For those who follow left-of-centre pop, electronic music and adventurous club sounds, C2C Festival has long been one of the most exciting festivals in Europe. We went last year, and the experience confirmed what the line-up already suggested: this is a festival with a real point of view. It knows how to bring together big names, cult favourites and more experimental artists without making the programme feel random.

Among the new additions, The Avalanches are one of the biggest surprises. The Australian group, known for their sample-heavy, emotional collages, will play the opening night at OGR Torino. Their appearance comes as they are teasing their next chapter, following their 2020 album We Will Always Love You. And their recent single “Together,” featuring Nikki Nair, Jessy Lanza, and Prentiss, got us particularly excited.

Shygirl is another major addition. The London artist, who has become one of the most exciting voices in electronic pop, mixing club music, grime, R&B, hip hop and hyperpop, will perform in Italy for the very first time.

The announcement also brings Smerz back to the festival. Loyal readers will know that we have been following the Norwegian duo since “Because” in 2016. Their album Big City Life was one of last year’s most significant records, and they were also one of our highlights of the festival last year. In 2026, the duo will perform at Teatro Carignano for a special matinée. This is also one of the key pieces of news from the announcement: the historic Turin venue returns to the programme for the first time in eleven years.

Also joining the bill are Grouper, the much-loved project of Liz Harris, whose intimate ambient folk should make for one of the most beautiful moments of the closing day; ML Buch, one of the most interesting names from the new CPH scene; and Elias Rønnenfelt, frontman of Iceage, who arrives after a very prolific period including his solo album Speak Daggers and lucre, a collaborative project with Dean Blunt that was one of favourite releases of 2025.

C2C Festival 2026 will run from Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November. Tickets via DICE.

These names join an already stacked lineup that includes the return of Blood Orange, Four Tet, A. G. Cook, and Nicolas Jaar (in a unique collaboration with Ali Sethi). Rising stars Saya Gray and Nourished By Time, genre-bending acts like Ecco2k, and sonic visionaries such as John Maus, Djrum, and Skee Mask round out the list of artists who’ll take over Turin’s Lingotto Fiere and OGR Torino this autumn.

Now in its 23rd edition, C2C Festival (formerly Club To Club) will take place from 30 October to 2 November 2025, coinciding with Turin’s Contemporary Art Week. This year’s theme, Per Aspera Ad Astra, is dedicated to the late Sergio Ricciardone and promises a vibrant celebration of avant-pop in all its forms.

“Virginia Tech” follows the warm, collaborative vibe of Sinister Grift, which Panda Bear recorded in Lisbon with friends and fellow Animal Collective members. And good news: he’s extending his tour dates across the US and Europe this fall (itinerary below).

Panda Bear‘s Tour

06-02 Leeds, England – Brudenell Social Club
06-03 Birmingham, England – Castle & Falcon
06-04 Manchester, England – Gorilla
06-05 Bristol, England – Bristol Beacon
06-06 Brighton, England – Chalk
06-07 London, England – Victoria Park
08-15 Crickhowell, Wales – Green Man Festival
09-15 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
09-16 Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
09-17 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
09-18 Queens, NY – Knockdown Center
09-20-21 Accord, NY – Woodsist Festival
09-19-21 Philadelphia, PA – Making Time
09-22 Millvale, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre
09-23 Lexington, KY – The Burl
09-25 Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
09-26 Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
09-27 Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s
09-29 Kansas City, MO – Warehouse on Broadway
09-30 Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater
10-01 Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
10-04 Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall
10-05 Santa Fe, NM – Meow Wolf
10-07 Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
10-08 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
10-03 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Music Festival
10-10 Austin, TX – Austin City Limits Music Festival
10-30 Nantes, France – Le Lieu Unique
10-31 Rouen, France – Le 106
11-02 Brussels, Belgium – Les Nuits Weekender
11-03 Lille, France – L’aéronef
11-04 Paris, France – Pitchfork Music Festival Paris
11-05 Eindhoven, Netherlands – Effenaar
11-09 Copenhagen, Denmark – Studie 2
11-10 Aarhus, Denmark – Voxhall
11-12 Gothenburg, Sweden – Nefertiti
11-14 Oslo, Norway – Blå
11-15 Stockholm, Sweden – Slaktkyrkan
11-17 Berlin, Germany – Festsaal Kreuzberg

Now, Catharina Stoltenberg and Henriette Motzfeldt have just released a new video, “Dreams,” and it’s a stunner. Directed by lEngUa and starring Smerz themselves, the video leans into the track’s ascending synths and that echoing refrain “dream about me.” The result is a visual trip that feels like floating through memory: intimate, surreal, and full of longing. It’s Smerz doing what they do best: blurring the line between the everyday and the ethereal.

And there’s more: this fall, Smerz will be taking Big City Life on the road with their first major headline tour, bringing their unique mix of one-finger piano riffs, preset strings, and deadpan storytelling to stages across Europe and North America. Full itinerary below.

Smerz Tour Dates:

Sept. 6 – MUNCH Museums – Oslo, Norway
Sept. 10 – Hus7 – Stockholm, Sweden
Sept. 11 – Inkonst – Malmö, Sweden
Sept. 12 – Alter Festival – Aarhus, Denmark
Sept. 13 – Alice – Copenhagen, Denmark *SOLD OUT
Sept. 14 – Alice – Copenhagen, Denmark *SOLD OUT
Sept. 25 – Kuudes Linja – Helsinki, Finland

Oct. 9 – Unsound Festival – Krakow, PL

Oct. 12 – Madame Lou’s – Seattle, WA
Oct. 13 – Holocene – Portland, OR
Oct. 15 – Holland Project – Reno, NV
Oct. 16 – Cafe du Nord – San Francisco, CA
Oct. 17 – The Regent Theater – Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 20 – Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL
Oct. 21 – The Garrison – Toronto, ON
Oct. 22 – Théâtre Fairmount – Montreal, QC
Oct. 24 – *TBA – Queens, NY

Nov. 3 – Sala B – Madrid, ES
Nov. 4 – El Pumarejo – Barcelona, ES
Nov. 5 – B.Leza – Lisbon, PT
Nov. 8 – Simple Things – Bristol, UK
Nov. 18 – Moth Club – London, UK *SOLD OUT
Nov. 19 – Moth Club – London, UK *SOLD OUT
Nov. 21 – TBA – Bern, CH
Nov. 22 – Silent Green – Berlin, DE

If you’ve been following HighClouds, you already know how much we love Sofia Kourtesis. Her music is this perfect blend of joyful house beats, lush tropical vibes, and meaningful messages. Tracks like “La Perla” and “By Your Side” feel like a warm embrace on the dancefloor. And her live sets? Pure magic.

Who Is Sofia Kourtesis?

Born in Magdalena, Lima, Peru, and now based in Berlin, Sofia Kourtesis is a Peruvian-Greek producer, DJ, and vocalist whose music seamlessly blends house rhythms with personal and political narratives. Her journey into music began with her self-titled EP in 2019. She continued to evolve her sound with Sarita Colonia in 2020 and the critically acclaimed Fresia Magdalena in 2021.

In 2023, Kourtesis released her debut album Madres via Ninja Tune. The album is a journey through house music, inspired by human connection, love, and the fight for meaningful causes. It also serves as a heartfelt tribute to her mother and to neurosurgeon Peter Vajkoczy, who played a pivotal role in her battle with cancer.

Sofia’s music is deeply personal, often incorporating field recordings and samples from her life experiences, including protests in Peru and moments with her family. Her work not only makes you dance but also makes you feel and reflect.

This show is part of the DEMM25 celebrations (a movement for democracy in Europe), which makes Sofia’s presence even more special. Expect dancing, good vibes, and maybe even a few emotional moments.

So, if you’re around Madrid, come through. Good music, good people, and a summer night to remember — all for free.

📅 When: Friday, June 20, 2025
📍 Where: Matadero Madrid
💸 Price: €0.00 (it’s free, seriously!)

This is hands down one of the best music events in Europe. Why? Because for over two decades, C2C has been curating lineups that reads like a map of where music is going next. Before they became household names, artists like James Blake, Arca, and Blood Orange played early sets here. It’s the kind of festival that rewards curiosity and discovery and where the artist you’ve never heard of might end up blowing your mind.

In 2025, C2C Festival is already shaping up to be another unforgettable edition.

This year, as usual, fans of avant-pop, electronic and experimental music will be pleased once again. A. G. Cook returns with his hyper-pop wizardry, while Four Tet and Skee Mask bring their genre-blurring, shape-shifting club genius to the stage. Nicolas Jaar teams up with Ali Sethi for what’s bound to be a haunting, beautiful collision of sound and tradition. And yes, Blood Orange — one of the festival’s breakout alumni — is back, full circle.

The rest of the lineup is no less thrilling: experimental mainstays like John Maus, Jenny Hval, and DJrum; rising voices like Saya Gray, Nourished By Time, and Florence Sinclair; the theatrical intensity of Model/Actriz; and the lush ambient electronics of French producer Malibu.

You’ll also catch Isabella Lovestory’s explosive energy, Daniel Blumberg’s raw songwriting, and the boundary-pushing duo IOSONOUNCANE & Daniela Pes. Finally, don’t miss Ecco2k, the enigmatic YHWH Nailgun, or Titanic — Mabe Fratti and I la Católica’s new collaborative project. And there’s still more to be announced.

I guess that you got it: it’s the kind of lineup that doesn’t spoon-feed you the obvious. It challenges you, surprises you, and leaves you thinking long after the lights come up.

Through hardship to the stars

This year’s edition also carries a deeper emotional weight. C2C has announced its 2025 theme: “Per aspera ad astra” — through hardship to the stars — a tribute to the festival’s late founder and director, Sergio Ricciardone, who passed away in March. Ricciardone’s vision helped shape C2C into the singular event it is today — a space where music, art, and culture are always in motion, always reaching for something greater. Jamie xx was among those who honored his memory recently as he dedicated a touching moment to Sergio during his recent show in Milan.

🎟️ Tickets are already on sale. Hopefully we’ll catch you there.

NINA at Sala B – May 2
NINA is one of the three singer-songwriters in London’s bar italia. For over 10 years, she has also been stepping out solo with a vibe that’s murky, minimal, and kind of magnetic. Her music features drawled, theatrical vocals over skeletal beats—like early trip-hop tangled in broken post-punk wires.

E-Prime at Siroco – May 24
If you like your music introspective but still danceable, don’t miss E-Prime. This Toronto duo, formed by former members of the band Doomsquad — siblings Trevor and Jaclyn Blumas– blends ambient textures with sexy, retro beats. Their last EP, Dry Throats and Sunburns, was released on Montreal label SSURROUNDSS.

Sharp Pins at Sala B – May 27
Ready for some fuzzy, lo-fi power pop? Chicago’s Sharp Pins might be barely out of their teens, but they sound like seasoned indie rockers who grew up on 90s college radio. Their new album Radio DDR is packed with jangly guitars and punchy hooks — all delivered with an infectious DIY energy. El Sol has seen plenty of rising stars hit its stage, and Sharp Pins could be next, so catch them now before they blow up.

Cabiria at El Sótano – June 5
Cabiria’s dreamy synth-pop is like stepping into a neon-lit memory—melancholic, cinematic, and just plain addictive. Catch her at El Sótano, one of Malasaña’s coziest basement venues, if you want to hear songs from RADIO CORAL, her upcoming album, brought to life on stage.

Dehd at Sala Villanos – June 11
Dehd are bringing their reverb-soaked and theatrical garage rock all the way from Chicago, and their Madrid stop is shaping up to be one of the summer’s most cathartic gigs. Sala Villanos is gritty, loud, and perfect for the band’s raw energy. Expect sweat, singalongs, and a little heartbreak.

Kalorama Madrid – June 21
Featuring Boy Harsher, Model/Actriz, Azealia Banks & Pet Shop Boys

Yes, Pet Shop Boys and Azealia Banks are icons. But if you’re into the underground, get there early for Boy Harsher’s shadowy synths and Model/Actriz’s unhinged, industrial post-punk. Bonus: Scissor Sisters are back on stage and they’ll also perform on June 21st.

Beth Gibbons at Noches del Botánico – July 15
This one’s special. Beth Gibbons—yes, the haunting voice of Portishead—is playing a solo set in the lush gardens of Real Jardín Botánico. It’s outdoors. It’s intimate. It’ll probably ruin you emotionally in the best way possible. Don’t miss it.

Ethel Cain at Teatro Eslava – November 8
Gothic Americana meets Southern Gothic storytelling—Ethel Cain is the moment. Her show at Teatro Eslava this November will feel like a slow-burning sermon, drenched in reverb and religious imagery. If you know, you know. Unfortunately, this one sold out in a flash, so your best bet is to keep an eye on resale platforms and hope you get lucky. Her second album, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, is out in August 2025.

Destroyer at Teatro Magno – November 24
Canadian cult indie legend Dan Bejar (aka Destroyer) is set to drape the Magno club in his signature blend of poetic, off-kilter indie rock. Expect a set that swings from delicate to anthemic, all anchored by Bejar’s unmistakable half-sung, half-spoken vocals. It’s a rare chance to catch a cult favorite with decades of music under his belt in an intimate venue — soak it up.

We’ll do our best to keep this article updated with all the new gigs we’re excited about. If you want to meet up, shoot us a message on Instagram—let’s grab a beer before or after the show!