Yesterday, pioneering music festival and conference AVA hosted a forward thinking programme of talks, workshops and lectures at London’s most exciting venue.

AVA is establishing a new standard of conferencing, creating an engaging event that highlights culture and topics at the forefront of the industry, whilst programming one of the most notable line-ups in the London and Printworks spring season.

The full day and night programme of events offered an insight into the music and arts industry from artists, agents, labels and innovators. Bicep, Octave One, Abbey Road Studios, London’s Night Czar Amy Lamé, Resident Advisor, Ninja Tune, Artwork formed the line up of panels, workshops and keynotes alongside some of the industries most notable names and brands.

Key Moments.
With the night time economy climate London changing dramatically, the Night Czar addressed a number of recent issues that had been faced since her appointment, becoming more transparent in her role.

The economy in London is growing faster at night than it is in the day.  160,000 people are working in night time hospitality in London; from bartenders, club venues owners, promoters, caterers – she explained it is within her role to protect the night time economy from all angles. She deals with over 200 venues in London behind the scenes that is not vocalised in the public eye, be this from advising and supporting in issues they are facing.

Hackney’s late license was revoked last year, and in this time has seen the closure of late night venues. The Night Czar addressed that licensing laws come from the central government, are bypassed by the City Hall and governed locally. She explained there are many reasons as to why venues in London close and this doesn’t revolve solely around licensing, but rent prices, decline alcohol sales at late night events and shifts in night time activity culturally – there is no one size that fits all reason.

Looking forward, it is an exciting time for nightlife in the capital, new LGBTQ+ venues are opening, the Women’s Night Yearly Summit has launched, the 696 risk assessment form has been scrapped, and the Night Czar is concentrating efforts on making nightlife safer for women.

Elsewhere, AVA played host to a number of lectures, talks and live demo’s, a line up of panels, workshops and keynotes alongside some of the industries most notable names and brands such as Bicep, Octave One and Mr G alongside Abbey Road, Netflix, Adidas, Smirnoff, BBC and more.

Later in the evening, AVA turned the press halls into an sold out club how a with the Irish contingent out in full force Or:la, Sally C, Brame and Hamo, Swoose & Cromby, R Kitt and Mount Palomar were all flying the flag proud. Raising the bar in club experiences, AVA pushed the boundaries in all aspects of production, from  the mind blowing light show and entrancing with visuals to match creating an euphoric atmosphere all night long.

AVA also invited long term festival friend Mall Grab, house DJ Hunee who took ravers on a much heavier journey and pillar to the UK’s underground electronic community Joy Orbison. Elsewhere, Amsterdam’s De School resident Job Jobse headed back to AVA alongside and staple in the Amsterdam music scene San Proper to join the Friday night festivities.

AVA will host the yearly Belfast festival and conference on 31st May – 1st June with another progressive line up to take note of with Motor City Drum Ensemble, Ben UFO, The Black Madonna, Avalon Emerson, Len Faki, Call Super and Daniel Avery and more.

Tickets. 
Tickets available online here

About AVA.
Founded 5 years ago in Belfast, AVA aims to celebrate, amplify and develop the strong  of electronic music and digital visual arts through music events and conferences. AVA has been committed to supporting the most exciting emerging & established electronic arts since its inception and has since become an incubator for local talent across the North and the South of the country, fostering local scenes and providing emerging DJ’s a platform.

H/T B.K.