Earlier this year, we headed to the fourth edition of the first ever Romanian showcase festival and conference and found the music scene in post-communist Romania becoming more and more international and at a more purposeful rate than ever. In Bucharest we met a lot of the great industry professionals orchestrating this shift. People working without a penny from the traditionally-minded government. People spurred on by a lust and passion to see quality yet oft-overlooked acts succeed on a global level, no matter what gets in their way.

Subsequently, we can’t help but give a tip of the hat to those behind the line-up for the forthcoming Telekom Electronic Beats festival at Expirat, Bucharest: from 13 – 15 June. It's a major step forward in the process: slotting budding and established talent from across the globe in alongside some of the most incredible acts in Romania right now is surely the name of the game. A chance for reciprocity, which ought to leverage opportunities for everyone involved to make their mark around the world. 

And a tip o’ the hat for the choices too. It’s a line-up (which you can find a link to on Gigwise below) that acts as a confluence for festival goers seeking hard-hitting dance music, and those who aspire to hear thought-provoking live music that’s trying something new without falling into complete obscurity. Moreover, it’s the line-up created by those who know and love the scene; TEB as both online media and festival is based in Berlin, and has been championing music in central and eastern Europe for some time. They even put on TEB as a two-dayer at Control Club in Bucharest last year. They’ve been doing much needed groundwork to blur the boundaries between east and west, ahead of the co-ordinated push which appears to be happening with the above mentioned showcase festival now in Romania. 

To top it off, Expirat club – where it’s all set to happen – is an ace choice: a former factory turned multi-level live space that’s close to – but also far enough away from – the city centre, feels like a proper destination venue. And if this stellar venue is where you’re heading – or thinking about going – this week for TEB festival then, you won’t want to miss this lot below. Each one is worth the festival ticket price alone.

Karpov not Kasparov

Set time: 13 June - 21:00 at Expirat Main Hall 
Socials: Facebook / Instagram

One of the best bands around at the moment, Valerius Borcos and Eduard Gabia’s Karpov not Kasparov impressed us with shows at Tallinn Music Week and MMB in recent weeks. Such is the strength of their live show, it’s no wonder they’ve been welcomed on stages at 38 different European cities. Their latest album Soundtrack For A Game Of Chess, which weaves 80s dancefloor music into eastern-infused melodies was originally written for an actual game of chess. And their subsequent vocal edits album is where we’ve found ourselves digging in for repeat listens, with hits such as ‘Mechanical Turk’ proving to be rousing alternative bangers. The band are on their way to London soon, too, for their debut show, but are well known to be one of the greatest DIY success stories in their home country and will have a packed dancefloor come Thursday.

DJ Seinfeld

Set time: 14 June - 02:00 at Expirat Main Hall
Socials: Facebook / Instagram

Influential house figure DJ Seinfeld is in the midst of promoting his astounding EP Galazy, which came out via his own label Young Ethics. The EP highlight is the title track and demonstrates why he’s wildly acclaimed; the cosmic polyphony of beats, effects and transcendental synth stabs is difficult not to lust over. Such audiophile credibility ought to come in handy when it comes to taking the standout slot at Expirat on Friday. Live, he pushes the tempo without compromising on creativity. And as you’ll see on his Boiler Room slot below, is fully capable of being the perfect soundtrack to lose your marbles to.

HVOB

Set time: 13 June - 23:20 at Expirat Main Hall
Socials: Facebook / Instagram

Austrian duo HVOB are famed for minimalist electronic music with beat-driven highs and ethereal lows. Their live set is one of the hottest touring Europe right now and they just sold out the sizeable Electric in Brixton. Hearing the bewitching, reverb-kissed vocal of co-founder Anna Müllerand mix with the hybrid of acoustic and analog beats and watching their psychedelic visuals is bound to be a festival highlight. Crowds in all the footage we’ve seen inevitably go completely nuts.

VTSS

Set time: 15 June - 04:30 - 06:30 b2b set with UMFANG & 06:00. Both at Expirat
Socials:  Facebook / Instagram

EBM and techno star VTSS is a stand out on the Discwoman showcase (one of a few showcases happening at the festival) on the final day at Expirat. The Berlin-based, Polish-born producer makes visceral, pummelling mixes with lavish amounts of distortion lending themselves to hard-hitting techno grooves and haunting flourishes of a sometimes gothic shade. In Berlin and Warsaw she’s a leading figure of the underground rave scene but more recently an international jet setting career has started to emerge.

Nipple's Delight

Set time: 15 June - 22:00 at Expirat Platforma Wolff
Socials: Soundcloud 

We don't take it for granted that you'll have endless amounts of energy to give your all to hard-hitting techno all night. So may we suggest something a little more laid back and light-hearted? Enter Bucharest's Nipple's Delight - a DJ duo with a ridiculous concept and Soundcloud page to match who compensate for their punk behaviour with some warm analog electro delights, slo-mo, disco, broken beat, world, Afrobeat, tropical music and weird house. Imagine yourself with a cocktail in your hand enjoying a sizzling summer evening in Bucharest to the track below and you'll get why we're tipping them.

UMFANG

Set time: 03:30 - 04:30 & 04:30-06:30 b2b set with VTSS. Both at Expirat.
Socials: Facebook / Instagram

UMFANG from New York has a punk ethic when it comes to making polyrhythmic techno, going in with unabashed confidence, she admirably recorded her debut long player for Ninja Tune imprint Technicolour live in single takes. Of her sound, the legendary Actress, who played her mix on Radio 1Xtra, said:“It’s techno, but she’s got these very subtle different ways of starting a track and transitioning from one idea to another – which is exactly what techno is about.” With such emphasis on live sound, UMFANG is another unmissable addition to the Discwoman showcase.

Interested to find out more? For full line-up and ticket information and all set times visit the TEB website.

Check their Facebook event page here