There are moments when the structure stops holding and nothing arrives to replace it. For its seventeenth iteration, Bologna’s ROBOT Festival anchors itself to an open question rather than a statement: ?Syntax Error
“When the system stops translating, start listening.” The festival runs from the 8th to the 10th October across the industrial halls of DumBO, Estragon, Palazzo Re Enzo and Ex Ospedale dei Bastardini, following two previews — at the Parco Archeologico di Kainua in Marzabotto on 13th September, and at Palazzo Re Enzo on 25th September.
A system error, without a diagnosis
?Syntax Error isn’t presented as a thesis. ROBOT frames it as a condition rather than a critique: the moment something stops decoding, with no culprit to name and no cause that would explain much even if it were found. Across the multi-site map the festival lets the disorientation stand — some will find it unbearable, others will recognise in it the only available pleasure. Neither is the correct reading; the theme exists because there isn’t one.
The programme
The programming operates just as carefully. Advanced generative systems anchor the vanguard, led by Autechre’s pitch-black algorithmic live show at Estragon, the spatial sound designs of Actress and Space Afrika, and the radical acoustic manipulations of Marina Herlop alongside Noémi Büchi and Aho Ssan.
Physical acoustic field research finds space through Lawrence English, Marta Salogni & Stefano Pilia, the post-punk ambient of Carla dal Forno—headlining the second preview showcase at Palazzo Re Enzo on 25th September—and the low-end explorations of Kevin Richard Martin – already presented this week at the official preview – while legacy braindance pioneer Bochum Welt brings more historical weight.
Proper clubbing carries on elsewhere across the schedule with hardware operator Blawan, the punk rave feels from Boys Noize, the heavy and electro collision of DJ Stingray 313 alongside the UK-meets-experimental techno of Batu driving the physical edge of the bill. These are woven alongside the timeless Detroit house input of Moodymann, the performance art of Mykki Blanco, and a compelling live clash of deconstructed club and avant-garde percussion from upsammy & Valentina Magaletti.
Among many more across the three-day expanse, additions like MACE, Kratu, Filibalou, MDX, Memoryman aka Uovo, Suz & Giuseppe Franchellucci, and the dedicated installation-performance hybrid from URË round out the bill.
