Author: Nikos Giassakis

Reset! network: Independence needs to stay independent

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 16/10/2023. Posted in Featured, Reworks Agora.

Reset!, the European network initiated by Arty Farty in Lyon in 2022, federates independent cultural and media structures representing diversity and pluralism in Europe, and amplifies their visibility and networking through a series of actions.

The network’s aim is to highlight the stressful situation and specific needs of today’s cultural independence, which is neither under the control of any public authorities nor affiliated with large private groups.

Working together to redesign (reset) the cultural and media landscape in Europe is Reset!’s main purpose. In its second year, Reset! and its members wish to declare their need to advocate and support their shared values of pluralism, diversity, equality and sustainability on the road to the European Elections 2024.

Europe is at a turning point. At a time when war is resurfacing on the continent, obscurantist, reactionary, and authoritarian forces are rising to power in several countries, exerting an unusual pressure of censorship towards the freedom of expression and cultural exchange. Independent media and cultural players are currently, and more than ever, under many different threats, from disappearance to repression to takeover, along with the ongoing economic concentration of their sector.

Despite being weakened, these structures are nevertheless well equipped to respond to the tensions that Europe is currently facing, persistently developing new approaches and narratives to navigate in the current complex climate of economic and political interests as well as their threatening power dynamics.

With one year to go before the European , we, independent cultural structures and media members of Reset!, intend to warn on the dangers our sector faces and offer our contribution to the rewriting of a new cultural, social, and democratic manifesto. Reset! welcomes all players who share our vision for a fair European cultural and media landscape to join us and contribute to shape those claims into action.

We need to be able to take advantage of the exploratory and forward-thinking mindset of independent cultural structures, adapted to the practices of the next generations, to face the great challenges of our time; from ecological questions to equality, inclusion, technological decentralisation, labour rights, territorial reconnection and more, and close the generational gap of public cultural policies.

It is also crucial to resist the ongoing concentration trend at work in Europe in the cultural, music, publishing and media landscape, which, along with the growing commodification of creativity and arts, poses serious risks to the existence and survival of independent culture as well as to creative freedom, artistic diversity, pluralism of opinion and, more generally, the rise of alternative narratives and voices, both nationally and internationally, inside and outside each border. Freedom can only be experienced and exercised when there is equal access to resources and opportunities, independent of external control, influence and coercion by both autocratic public powers and tentacular monopolistic private groups.‍

We, the independents, form an ecosystem whose work is essential for the growth of any creative initiatives in the territories we represent across the European continent and beyond. We embody a cultural and media landscape that is rooted in engaged communities, youth-oriented, and socially aware. We stand for a vision and know-how that is crucial for the very future of our culture. We stand for European and worldwide cooperation, in weaving relationships in networks and in being open to the new, the unknown, the different, the other. For us, cross-sectoral co-construction is the key to the future of our work.

Beyond raising the alarm, the objective of this statement is to bring together all those who share the ambition to redefine the core meaning of cultural independence, the way sectors interact, and the way they relate to public authorities and the private sector. We have a special part to play in federating citizens around an alternative vision of culture with independence at its centre; in creating a sense of community across creative initiatives; and influencing public policies in the sense of greater social consciousness. We believe that by raising our voices as one and starting to advocate for these elections now we can build a new founding act of a new European paradigm for culture, media and arts that is fair and inclusive for all, both within and beyond Europe’s borders as well as for the future generations.

Paul Kalkbrenner at reworks 2023

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 13/10/2023. Posted in 2023, Featured, Reworks Festival.

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STEREO NOVA at reworks 2023

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 12/10/2023. Posted in 2023, Featured, Reworks Festival.

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GUSGUS at reworks 2023

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 11/10/2023. Posted in 2023, Featured, Reworks Festival.

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MATHAME at reworks 2023

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 10/10/2023. Posted in 2023, Featured, Reworks Festival.

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ARTBAT at reworks 2023

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 05/10/2023. Posted in 2023, Featured, Reworks Festival.

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reworks announces 14 more entries for 2023

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 24/08/2023. Posted in Announcements, Featured, Reworks Festival.

reworks announces 14 more entries for its 19th edition the week of September 20 – 24, 2023

Approaching the 2-decade milestone, in its 19th edition reworks continues to redefine trends. A big meeting that will present more than 40 DJ & Live sets, presenting the wide range of contemporary electronic music and its relationship with other musical trends, while searching for new musical languages will happen again this year in Thessaloniki.

In its first announcement, the festival announced a series of big names that measure up to the global stage such as Paul Kalkbrenner, ARTBAT, Maceo Plex, MATHAME, Mind Against, etc. He also announced the big concert of Stereo Nova in their first appearance in Thessaloniki after 27 years.

From the first day of opening, the quintessence of reworks beyond the presentation of great headliners, is to give opportunities and present artists who will moderate in the future. Over the years, the festival has presented for the first time in Greece more than 500 artists with indicative examples being Moderat in 2010, Nicolas Jaar in 2011, Tale Of Us in 2013, Bicep in 2014, Adriatique in 2016, Anfisa Letyago in 2022.

reworks is pleased to announce 14 new artist entries inviting its visitors to discover them. We are convinced that they will stand out with their performances.

2nd Wave of Acts

With the second announcement of participations we have the pleasure to present GHEIST, the duo that attracts more and more interest and residents of the famous Watergate in Berlin. From far away Japan, for the first time in Greece the most important House producer of house from the Far East, Soichi Terada, creator of “Sounds From The Far East” will be on the last day of reworks, closing this year’s event in the best way.

Combining influences, opening up new spectrums and introducing the world to a new wave of slow down beats and electric garage, Red Axes are the protagonists having shaped a new musical trend which is measuring worldwide by combining deep-disco, cosmic, punk-funk, house and electro influences . reworks presents them for the first time in Thessaloniki on Saturday, September 23. In collaboration with Gigmit and the Rise program the festival also presents Cosmic Cherry from Berlin on Friday 22 September at reworks by night shortly before the big GusGus concert.

Mammal Hands one of the new big names in jazz, presented their project Sunda Arc for the first time in reworks and Greece in 2019. Combining jazz with minimal electronic elements they released one of the best albums in 2022 on Gondwana records the most important label independent jazz electronica label of the last decade. They will present this sound at reworks on Thursday, September 21 at the emblematic Kiverneio just before the big concert of Stereo Nova.

reworks on Saturday 23rd September will set up a stage dedicated to the new trend of euphoric warehouse techno presenting a host of outstanding new artists. For the first time in Greece from Australia, the X CLUB duo, influenced by the rave movement of the ’90s and combining different elements from the contemporary scene, promise an explosive set. Hailing from the Berlin scene, Elli Acula is currently one of techno’s fastest rising acts, with consistent appearances at Berghain, Printworks, Fabric and beyond. Six years after her debut at reworks, Tijana T, with appearances at major festivals such as EXIT, Timewarp, Sonus standing out, returns to reworks as well.

Hellenic electronic scene at reworks

reworks also announces some more participations from the scene of our country and Cyprus emphasizing the presentation of new faces. Scot Dech, Everlyn, Unique, sp33dy julie, Paradise X, Pinelopi are added to the already announced Greek names. reworks consistently presents the electronic scene of Greece maintaining a percentage of the order of 50% in domestic participations.

Big names in Thessaloniki

reworks 2023 includes a favorite in Greece ARTBAT who will make their debut at the festival. The headliner Maceo Plex, returns to Thessaloniki after 5 years with his characteristic sound as well as the GusGus who will make us dance in their live show. Mind Against, Mathame, with their melodic direction, are coming to Thessaloniki in September! Ben Klock, Ellen Allien, Daria Kolosova, Daniel Avery, MARRØN, will rock reworks for good with their dynamic sets. Even more international entries will be announced in the near future

Line up after 2nd Wave

Paul Kalkbrenner / Maceo Plex / ARTBAT / Stereo Nova / Mind Against / Mathame
Ben Klock / Daniel Avery / GHEIST / Ellen Allien / Red Axes / Soichi Terada / X CLUB.
Sunda Arc / Daria Kolosova / GusGus / MARRØN / Tijana T / Elli Acula / Ison / Momery Ehohroma / Cosmic Cherry / Everlyn / Sp33dy Julie / Scot Dech / Paradise X / ArKI / Pinelopi / Unickue

More artists along with the timetable will be announced shortly.

Thessaloniki is a meeting point for friends of contemporary music from all over the world and Greece.

From September 20-24, the city of Thessaloniki, through reworks, becomes the rendezvous of the whole of Greece for modern electronic sound. reworks, the only contemporary festival in Greece with this specific format, presents different actions in various parts of the city, creating a musical walk in Thessaloniki.

Tickets

reworks pass tickets with access to all the activities of the festival for the days 20-23 September as well as the individual day/activity tickets are already available.

Stay tuned on our social media and website of reworks
for all the forthcoming news and announcements.

reworks 2023 venues

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 28/07/2023. Posted in Announcements, Featured, Reworks Festival.

From its very first day, reworks presents the wide spectrum of contemporary electronic music in Greece as a living part of Thessaloniki. Taking place in different locations throughout the city on every edition, reworks tells a unique story to its visitors.

From the east to the west side of Thessaloniki, reworks creates cultural bridges, presenting different areas of the city, breaking stereotypes, by showcasing the different aspects of electronic music and its relation with the urban space. This philosophy, of evolving various different places, creating practically a journey within the city, is considered a novelty for the Greek festival standards.

In its 19th edition, reworks will present its content on 4 different locations in Thessaloniki. DJ and live performances will take place on some of the most emblematic locations of the city, while reworks will return back to its roots, to the place where it first started and bloomed.

Royal Palace (Kivernio)

reworks by Day

Wednesday 20 September

Thursday 21 September

Friday 22 September

Palataki (Royal Palace) is the neoclassical mansion located at the cape of Karabournaki in Kalamaria (Thessaloniki) and has probably the finest view in the city. It is a fine example of neoclassical architecture, designed in the 1950s by I. Christopoulos.

The Royal Palace is not open to the public. Following the success of reworks, reworks agora and preworks in 2021 and 2022, we are ready to return to the yard of this emblematic location for a 3-day music experience.

The yard of the imposing historical building will host reworks by day on Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd of September .

Practical info:

Due to the high attendance expected, we kindly advise you to come as early as possible in order to avoid delays on entry. Plus enjoying and supporting all artists performing from the beginning which is also very important.
Palataki is situated in Kalamaria. We advise the use of taxis or public transport (bus) as there is no parking space nearby.
POS accepting credit cards will be available at every sales point on the venue, but due to restricted and therefore weak 3G & 4G signal in the area of Palataki, there are periods where the POS credit card receivers are not even operating. Therefore it is strongly recommended to have cash with you in order to avoid any unpleasant delays when served.

Block33
2 stages and an outdoor yard

reworks by night

Friday, 22 September

Block 33 is one of the most known concert and event areas in Thessaloniki. Located on a historic building, it has been a reworks spot several times in the last decade and we are ready to go back dancing on a two floor evening on Friday night, September 22nd.

Mylos Complex
5 stages

reworks by night

Saturday, 23 September

On Saturday, September 23rd reworks will come together with old and young friends at a really emotional place, where it was born and where it presented through the years hundreds of artists, a place where it evolved and felt loved, offering many experiences and thrilling moments to all of us.

Mylos complex will bring back memories from the previous editions, with 5 stages and plenty of musical choices from the wide spectrum of electronic, experimental, house and techno.

The MET Hotel

reworks closing day

Sunday, 24 September

On Sunday, September 24th, our drive on the West Side of Thessaloniki will eventually bring us to The Met Hotel and its wonderful rooftop with a 360 view of the city, where reworks will declare its finale in the best way possible, by dancing with an amazing view, renewing the date for the next year.

Paul Kalkbrenner at reworks day 3

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 25/07/2023. Posted in Announcements, Featured, Reworks Festival.

One of the greatest of all time is coming to reworks 2023

Berlin’s Paul Kalkbrenner has charted a career path like no other. A techno talent, who over the course of two decades has emerged from the underground, to top charts, act in and soundtrack a movie, headline festivals and amass millions of fans, all while refusing to compromise his grand techno sound.

Kalkbrenner is synonymous with dance music. He is a figurehead and pioneer in the electronic music scene, an uncompromising artist who has endured despite dance music’s fickle trends and obsession with the new.

Thessaloniki loves him so much and each one of his past appearances is an absolute highlight and landmark in the history of reworks. We are more than excited for his return and we are looking forward to his show at reworks day 3, on Friday September 22nd.

Tickets out now.

Stereo Nova at reworks day 2

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 17/07/2023. Posted in Featured, Reworks Festival.

They have marked the history of modern electronic music of Greece. Their legend has been sustained for decades, with a great nostalgia for this unique duo but also an anticipation of whether we would ever hear them again.

This anticipation is over as on September 21st, after more than 25 years, Stereo Nova will come to perform in Thessaloniki and reworks!

Stereo Nova came suddenly on the surface for the first time in 1992. With their emblematic first self titled album they have changed the way that everyone was listening to music. It is not an exaggeration to say that Konstantinos Bhta and Michael Delta have shaped the modern sound of the 90s in the country. Reflecting the period they have created tracks about the urban and dystopian landscape of the metropolis, the daily routine, the late hour illegal rave parties and the club culture as a phenomenon, combined with a romantic innocence and a unique musical identity, sweet and so updated.

Most of the youth have been nurtured via this Stereo Nova era. With five timeless albums that they released with 5 years, they have influenced far too many eversince. “New Life 705”, “Puzzle in the air”, “Little Boy”, ῾Wireless world”, the masterpiece album “Telson” which is regarded as one of the most important albums of all time in Greece, “Vitamina Tek” have left their stigma and sound as refreshing as they have been made today. Being on the top of the game, the duo decides to split in 1997 each one following a remarkable solo career.

In the meantime, with no new work or performances as Stereo Nova still their music through its longevity has continued to preserve their myth. Until 2018 when out of nowhere they announced a new album after 20 years titled “Uranos”. And 5 years after a new single titled “Irida” just came out recently starting a new promising chapter for them.

During those 26 years Stereo Nova have not performed at all except 3 times all of them in Athens. Their performance for the European Capital of Culture in 2023 has opened up a window of hope that Stereo Nova might perform again. Only 2 performances have been announced, one in Athens in July.

As for the second? We are honored and delighted to welcome this important and legendary group on Thursday 21st of September on reworks, after 26 years on a show that will make history.

reworks reveals the first waves of acts for 2023

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 13/07/2023. Posted in Featured, Reworks Festival.

Approaching the two-decade landmark of its existence, the 19th edition of reworks will present different aspects of the electronic sound, being an open platform of creativity and expression, building bridges between different scenes, generations and norms.

In 2023 reworks curates a line up that celebrates club culture. A host of great DJs from all over the world will be at reworks showcasing the wide variety of sound that dominates the world stage today. At the same time, reworks will present selected emblematic live shows which will be a point of reference in the history of reworks.

reworks festival returns on 20-24 September 2023

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 23/06/2023. Posted in Announcements, Featured, Reworks Festival.

reworks festival returns with a 5-Day schedule on 20-24 September 2023

Reworks is the pioneer electronic music festival of Greece and among the known in Europe presenting the wide spectrum of electronic music and its relation with other music genres since 2005.

Every year, reworks transforms the city of Thessaloniki into a meeting place between friends of advanced music from the city, the whole country and beyond. Five days full of sounds, in different spots create an inner city journey, presenting the unique vibe of the city throughout different experiences under the creative philosophy and celebratory atmosphere of reworks. DJs, live performances from artists from all over the world, but also the domestic scene of Greece and the local city of Thessaloniki create a mosaic from the east to the west side of the city and inbetween.

Approaching the two-decade landmark of its existence, the 19th edition of reworks will present different aspects of the electronic sound, being an open platform of creativity and expression, building bridges between different scenes, generations and norms.

Get ready for the most exciting reworks till now!

The rendez-vous of September for 2023 will be given from Wednesday the 20th till Sunday the 24th. Five days full of music and visual arts, five days full of reworks!

**reworks pass* are now available at a special price!**

On reworks we always believe in the trusting relationship with our visitors. It means a lot to us to preserve this relationship and as every year, again we are happy to announce the release of the special reworks pass at a very special rate before announcing any details of our line up and venues. Trust reworks, get your pass now and enjoy the best deal you can get!

The reworks pass will grant access to all the activities of the festival from Wednesday the 20th of September until Saturday the 23rd of September (20.21.22.23).

The activity of the closing day of reworks, which will take place on Sunday the 24th of September, will be announced on a later stage and the access to it will require the purchase of a separate day ticket.

Also details on day tickets will be revealed in the coming weeks.

See you in September!

Το Reworks Festival ανακοινώνει τις ημερομηνίες διεξαγωγής του για το 2023.

Το reworks είναι το πρωτοποριακό σύγχρονο φεστιβάλ της Ελλάδας και ανάμεσα στα σημαντικά της Ευρώπης, παρουσιάζοντας το ευρύ φάσμα της σύγχρονης ηλεκτρονικής μουσικής και την σχέση της με άλλα μουσικά είδη ανελλιπὤς από το 2005.

Κάθε χρόνο το reworks μεταμορφώνει την Θεσσαλονίκη σε σημείο συνάντησης φίλων της σύγχρονης μουσικής από όλη την χώρα και το εξωτερικό. 5 ημέρες γεμάτες μουσική από άκρη σε άκρη, διαμορφώνουν έναν περίπατο στην Θεσσαλονίκη, προβάλλοντας την ίδια την πόλη, μέσα από την εμπειρία του reworks και με την χαρακτηριστική μουσική ταυτότητα και εορταστικό του κλίμα. DJs, live performances από headliners από όλο τον κόσμο, αλλά και η παρουσίαση της ανερχόμενης ελληνικής αλλά και της σκηνής της Θεσσαλονίκης, παρουσιάζονται σε εμβληματικά και αγαπημένα σημεία της πόλης.

Πλησιάζοντας το ορόσημο των 2 δεκαετιών, στην 19η του έκδοση το reworks συνεχίζει να επανακαθορίζει τις τάσεις, την ώρα που αποτελεί μια ανοικτή πλατφόρμα καλλιτεχνικής έκφρασης και δημιουργικότητας ξεπερνώντας τα όρια και δημιουργώντας γέφυρες ανάμεσα σε κοινά, γενιές και δημιουργικες νόρμες .

Ετοιμαστείτε για το μεγαλύτερο και πιο συναρπαστικό Reworks μέχρι σήμερα!

Το reworks με χαρά ανακοινώνει τις ημερομηνίες διεξαγωγής του για το 2023. Το μεγάλο ραντεβού του Σεπτέμβρη δίνεται από την Τετάρτη 20 μέχρι και την Κυριακή 24 του μήνα. 5 ημέρες γεμάτες μουσική και ψηφιακή τέχνη, πέντε ημέρες reworks!

**Τα reworks pass* είναι τώρα διαθέσιμα.**

Στο reworks πάντοτε πιστεύουμε στην σχέση εμπιστοσύνης με τους επισκέπτες μας. Οπως κάθε χρόνο έτσι και φέτος θα διατεθεί το reworks pass σε προνομιακή τιμή προτού ανακοινώσουμε το line up του φεστιβάλ. Είναι σημαντικό για εμάς να αισθανόμαστε την εμπιστοσύνη και την αγάπη σας προς το reworks.

Ανταποδίδοντας αυτή την αγάπη και την εμπιστοσύνη σας, ανακοινώνουμε την κυκλοφορία περιορισμένου αριθμού εισιτηρίων reworks pass σε ειδική προνομιακή τιμή. Tα reworks pass αφορούν όλες τις δράσεις του reworks από την Τετάρτη έως και Σάββατο (20.21.22.23 Σεπτεμβρίου). Για εσάς που επιθυμείτε να εξασφαλίσετε άμεσα το προνομιακό σας εισιτήριο και να ζήσετε όλη την εμπειρία του reworks πατήστε εδώ.

Η δράση του reworks closing day της Κυριακής 24 Σεπτεμβρίου θα ανακοινωθεί σύντομα με ξεχωριστό εισιτήριο σε περιορισμένο αριθμό διάθεσης.

Preworks: INNELLEA, Adana Twins, Ison, Momery στις 28 Ιουνίου

Written by Nikos Giassakis on 17/06/2023. Posted in Featured, Preworks.

Η αντίστροφη μέτρηση για το Reworks Festival 2023 αρχίζει… ώρα για preworks!

To μεγάλο event που μας προετοιμάζει για το μουσικό γεγονός του Σεπτέμβρη στη Θεσσαλονίκη, επιστρέφει και φέτος στο Βασιλικό Παλατάκι.

Πέρσι το preworks παρουσίασε τους ARTBAT, τον Ison και τον Symmetric σε ένα μοναδικό απόγευμα το οποίο ακόμη έχουμε στην μνήμη μας.

Αυτή τη χρονιά υποδεχόμαστε τον Innellea, έναν από τους πιο αγαπητούς και επιτυχημένους παραγωγούς/djs της γενιάς του. Με δεκάδες chart topping tracks κι ένα πρόγραμμα ασφυκτικά γεμάτο για τους επόμενους μήνες, ο Innellea επιστρέφει σε έναν χώρο που λάτρεψε και γνώρισε την αποθέωση λίγους μήνες πριν στο Reworks Festival.

Σε αυτό το απόγευμα που προμηνύεται συναρπαστικό, θα βρίσκονται μαζί μας και οι Adana Twins. Το chart-topping δίδυμο βρίσκεται αυτή τη στιγμή στο καλύτερο σημείο της καριέρας του, με συμμετοχές στα μεγαλύτερα φεστιβάλ και παραγωγές που υποστηρίζονται από τους κορυφαίους της σκηνής.

Στις 28 Ιουνίου, το ραντεβού μας γνώριμο, αφού από τις 17:00 θα βρεθούμε όλοι μαζί στον υπαίθριο χώρο του Βασιλικού Παλατιού, δίπλα στη θάλασσα, σε ένα από τα ομορφότερα σημεία της Ανατολικής Θεσσαλονίκης.

Τα ευχάριστα νέα δεν σταματούν εδώ, αφού μαζί μας θα βρίσκεται και ο Ison αλλά και οι Momery που καταφθάνουν με περίσσεια ορμή χάρη και στην πρόσφατη νέα κυκλοφορία του στο label Habitat των Mind Against.

Τα εισιτήρια είναι τώρα διαθέσιμα μέσω Cometogether.