Fractal: A Trip of Experimental Sound, Community, and Freedom of Expression
Fractal began almost six years ago in the summer of 2019, following my time in Durham during the end of exams. At that moment, I found the local scene to be hollow, lacking in diverse and experimental events. There was a need for something challenging; a space that would stimulate and provide a unique, immersive experience. With that vision, Fractal was born – an alternative, community-oriented project focused on creative freedom. My intention was never to be a boss or leader but to create a platform that would eventually be cooperatively run. Although I wasn’t a DJ myself, I encouraged those who came to play to have no restrictions or agendas for their sets. This philosophy resonated deeply with both the artists and supporters, creating an environment where no one ever quite knew what to expect.
As an offshoot of the Durham Psychedelic Society – a university group dedicated to discussing psychedelics through talks, film screenings, reading groups, and more – Fractal quickly built its own reputation. Our first event took place on the Prince Bishop River Cruiser, a small but powerful boat that carried us down the river as the night unfolded, accompanied by immersive visuals. From the beginning, we curated a wide range of genres – from trance and techno to noise, ambient, glitchy, jungle, and drum and bass. We encouraged artists to experiment and push creative boundaries, offering an alternative to the commercial tech house and chart music that dominated Durham’s nightlife. This unique approach set us apart and helped bring more variety to the local scene.
Over the years, Fractal has continued to thrive, hosting over 50 events across various venues. We are now operating independently from the Durham variant and have begun expanding into Newcastle. It brings me immense joy to see Fractal still going strong nearly six years later, with Luke currently at the helm and the future looking bright.
Fractal in Bristol: A New Chapter Begins
In 2022, we launched Fractal in Bristol, kicking off with the sell-out event INSURGENCE at the Fox. Collaborating with Psy-jelly in Room 2, we ventured into a broad spectrum of genres, though we primarily centred around techno and industrial/free-party sounds, with Psy-jelly (now “Deep Sea Frequencies”) contributing psy-dub and psy-bass. Our line-ups featured hybrid live production setups alongside DJs, and we quickly established ourselves as a key player in the Bristol scene.
Since then, we’ve taken Bristol by storm, hosting events at Cosies, Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft, The Bell, Basement 45, The Fox, The Exchange, and more. From techno to jungle, footwork to experimental bass, our focus has always been on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We’re proud to be a space where creativity and self-expression flourish, catering to diverse musical tastes while pushing the boundaries of established genres. Whether it’s live jungle sets with Ground:Sound’s innovative use of the Digitakt or industrial techno headliners like INDXSTRIAL STRXNGTH, we continue to explore uncharted territory and collaborate with a wide variety of partners, including Moonrack, Hotwash, Psy-jelly, and Terrain.
WARP: Our Most Ambitious Event Yet
For our most ambitious event yet, WARP, we’ve brought together a stellar line-up of crews and artists to take over The Exchange, armed with its renowned Funktion-One sound system. We’ve teamed up with Drumcult, Aphrodite Audio, and The Thing to deliver a night of genre-defying chaos.
Drumcult, known for their dark and bass-heavy sounds, have been rising players in Bristol’s alternative music scene. Their residents – Spuddy, DJ Freddo, and HMFX – will bring a potent mix of hard trance, bouncy techno, UKG, and Spuddy’s fierce lyricism to the stage.
We’re also thrilled to have Aphrodite Audio, a collective of LGBTQIA+ and femme-presenting ravers, who are uniting to create a new sound system rooted in community and collaboration. For WARP, they’ll be hosting one of their first legal event takeovers, and we can’t wait to witness their magic.
Joining them will be JACKDOESJUNGLE, who’s making his debut at Fractal after cutting his teeth at house parties. Known for his electrifying drum-driven sets, he promises to bring the heat for a crowd ready to move. Meanwhile, SUDONIM, co-founder of Aphrodite Audio, will offer a genre-blurring experience, mixing everything from Speed Grage to Hardtek to Tribecore.
The Thing, a crew infamous for their eclectic mix of world rhythms, leftfield edits, and bass-heavy grooves, will round out the night with their signature sound. Joeti, one of their co-founders, brings a unique blend of global rhythms and bass-heavy club beats, while Hunter’s frenetic multi-genre selections will complement Joeti’s madness perfectly. There will also be visuals by Puttyrubber, Pneumatek, and Dayne Griffiths
To complete the immersive experience, we’ve enlisted three visionary visual artists: Puttyrubber, Pneumatek, and Dayne Griffiths.
Puttyrubber, a Bristol-based VJ and live video artist, has performed at Glastonbury’s Temple stage, Shambala’s Solasta stage, and the highly respected Free Rotation Festival. With her deep connections to Bristol’s modular and experimental scene, she’s a master of live video feedback art. Her live projection mapping at WARP will add another layer of depth to the experience, creating an immersive and acidic visual accompaniment to the music.
Pneumatek, an artist known for his motion-reactive visuals, will contribute his expertise in translating altered states and spiritual traditions into shared, immersive experiences. His use of modern technology will invite the audience to expand their perceptions and challenge their understanding of reality.
Dayne Griffiths, a multi-talented artist, will bring his unique live drawing style to WARP. Dayne’s work captures the raw essence of emotions that emerge from environments and the cultural movements of society. His pieces pivot between intimate portraits of uncelebrated individuals – such as street musicians, poets, and clowns – and larger studies of crowds, capturing the mood of entire situations. These crowd sketches evoke emotions ranging from joy and sorrow to gratitude and rage, with his signature purple biro lines expressing the underlying feelings in every scene. Dayne’s work is a constant, unapologetic study, never created with any other motive than to capture what he feels is already there. His live drawings will enhance the sensory journey of WARP, providing a visual reflection of the night’s energy.
The Closing Act: El-Ze
To close the night, we’re honoured to have El-Ze, a rising star in Bristol’s music scene, as our headliner. El-Ze, who began her journey in the free party scene, has since made waves at renowned venues such as Loco Club, Lost Horizon, Greenworks, and Basement 45. As one of the masterminds behind Bristol Zoo, a new events brand taking over the city, El-Ze’s eclectic, genre-defying sets are always fresh and unpredictable.
Her music spans everything from Arabic folk and Latin influences to dark jungle and dubstep, with plenty of surprises thrown in. Beyond her musical talents, El-Ze is deeply politically engaged, using her platform to give a voice to those who often go unheard. Her powerful, passionate advocacy for justice and community makes her aligned with what we stand for and we can’t wait for her set!
A Unique Collaboration: Aloka + Ground:Sound
Another exciting collaboration we’re thrilled to announce is the combination of Aloka and Ground:Sound. Aloka, known for her unique blend of Neo-Soul, Dub, and Hip-Hop, brings a soulful voice that has resonated across Bristol and London. Performing with a range of artists, Aloka has also collaborated with Twende, an arts and events organisation celebrating global music.
Ground:Sound, an electronic music producer with a talent for blending genres and pushing boundaries, will bring his deep expertise to the stage. Together, Aloka and Ground:Sound will deliver a live ambient performance, creating an ethereal and atmospheric start to the night, perfectly complementing the chaos that will follow. Their collaboration, combined with two audiovisual artists and live sketches by Dayne Griffiths, promises an unforgettable experience.
**Join Us for WARP at The Exchange**
Get ready for a sensory journey like no other. WARP at The Exchange, Saturday at 10:30 PM – 4:00 AM. Tickets are running low, so grab yours before we sell out. Last entry is at 1:00 AM, and we’ll be closing at 4:00 AM.
Prepare yourself for a night of boundary-pushing music, immersive visuals, and an inclusive space where creativity knows no limits. See you on the dancefloor!
Written by Alex Stanley
Opinion
