METROPOLIS: International Ones to Watch

Four Tet
Four Tet’s live sets are two things, really. Journeys of sonic discovery first and foremost, as the man known to his mother as Kieran Hebden flits between jazz, hip-hop, ragga, electronica and more. Secondly, they’re an opportunity to worship at the Ableton altar of one of dance music’s greatest modern pioneers. If you’ve been to a Four Tet gig before, you’ll know his fanbase treat his performances with near-reverence – the esteem in which he’s held can’t be stressed enough. It’s also totally well-deserved. Since he first pitched up in the late 20th century, he’s been a forward-thinking producer consistently conjuring up his own sublime sounds and adept at digging up hidden wonders as well. He recently co-DJed with Skrillex in London and, by all accounts, the American dubstep kingpin struggled to keep up with his skills on the decks. Meanwhile, this summer’s Morning/Evening was a subtle, beautiful addition to his discography.
Hot Chip
There ain’t no party like a Hot Chip party, so expect fireworks when the quintet roll into the RDS. Perennial festival favourites since shooting into the big time with 2006’s The Warning, they stand as one of the few dance acts who can traverse recording and live performance with aplomb.This year’s Why Make Sense?, their sixth studio effort, underlined the London outfit’s reputation as purveyors of some of the smartest, sharpest and slickest pop music around, but there are far more strings to their bow when it comes to their stage show. While their studio output is never afraid to combine lyrical insight with compositional complexity, in front of the crowd they don’t shy away from working up a serious sweat. Swapping instruments and kicking out jams, with classics like ‘Over And Over’ and ‘Ready For The Floor’ sitting alongside recent standouts ‘Huarache Lights’ and ‘Cry For You’, we defy you not to bust a move or three.
Jeff Mills
There’s a good reason why, even after retiring the nickname a few years back, techno fans will still refer to Jeff Mills as The Wizard. One of the most acclaimed DJs and producers on the planet, his Underground Resistance collective – founded with ‘Mad’ Mike Banks – is recognised as one of the most important in the Detroit techno movement, while his personal contribution is hailed as being among the greatest bodies of work any mixmaster has turned out. From the seminal ‘Casa’ to his earth-shattering Live At The Liquid Rooms, nobody who dares call themselves a dance fan can be without a selection of his cuts. Of course, the true test for the techno god isn’t the back catalogue so much as the live offering; on that front, you won’t be disappointed. Always looking ahead and eager to embrace technological advances – while staying true to his sonic roots – the legendary Michigan man will bring a bone-shuddering slice of gargantuan grooves to D4. Prepare to be blown away.
Vince Staples
In what has been a sterling year for hip-hop – a comeback from Dr. Dre, a groundbreaking effort from Kendrick Lamar and a stunning opening gambit from Joey Bada$$ – there’s still little doubt that Vince Staples’ Summertime 06 is deserving of a spot near the top of 2015’s finest rap releases. A startling narrative of life in inner-city Long Beach, the underbelly of sun-kissed California is examined through dark-as-night stories of life as a teenage gang member. Throughout, Staples’ keen eye and deft lyricism are to the fore. Comparisons with his old mucker Earl Sweatshirt are not without merit, but there’s a greater immediacy to this man’s offerings, an in-your-face style that is as much report as refrain. The power and precision of the record transfer perfectly to the stage, with the 22-year- old winning rave reviews with performances as nuanced as they are unabashed. Miss what should be a memorable Irish debut at your peril.
Todd Terje
There was a full decade-long gap between Todd Terje’s debut single release and the arrival of his first long-player, 2014’s knowingly-titled It’s Album Time, but boy was it worth the wait. From his expansive reimagining of Robert Palmer’s ‘Johnny & Mary’ with Bryan Ferry crooning away suavely, to monster 2012 dance hit ‘Inspector Norse’, we’re still spinning it in HP Towers over a year later. Live, the summer saw him rock up at Glastonbury as a well-received lead-in to the funk workout that George Clinton’s Mothership provided, and show off the depth and delights of his back catalogue at Longitude. His return visit to Dublin should go down a treat – the Scandinavian knows how to raise the temperature in the winter months.