artist Development with Georgia Taglietti (IGNAC / AFEM / Laurent Garnier). Representing groundbreaking acts such as Aphex Twin, Ryoji Ikeda, Holly Herndon & Lorenzo Senni, – Beckett has built careers that shape electronic music. Ned will discuss discovering talent, taking artists to the next level, and sustaining long-term success in an evolving industry.

 

Building on the programme further, heavyweight electronic musician Paul Woolford AKA Special Request features as the guest speaker on ‘No Tags podcast. Chal Ravens & Tom Lea, the mastermind journalists behind ‘No Tags’ podcast, will sit down with Woolford for an unfiltered conversation on underground music and pop culture. This session at AVA London is not to be missed.

 

Italian producer Lorenzo Senni will join the programme to present a new version of his production and process-focused masterclass, “The Architecture of Intensity”. The Warp Records-affiliated artist is well-known for deconstructing the epic build-ups and ecstatic synthesiser arpeggios of ’90s trance and hard techno along with the Hardcore Punk influences that often feature in his work  Lorenzo uses repetition and isolation as key tactics in his production.

Contributing to the club and conference programme, techno pioneer Marcel Dettmann sits down with emerging DJ and pannelist Vanessa Maria for a keynote interview around his new live project “My Own Shadow”.

Dan Lambert, manager to the Belfast trio Kneecap & Rich Peppiatt director of the film Kneecap will sit down with Eric Davidson from The Tenth Man uncut discussion on ‘Managing Mayhem & Breaking the Fourth Wall’ as well as how these fundamentals have cemented the iconic group’s mercurial career across music, film & pop-culture.

Concluding the final day of the conference, AVA producers themselves UP PRODUCTIONS! Founded by Sarah McBriar will host a talk into the power of collaboration with Yinka Illori and Mazdak Sanii. Brainstorming the power of collaboration where art goes above and beyond boundaries relating back to their own experiences in the industry.

NIGHT TIME PROGRAMME

AVA London will feature a solid night programme, with a focus on live acts, DJs and AV explorations, these events will show why AVA is a leading tastemaker in the electronic music world.

 

Thursday 20.03- Erika de Casier, Kojaque, Mechatok Live – Earth Hackney

Thursday kicks off in Hackney at Earth with quality live acts and DJs – including Danish singer and producer Erika de Casier. Known for her delicate vocals and charming productions, De Casier’s performances are intimate yet powerful. London-based Irish rapper Kojaque will also join the bill for a typically theatrical and charismatic show; Mechatok will also perform a new live.

 

Friday 21.03 – Ryoji Ikeda Live, Marcel Dettmann Live, EMA – Outernet / HERE

AVA’s second night heads to Outernet will be a night of experimental soundscapes and techno power. Ryoji Ikeda, a master of minimalist sound design, will explore the boundaries of sound and perception. Marcel Dettmann, one of techno’s most influential figures, will bring his signature dark and intense beats to the floor. He will make the UK debut of his new My Own Shadow Live; Dettmann is undoubtedly the don when it comes to techno. The night will also feature talent on the rise – EMA.

 

Saturday 22.03 – X CLUB., LSDXOXO, Juicy Romance + Marion Hawkes – The Cause

For the final night, The Cause hosts another night of boundary-defying electronic music. AVA is excited to host LSDXOXO brings hyper-pop, club, and experimental electronics, while London-based Australian duo X CLUB. present their blend of 90s techno influences with forward-facing contemporary club sounds, with support from the powerhouse Juicy Romance, and Northern Irish act Marion Hawkes also joins the bill.

AVA aims to inspire, educate, and shape the future of culture – in the biggest city in the world for creativity.

DAY TIME PROGRAMME

 

FKA twigs – RA Exchange Live – Keynote Interview with Nadine Noor
Underworld – Keynote Interview with Séamas O’Reilly
Jarvis Cocker – Presents ‘Biophobia’ in association with EarthPercent
Annie Mac & Jayda G – In Conversation

Music’s Leading Role in Film with Raffertie (composer, The Substance), Lucy Bright (music supervisor, Aftersun) and Naqqash Khalid (director, In Camera) hosted by Tarsza – MUBI Presents (talk + screening)
Marcell Dettmann – “My Own Shadow” Interview + Q&A with Vanessa Maria
“How to Design World Class Experiences” – Easol Presents
horsegiirL – Interview + Q&A hosted by Megan Wallace – Gay Times
Nonotak Visual Arts Masterclass
No Tags podcast Live with Paul Woolford

Lorenzo Senni – ‘The Architecture of Intensity’ Masterclass

Tom Elmhirst – Mixing Masterclass

Demystifying Music Publishing Music Presents

The Game Changers: Munroe Bergdorf, Tom Schroder (Team Wass) & more TBA
Art Beyond Boundaries: the Power of Collaboration’ hosted by Sarah McBriar (AVA Festival)
Curating Contemporary Culture: Bengi Unsal (ICA London), Eva Jáger (Serpentine), Luke Kemp (Barbican) Trippin Presents

Re-queering Dancefloors: Munroe Bergdorf, Jaguar, I.JORDAN, Tom Rasmussen, Tom Mehrtens

Talent Discovery & Artist Development with Ned Beckett (LittleBig) & Georgia Taglietti
The Kneecap Story: Managing Mayhem & Breaking the Fourth Wall with Dan Lambert
Beating Burnout: Health & Resilience in Electronic Music – AFEM Presents
Going Global – How to take your music brand international – AFEM Presents

“From The First Beat To The Big Hit” – Presented by b:electronic Presents
Sustaining Culture: The Future of Music & Clubbing – Rinse FM Presents
Spitfire Audio Workshop

The Art Of Brand Partnerships