Iggyfest Blah Blah Blah

Home , Andy Anderson (drummer), Tim Pope

ICA Press release: 5 August 2013 Iggyfest Blah Blah Blah

Friday 22 November to Saturday 23 November 2013

“Playing with IGGY was like going into combat, you had to be ready for anything. He is truly one of the most exciting, smartest, greatest artists to ever land on planet rocknroll and not to mention decades ahead of his time!" – Clem Burke

Iggyfest: Blah Blah Blah at the ICA will explore and celebrate the cultural legacy of American singer, songwriter, musician and actor Iggy Pop. This weekend festival will feature live performances, film screenings, talks, DJ sets and an Iggy karaoke party. Tickets for the festival are available from the ICA box office and www.ica.org.uk.

Iggy Pop is one of the most influential figures in music. His work has gained a devoted following around the world and inspired successive generations of musicians. He has been widely labelled as ‘the Godfather of punk’, though he himself describes this title as ‘tedious’. Indeed, his musical back catalogue is eclectic, ranging from the feral rock of early Stooges to ballads and electronica, from nihilism to radio-friendly love songs.

Despite the quality and scope of his studio work, Iggy’s biggest impact on music may be as a live performer. His visceral, urgent, unpredictable style excites and mesmerizes audiences. The inventor of stage diving, he has also rolled around in broken glass and vomited on stage – a reflection, he maintains, that his performances represent what he is feeling at that moment. Iggyfest will include a screening of Tim Pope’s concert film Kiss My Blood, which captures an in-form Iggy, replete with exposed penis, on stage at the Olympia in Paris, in 1991.

Until 1986’s Blah Blah Blah album, Iggy had enjoyed relatively little commercial success. From then on he gained a much larger audience. Blah Blah Blah is an extraordinary fusion of rock and electronica. Lyrically, it showed a softer side to Iggy. The album also highlighted once again his ability to collaborate, with David Bowie both co-writing and co- producing the album. Iggyfest will include a live performance of the entire album.

Iggyfest programme highlights will include: • Blah Blah Blah: a performance of the album by The Passengers, comprising renowned session musicians Kevin Armstrong and Erdal Kizilcay – who played on the record – and performance artist Alex Zapak; with Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) on saxophone, Andy Anderson (Iggy Pop, The Cure) on drums, and Richard Cottle (David Bowie/Eric Clapton/Manic Street Preachers) on keyboards • Live performance of Iggy Pop and The Stooges songs by Terry Edwards (Madness, Blockheads, Yoko Ono) • Screening of Kiss My Blood, including a Q&A with director Tim Pope • Screening of Doghouse, including an introduction by director Nick Abrahams • Screenings of Coffee & Cigarettes (Jim Jarmusch), Cry Baby (John Waters) and Dead Man (Jim Jarmusch) • Influential record sleeve designer Vaughan Oliver and journalist Sophie Heawood discuss the aesthetics and symbolism Iggy Pop’s album covers • Iggyoke (Iggy Pop karaoke) hosted by New York singer Lisa Ronson and Rod Melvin (Brian Eno/Ian Dury) on the piano • Late-night DJs in the bar including Pete Jervis, Toby Amies and Nick Hutchings

For the complete Iggyfest programme, please see the ICA’s website: www.ica.org.uk

Iggyfest will be the sixth in a series of festivals held at the ICA concentrating on the work of a specific musical artist. It follows the success of Bowiefest and Princefest in 2012, and Smithsfest, MickRonsonfest and Blondiefest earlier in 2013.

Iggyfest is curated by Tom Wilcox, Associate Curator ICA. Special thanks to Iggy Pop for his contribution to Iggyfest.

Press information: For further press information, images and interview requests, please contact: Naomi Crowther | Press Officer ICA | [email protected] | 020 7766 1407

Listings information: Iggyfest at the ICA Friday 22 November to Saturday 23 November 2013 www.ica.org.uk | Twitter @icalondon | www.facebook.com/icalondon Book online www.ica.org.uk Call Box Office 020 7930 3647 Textphone 020 7839 0737 Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH

Editor’s Notes About the ICA:

The ICA supports radical art and culture. Through a vibrant programme of exhibitions, films, events, talks and debates, the ICA challenges perceived notions and stimulates debate, experimentation, creativity and exchange with visitors. Founded in 1946 by a group of artists including Roland Penrose, Peter Watson and Herbert Read, the ICA continues to support living artists in showing and exploring their work, often as it emerges and before others. The ICA has been at the forefront of cultural experimentation since its formation and has presented important debut solo shows by artists including Damien Hirst, Steve McQueen, Richard Prince and Luc Tuymans. More recently Pablo Bronstein, Lis Rhodes, Bjarne Melgaard and Juergen Teller have all staged key solo exhibitions, whilst a new generation of artists, including Luke Fowler, Lucky PDF, Hannah Sawtell and Factory Floor have taken part in exhibitions and residencies. The ICA was one of the first venues to present The Clash and The Smiths, as well as bands such as Throbbing Gristle. The inaugural ICA / LUX Biennial of Moving Images was launched in 2012, and the ICA Cinema continues to screen rare artists’ film, support independent releases and partner with leading film festivals. The ICA welcomes 400,000 visitors a year to its building on The Mall in the heart of London. The Director of the ICA is writer and curator Gregor Muir, author of Lucky Kunst. www.ica.org.uk

The Institute of Contemporary Arts is supported by Arts Council England