FJAAK’s Entertainment – AVA Festival announces 2021 return with FJAAK, KiNK, Helena Hauff, Optimo, Kojaque and more

Lineup includes FJAAK, Jayda G, Carista, KIKI, Optimo and more

Northern Ireland’s live electronic music events sector has kickstarted with the return of AVA Festival in Belfast, featuring a stellar lineup championing both local talent and international acts.

With the one-dayer taking place from 24-25 September, the lineup includes Fjaak, Jayda G, , Helena Hauff, Carista, KIKI, Optimo, Or:la, Hammer, Cromby, Sunil Sharpe, Saoirse and Sally C. An additional highlight is a live performance from house artist KiNK, who collaborated with a samba band at 2018’s AVA.

Also – considered by the festival team to be a curveball move – the festival is this year championing the sounds of emerging Northern Irish artists and sounds, with Irish hip-hop with Dublin rapper Kojaque, Aby Coulibaly, Leo Miyagee and Emby all joining.

Electronica and jazz will also be spotlighted, with multi-instrumentalist and broken beat innovator Kaidi Tatham and Irish vocalist Gemma Dunleavy joining forces for a live performance.

Taking place at Boucher Road Playing Fields, the festival site will have a semi-industrial feel, merging brutalist design with visual electronic art from the likes of Algorithm, Visual Spectrum and Kevin Gartland. AVA will also deliver a full programme of immersive art installations, chill spaces, local food traders, and a cocktail bar.

AVA 2021 will take place from September 24-25.