Cologne calls for Zivilisation der Liebe

Raves? Check! Rock festivals? Check! Symphony orchestras? Check! Electronic Beats festivals? Check (for sure)! It seems as if there were festivals and weekender for nearly every music there is – but what about techno’s (and electronic music’s, in general) older brother ambient music? The answer to this question is Zivilisation der Liebe.

The ambient festival’s seventh edition will take place in Cologne from January 19th to 22nd, and while their line-up might be described as manageable, we’d argue that it’s hand-picked. On four nights, the people behind the network E’de Cologne will be presenting a bunch of rather exciting ambient based or influenced live artists.

Located in the heart of Cologne near Neumarkt, the Basilica of the Holy Apostles is Zivilisation der Liebe’s homebase during the festival nights. Starting on Thursday, the Romanesque church will see appearances by Kompakt‘s ambient star Markus Güntner and British electro acoustic artist Simon Scott, live stes by Frenchman Sylvain Chauveau and Greg Haines (on laptop and concert grand), Jörg Burger (The Modernist) performing as Triola, as well as a collaboration between Nils Frahm and Peter Broderick. During the closing concert on Sunday, Düsseldorf’s experimental pianist Volker Bertelmann aka Hauschka will be presenting his prepared piano (watch the video below for more insight).

Besides the concerts, Zivilisation der Liebe will be talking ‘transcendency in music’ during a symposium on Friday afternoon. Lined up are John Tilbury and Marcus Schmickler (aka Pluramon), Klaus Fiehe (1Live Radio), Till Kniola (ON – Verein für neue Musik) and other guests. The festival’s party on Saturday should make everybody dance though, booked are Strobocop, The Modernist (live), Hans Nieswandt, and more. Tickets for the festival are still available, make sure to save yours as space inside the church is limited.

Make sure to pay E’de Cologne and Zivilisation der Liebe a visit if you’re in town – you’ll see that there’s much more to ‘ambient’ than a 1996 K&D compilation …

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Published January 17, 2012.