Die Kur
"Renaissance refers to a period in European civilization that was marked by a revival of Classical learning and wisdom."
So there go.
Renaissance Alternative Music Festival refers to a period in creativity that is marked by a revival of alternative art and music.
 Ays Kura | A 'Renaissance man' is an artist, a scientist and a philosopher, who brings together all areas of knowledge, humanity and creativity together in one enlightened experience. And musician and promoter Ays Kura is that man. Ays embodies this ideal, not just because he's as Italian as Leonardo and Galileo, but because of his passion, dedication and life mission to support both the visual and musical arts. |
The Renaissance Alternative Music Festival is celebrating its tenth anniversary. From 12 noon until 2 am there is live music by fantastic acts and great bands. Accompanying the DJs until 5.30 am is a UV light extravaganza of decorative wall hangings and a glorious cathedral ceiling created from recycled materials by Anni Murtosaari Art, turning Electrowerkz into a day-glow Sistine Chapel. We also have the Art Model Collective, a model-run group organising performative life drawing sessions who have taken their artwork all over the country. Fill & Void, presents modern art cityscape compositions using their unique technique, involving screen cuts that have taken years of perfecting.
 Anni Murtosaari Art |  Anni Murtosaari Art |
The bands, let me tell you about the bands… The lineup is not unfamiliar with some great bands returning to the festival, ah, but there are also 17 new bands this year!
So let's talk to my 'Renaissance man' and delve deep into his passions with some Q & A.
Starting with the standard question, how did Renaissance Alternative Music Festival come into being?
Ays: It all started when Reskizio from Spain wanted to play a gig with my band Die Kur in London. It was 2011, and I always wanted to make something special and unique, not only for the bands but for the whole alternative community. I wanted to create a revolution in Art and Music. A renewal of interest in those, here's the Renaissance bit, who are often set aside by modern society. So Renaissance was born.
 Red Method |  Maxdmyz |
When did you realise that you had something special on your hands that could be an annual event?
Ays: I realised straight away, as the first edition was held at Sound, Leicester Square, it was an immense success. I met so many great bands and artists. I'd never thought of myself as a promoter back then, I just really wanted to do something which would unite and give them the recognition they deserve.
Renaissance Alternative Music Festival was not created as a "for-profit festival", so how do you fund such a massive operation?
Ays: I work very hard all year round to make it possible. I dedicate myself to this; I truly believe in the acts part of it, and it's the only reason why this keeps happening. It's not easy to make such an effort, but after all, it is amazing to see great things developing from it.
The Medea Project
How do you pick your acts, DJs, bands?
Ays: I met most of the acts either by playing with them, producing them, or just being in the crowd at gigs. I've always been fascinated by the amount of talent around, and I'm even more surprised by how this is often overlooked by the mainstream. Each act is unique and truly deserves to be on our stage. Genre is not a defining factor, but stage presence, songs and vibe all are. Also, it's very important how easy it is to work with them. For DJs, I chose them by how good they are at entertaining a crowd. For artists, I tend to choose those who capture my imagination. I receive many proposals too, from all fronts, but I already have in mind who would be in the next editions, albeit I always try to keep everyone in consideration.
Killerkorp
Esoterica
I was amazed by how instinctively you moved the Renaissance Alternative Music Festival online last year, during Covid, just to keep it going. What was the hardest part of converting the festival into a visual operation on the screen?
Ays: It was very hard work, more than the live event. Editing all interviews, assembling the videos, and generally making it flow, it was a very big task. The 16 hours long stream was a remarkable effort and I was amazed by the response. I felt all our community was torn apart by all the recent happenings, and I wanted to do something to remind everyone of the great scene we have, so we look forward to better things.
I know which of these bands playing is my favourite, cough-cough, 'something Age', and I know you won't say which are your favourites...
Concrete Age
but can you tell me just one band or act to watch out for, simply based on their style?
everyone has a special place in my heart
- Ays
Ays: Every single act chosen is my favourite. These are some of my favourite bands I've had the honour and pleasure to meet, and I feel so humbled they want to play at this event. You can think of it as a rave of live music and art, where everyone has a special place in my heart. You really want to see all of them from the beginning, and this is the reason there isn't overlapping in the lineup.
 PollyPikPocketz  Lilac Underworld |  Flesh Tetris  Ray Noir |
I remember, when I was lighting for you at the 2019 Renaissance festival, we had 24 bands in 12 hours. That nearly wiped me out.
So how do you organise nearly 40 bands, acts and DJs, and still have enough energy to sing with your own band at the end of it all?
Ays: I just focus my energy on what is important to me and the people around me. That is what gives me energy, not only on Renaissance day but every day. Ah, also absinthe and or whiskey helps.
The Renaissance Alternative Music Festival is an eclectic collection presented as a gift to the alternative scene. This ensemble of high-performance music, visual art, and love is a unique experience. Ays is modest in the same way Mak, the founder of Electrowerkz, was, and he puts equal care and effort into helping every act give the best performance they can.
I usually show every promoter the full transcript of what I write at this point, but I won't show Ays my conclusion because he'll ask me to delete it on the grounds that he doesn't like personal praise. Ays doesn't understand concepts like favouritism and he doesn't transmit ego. And that, for me, is why the Renaissance Music Festival is so amazing.
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