Kappa Futurfestival 2014

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  • Festival venues don't come much more remarkable than Turin's Parco Dora, a disused warehouse space that's now home to Kappa Futurfestival. And it's not just the setting that's crafted on an impressively large scale—indeed, Kappa Futur's lineup is just as staggering. While it calls on an obvious cast of A-listers, it also attracts well-chosen veterans and canny upstarts. Perhaps as a nod to the festival's Italian roots, Marco Carola kicked off the main stage. Unsurprisingly, the raucous crowd lapped it all up, even though Carola never really deviated from a solid if uninspiring tech house soundtrack. Maceo Plex's set made for a welcome respite, with the US native bringing an elegant blend of melodies and punchy rhythms to the table. Omar-S may have been a surprising choice among the host of bigger names, but the Detroit producer's disregard for convention made him an intriguing addition. Heading up the Dora stage, he weaved through a set that was as intricate as it was raw and edgy, calling on a number of his own vaunted records in the process. Soul Clap's later set was questionably timed, although the boys did put on a fitting show of obscure disco and house cuts. Tony Humphries closing three-hour slot was truly a joy to behold—of everything I saw down Dora way, he was the one that most rivaled the action on the main stage. With Saturday such a full-on affair, one might have hoped for a more chilled-out Sunday. But that's rarely the case when Jackmaster is in charge of the music, and the Numbers man lived up to his reputation with beats that moved between jacking, dubby and completely unexpected, such as a vocal mash-up of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Relax." From there, The Martinez Brothers delivered a back-to-back set with DJ Sneak that reminded us just why they're so loved in these parts. The rain then reared its ugly head, sadly forcing the closure of the Dora, my personal favourite of the stages. Fortunately, Derrick May was on hand to pick up the pieces back at the main stage. His eclectic offerings were perfectly suited to the impressive setting. With a storm by now in full swing, there was a marked change in atmosphere, but Italian duo Tale Of Us used the momentum to whip the crowd into a frenzy—tracks like their own "Primitive People" made for some of the weekend's most fervent moments. Disclosure and Richie Hawtin headlined on Sunday. Both sets impressed in their own manner, but they also felt like business as usual, and I'm yet to be fully converted by a stage show (Hawtin's) that practically encourages those in the crowd to whip out their cameras. Still, there was more than enough going on over the weekend to make this feel like a minor hiccup in a festival filled with good times.
RA