AIGEL is an innovative electronic duo founded in 2016 by Tatar singer-songwriter Aigel Gaisina and music producer Ilya Baramiia. their music vividly reflects a fusion of cultures and musical traditions. their debut album “1190” released in 2017 addresses critical issues of social fairness in society. the track “Tatarin” from this album became iconic, amassing over 118 million views on YouTube and winning accolades at the Berlin Music Awards. in 2020, the music video for “You’re Born” gained wide attention, earning a Silver Lion at the Cannes Lions festival. finally, their Tatar-language song “Piyala” topped the global Shazam chart in 2023 and hit number one on Apple Music and Spotify in multiple countries.
the ‘Arabian Fuzz’ collective AL-QASAR, founded in Paris’s Barbès neighborhood in 2015 by US-French producer Thomas Attar Bellier, introduces its debut album! featuring members from France, Armenia, Turkey, and the USA, they blend Eastern and Western musical traditions. the album features celebrities like Jello Biafra from Dead Kennedys and Lee Ranaldo from Sonic Youth. AL-QASAR’s music merges the hypnotic rhythms of North African trance with Arabic scales and rock’n’roll, creating a powerful sound described themselves as “the world’s most dangerous wedding band.”
The Dalahast group was founded at the end of 2016 in Uzbekistan and initially specialized in instrumental music with elements of improvisation. later, vocalist Ohista Zhamshid joined the lineup, and the group began performing songs in the Uzbek language. the group actively works in the genres of ethno-fusion and “global” music, combining various styles and cultural influences. Dalahast features original music based on poems by modern and classical Uzbek poets, touching on themes of dreams, life and death, joy and sadness. since 2017, the group has been actively performing at various venues in Tashkent, participating in international festivals and cultural events, such as Ün Music Week in Almaty, Groza, SCO and many others. each musician in the group makes a unique contribution, enriching the group’s creativity with their musical projects and unique vision.
one of those musicians whose career has grown from performing in subways and on Almaty’s Arbat to the country’s biggest festivals. his unique feature is his skillful combination of genres and languages: he easily mixes Kazakh and English, indie pop, hip-hop and folk.
he is not afraid of collaborations with sound and style, and is one of the brightest voices of a generation.
Flyin Up is an independent musical act from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, inspired by post-metal, psychedelic rock and local ethnic music.
founded in 2012, the group became iconic to the local scene and currently actively takes part in the underground movement of Uzbekistan, performing at various significant festivals, as well as creating their own events.
in June 2023, the band released a debut LP in Uzbek language – Jimlik (“Silence”). this album is a research on various metaphysical questions embodied in songs that have been composed over the last 6-7 years.
this year the band released the 1-hour movie created via AI as a video maintenance to the “Jimlik” album. the movie shall immerse listeners deeply to the core album ideas and will be played along at the mocfest.
Gaye Su Akyol, already a legendary Istanbul-based artist, after a long period of silence, finally presents her 4th album “Anadolu Ejderi” (Anatolian Dragon). continuing her unique blend of Turkish psychedelia, social commentary, and retro-futuristic sounds, this album is her most personal and uncompromising work yet. it combines courage and innovation with a mix of global and personal themes, adding depth to her music that transitions from Anatolian folk to rock and disco.
Joseph Tumari, an electronic musician and producer from Tashkent that creates a unique sound that he describes as a “symbiosis of introverted nostalgia with elements of ambient, electro, and techno, possessing a unique atmosphere”.
his music is often characterized by broken rhythms, dark melodies, and rhythmic lines, creating a rich and powerful audiovisual landscape. vintage synthesizers combined with lo-fi sound give the pieces warmth and authenticity, evoking a sense of nostalgia and creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
his musical approach is a fresh take on the electronic scene, combining classic techniques with experimental sound design. this allows Joseph to create compositions that are both familiar and surprisingly new, where each track is a journey into the past and future simultaneously.
Turkish band Lalalar is back with a new album! following their first LP that set European stages on fire in 2022, they announce “En Kötü Iyi Olur”, an album that mirrors their style: edgy, independent and tremendously energetic. rooted in Anatolian poetry and sounds, Lalalar maintains a focus on club-oriented rock. the first single “Hem Evimsin Hem Cehennemim” blends classic Turkish and Middle Eastern sounds into a club banger.
LOUD373 is a musical project of two producers from Kokand, infused with a deep respect for their heritage and a desire to reinterpret cultural codes through music. LOUD373 do not just mix traditional motifs with electronic beats, they strive to convey the emotional state and mood of the past, awakening deep feelings and reflection. the band actively participates in cultural life, performing at famous festivals such as Groza, Stihia, and enlivening dozens of parties with their energetic sets. their performances combine techno, breakbeat, drum’n’bass, dubstep with the atmosphere of traditional Uzbek music, performances of local humourists and visual memes from Uzbek tiktok.
