The curtains drew open on a bold new chapter in Blackpool's rich entertainment history as the inaugural Black Lights festival electrified the Lancashire seaside town with its unapologetic blend of experimental music, avant-garde art, and the town's irrepressible charm. This three-day extravaganza, masterminded by the team behind the iconic but now-defunct Salford venue The White Hotel, was an uncompromising celebration of creative freedom that left attendees breathless and begging for more.
The festival's programming was a masterclass in subverting traditional art hierarchies, deftly juxtaposing classical grandeur with underground electronica. Think BBC Philharmonic's majestic rendition of John Adams's 'Harmonielehre' in an opulent Art Deco concert hall followed by Afrodeutsche's pulsating breakbeat techno set in a side room - the result was a truly unique sonic tapestry that blurred boundaries and pushed the envelope.
At its heart, Black Lights was as much about the town as it was about the music. Organisers waxed lyrical about Blackpool's 'faded glamour', incorporating iconic venues like the gilded Blackpool Tower Ballroom (where The Caretaker's ambient dance recordings wafted alongside live ballroom dancers) and the Winter Gardens (home to performances by enigmatic figures like Blackhaine). While some might question the romanticisation of a town grappling with social issues, the festival also took a refreshing approach - free electronic music workshops led by Mark Fell and Rian Treanor offered a genuine connection with the community.
Headliners Mica Levi, known for their innovative compositions, stole the show alongside acts like Moin and Klein. The latter's set was a cacophonous feast of billowing guitar noise that left audiences awestruck. Blackhaine, meanwhile, delivered dramatic rap bursts accompanied by fellow vocalist Sam.Brown in a vaulted space within the Winter Gardens - an old-school streetlight serving as poignant symbol of a lost past.
The festival's bold spirit continued to surprise and delight, upending traditional venues for unconventional performances. Nazar brought kuduro rhythms to the function rooms of the Pleasure Beach, while Red Laser and Bakk Heia spun house music in the Blackpool Catholic Club. Jennifer Walton's electric guitar and vocal performances from the altar of a Spiritualist church added another layer of immersive experience to the festival's eclectic mix.