Day for Night (festival)

Day for Night was an art and music festival in Houston, Texas that "explores the deep connections between light, technology, sound and space".[1] Producer Omar Afra co-conceived the idea of a festival experience that would reintroduce visual art back into the musical experience on a large scale when Kiffer Keegan pitched the idea of including new media installations during preparations for Free Press Summer Festival 2014.[2]

Day for Night
StatusNot Active
GenreMulti-Genre
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)Houston, Texas
CountryUnited States
Years active2015–2017
InauguratedDecember 19, 2015 (2015-12-19)
FounderFree Press Houston, Work-Order
Most recentDecember 17, 2017 (2017-12-17)
Attendance20,000+
People
  • Associate Producer:
Marcus Gurske
  • Creative Directors:
Kiffer Keegan
Keira Alexandra
  • Curator: Alex Czetwertynski
  • General Manager:
Marini van Smirren

Conception

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Omar Afra and Work-Order partners Kiffer Keegan and Keira Alexandra conceptualized the idea for the unique event while working together on Free Press Summer Fest 2014. Their ideas for incorporating visual art with music didn't fit into the model of their already-existing annual music festival, Free Press Summer Fest. Borrowing from their past experience, they began work on Day for Night in the summer of 2015 and chose Alex Czetwertynski to be the [Visual Arts] Curator.[2]

Production

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Day for Night showcased musicians and visual artists. The production layout varied each year depending on the venue. On average, there were 3-4 stages with musicians performing in tandem, and visual art displays throughout the venue. The lineup for musicians featured artists with a heavy emphasis on stage presence and performance regardless of notoriety or genre.[2]

2015

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The festival took place in the six block area surrounding Silver Street Studios on December 19 through December 20, 2015.[3] The event featured three stages for musical acts; the red stage featured the big-name acts, the green stage was for electronic or atmospheric acts, and the blue stage for the local or obscure acts. The art installations were set up in between the stages and throughout the venue. [Consequence of Sound][4]

Music lineup

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Kendrick Lamar New Order Philip Glass Ensemble Dillon Francis Janelle Monáe Flying Lotus
Elliphant Battles (band) Madeon CocoRosie Psychic TV Death Grips Jerk
Bart Black Prismo Nicolas Jaar Dan Deacon Mystikal Com Truise
Cazwell Amanda Lepore Holly Herndon Julien Bayle Indian Jewelry DJ FREDSTER
U.S. Girls Jonte' Moaning Prince Rama Deru Matt Thibideau Roman GianArthur
Richard Ramirez Christine Renee Future Blondes BOAN Millennial Grave Wrestlers
Children of Pop B L A C K I E Hearts of Animals Josiah Gabriel FLCON FCKER Light Wheel The Vanity

Digital artists

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Casey Reas Zach Lieberman Refik Anadol Markus Heckmann Kamil Nawratil Gabriel Pulecio
Vincent Howze w/AV&C MASOMENOS Mark Eats Nototak Studio Alex Czetwertynski Night Moves
Work-Order NEIL EBBFLO

2016

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The festival took place at the Barbara Jordan Post office in downtown Houston on December 18–19.[5]

Music lineup

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Aphex Twin ODESZA Travis Scott Kaskade Bjork Run The Jewels
RZA Stone Mecca Rider Nick Murphy (Chet Faker) Butthole Surfers Blood Orange Little Dragon Banks
The Jesus and Mary Chain Squarepusher Blonde Redhead Thundercat Kamasi Washington Unknown Mortal Orchestra
John Carpenter Washed Out Ariel Pink Lightning Bolt Arca Dj Windows 98
Oneohtrix Point Never Liars Lower Dens S U R V I V E Matmos Clams Casino
Mykki Blanco Marcel Khalife Chelsea Wolfe Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats Welcome to Houston SG Lewis
SOPHIE Tobacco Nothing Soulection Mary Lattimore and Jeff Zeigler Fat Tony
Jock Club Wild Moccasins Buoyant Spirit Vacation Eyes Limb Hevin
-Us. Jerk MNYNMS Maramuresh Pfaff Splendid Emblem Tycho
Kult Dizney DIVISION Night Drive Josh Dupont From Beyond Futurelix Daed
Light Wheel Anklepants Kam Franklin Spit Mask Daughters Tee Vee Herman Kolgen

Digital artists

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United Visual Artists (UVA) Bjork Digital Golan Levin NONOTAK Shoplifter Tundra
Robert Seidel Damien Echols AV&C + Houzé Michael Fullman Ezra Miller Jesse Kanda
Alex Czetwertynsk Herman Kolgen

2017

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The festival took place at the Barbara Jordan Post office in downtown Houston on December 15–17.[6]

Music lineup

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Nine Inch Nails Thom Yorke Solange Justice St. Vincent Tyler, The Creator
Kaytranada Earl Sweatshirt James Blake Pretty Lights Jamie XX Phantogram
Saint Heron Jenny Hval Boots Pussy Riot The Jesus Lizard Nina Kraviz
Godspeed You! Black Emperor REZZ Laurie Anderson Cashmere Cat Cardi B Perfume Genius
Sky Ferreira En Vogue Lil B Of Montreal Venetian Snares x Daniel Lanois Ryoji Ikeda
Princess Nokia Kimbra Mount Kimbie Corbin Shlohmo The Album Leaf
DJ Tennis Tim Hecker Forest Swords BabyFather G Jones Shabazz Palaces
Andy Stott Jessy Lanza Roni Size Jlin Priests Bjarki
Demdike Stare Saro Rabit X House Of Kenzo B L A C K I E Marcus Marr Hoodcelebrity
Faten Kanaan True American (band)[7] Pearl Crush Deep Cuts Tyler Barber N N O A
Santa Muerte Kona FM Narcons Acid Jeep Hescher Tearz XLX Miguel Flaco Collin Hedrick

Digital artists

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Ryoji Ikeda Mathewe Schreiber Conditional Studio + Processing Foundation James Clar Felicie D'Estienne D'Orves Kyle Mcdonald + Jonas Jongejan
Ryoichi Kurokawa Radio Soulwax VT Pro Hovver The Mill (post-production)[8] Freeka Tet
Playmodes Theodore Fivel + Freeka Tet Ekene Ijeoma Cocolab Sam Cannon Vincent Moon + Priscilla Telmon Lina Dib

Controversy

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After allegations of sexual misconduct with two women by festival founder Omar Afra emerged in August, 2018, the festival cut ties with Afra and foreclosed on the festival-owning entity, removing him from any involvement or ownership. An open records request from Houston Police Department summarized the incident by stating "No injuries, No evidence, No arrest." Afra denied the allegations and called them "patently false."[9][10]

On November 26, 2018, an auction was held for Afra's ownership stake, due to an unfulfilled loan agreement. The ownership stake was sold to FPH Chicken Holdings, who were owed the debt. They intend to pursue additional legal action for the remaining $670,000 owed.[11] FPH Chicken Holdings is now the sole owner of the entity that owns both Free Press Summer Fest and Day for Night. Afra additionally cut ties with Free Press Houston.[12] The festival did not take place in 2018 and it is unclear if it will be held again.

References

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  1. ^ Gray, Chris (September 14, 2016). "Day For Night Reveals 2016 Lineup". Houston Press. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Process_Omar_Afra". www.houstonartsblog.com.
  3. ^ Gray, Chris. "Day For Night Lineup Revealed; Kendrick Lamar, New Order, Phillip Glass On Top". www.houstonpress.com. Houston Press. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  4. ^ McMahon, Kevin (December 22, 2015). "Day for Night 2015 Top 15 moments". www.consequence.net. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  5. ^ "DAY FOR NIGHT FESTIVAL LINEUP REVEALED; BJORK, BUTTHOLE SURFERS AND APHEX TWIN TO PERFORM". www.abc13,com. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  6. ^ "DAY FOR NIGHT FESTIVAL LINEUP REVEALED;". www.stereogum.com. September 20, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  7. ^ "Day For Night 2017 Interview: Promising LA Rock Band, True American, Shows Us What They're Made Of". Magnetic. December 29, 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  8. ^ "Day For Night Lineup: The Mill". Day For Night. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  9. ^ "Day for Night". www.facebook.com. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  10. ^ "Day for Night festival co-founder Omar Afra ousted following assault accusations". CultureMap Houston. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  11. ^ "Free Press Summer Festival auctioned over founder's debt". ABC13 Houston. November 28, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  12. ^ "Popular Houston music festivals auctioned off due to embattled owner's unpaid debt". CultureMap Houston. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
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