The 16th annual instalment of Supersonic Festival returns to Birmingham this year bringing with it a typically eclectic and progressive line up. Supersonic’s commitment to platforming fiercely creative artists from across the spectrum is reinstated afresh year-on-year and 2018’s showcase offers yet another explosion of innovative and cleverly curated music, art and cutting edge events. Last year’s festival boasted experimental hard-hitters, Colin Stetson, Anne Von Hausswolff, Melt Banana and Princess Nokia and this year offers a similarly choice selection of offbeat talent with performances from Gazelle Twin, FAKA, The Ex and more. Gazelle Twin will be offering up their driving industrial techno sound, FAKA their electro-pop exploration of race, gender and sexuality, and The Ex their free punk explosions and persistent, hypnotic, rhythms. The Ex will also be bringing their riotous noise to this years’ kids performance, Big Sounds for Little People, at mac Birmingham on June 23rd, which aims to introduce young children to experimental music. Start ’em young people. Besides the music, artist in residence Dennis McNett will be showcase a brand-new commission – his first major UK project. Pulling from Norse mythology, traditional wood carving and 80s punk and skateboard culture on a large scale basis. Typically leftfield offshoot events whetting the appetite before the big festival weekend include a screening of Here To Be Heard: The Story of The Slits at the mac mid April, a new live collaboration between US saxophonist Matana Roberts and UK flautist Kelly Jayne Jones at Centrala on 18th May. Be there.

Fri 22 Jun to Sun 24 Jun at various venues, see www.supersonicfestival.com