House and Techno Highlights - June, 2008

Håkan Lidbo's 60.01.60, released this month by Container Records is a true masterpiece; an hour long composition of glitch, minimal click and noisecore. Dismantling structure and fracturing sounds, this high concept piece is accompanied by a film/ visuals from Anders Weberg, and preludes the ambitious 24 hour piece that should see the light of day in 2010. For more abstract and offbeat fun, check out the first NO RAVE spin-off project, a split 12" from Eyes and Tayside Mental Health, which launches at The Ivy on the 26 June (8-12, £5) with live performances from both acts. Tayside Mental Health's thrashing digital lunacy is a beautifully cathartic experience, whilst Eyes add subtle elements of funk and hip-hop to a cacophonous, freewheeling sound. On a slightly smoother note, Trouble celebrate six years of bringing house and soul to the masses with a special birthday party on the 6 June (11pm - 3am, £6/5, Cabaret Voltaire). They've brought everyone from Mr. Scruff to the Quantic Soul Orchestra, to Ame across to Edinburgh, but it's the resident talent that keeps them going strong. And for forward-thinking dub reggae, keep an eye out for Disrupt at Optimo sometime in June. Foundation Bit was a spectacular blend of the retro and the futuristic, of 8-bit, sleng ting and modern two-step, and should be spectacular live. [Liam Arnold]