To say that the Together Festival is appropriately named is an understatement.
In its fourth year, Together is a collaborative celebration of the electronic music forces that be in Boston and beyond, but its week-long festivities barely limit the festival to one such note. What makes Together an exciting series of events — happening this year from May 12th to May 19th — is its ability to encompass a broad range of burgeoning talent, innovation, and ability within the creative industry, and weave these displays of inventive muscle into a stacked lineup of discussions, workshops, and performances across the city.
Together was created in 2009 by David Day and Michael McKay, who wanted to take a different approach to the multi-faceted music festival trend growing elsewhere at events like South by Southwest and CMJ. Alex Maniatis, the managing director, says that Together is a new spin on festival culture because it’s “not a behemoth organization.”
“It’s everything uniting to showcase the artists coming out of Boston, and having special guests perform here. Now, instead of just being rooted in music, we are looking into film, art, and technology,” says Maniatis.
In fact, part of Together’s appeal is its roots: whether the showcase is on music or another industry, the festival incorporates its hometown influence into the spotlight, right alongside national headliners. “All artists are favored the same way,” says Maniatis. “The locals are just as important as the bigger names.”
During the week of the festival, different venues around the city will become part of Together, like The Paradise in Allston, The Wilbur in the Theater District, the Museum of Science and more, which will all house a variety of names and events. By day, the city’s most reliable sources will discuss hot topics and answer questions about the music industry, from the state of Boston music to representation in the digital age.
As Together grows in a culmination of music’s cutting edge, Maniatis says they “plan to keep growing in all the right ways,” by spreading their reach and encouraging more people to engage and collaborate with one another.
The full Together Festival schedule is available on the website, where you can also purchase a festival pass for $150 that gets you access to all Together events.
Here’s a glimpse into the variety of discussions and shows, which have individual tickets available as well.
Sunday, 5/12: Flying Lotus with Thundercat & Teebs, $25 at The Paradise
Monday, 5/13: Discussion – The State of Boston Music at Together Center (328 Massachusetts Ave, Central Square); Crystal Castles, $27 at the House of Blues
Tuesday, 5/14: Q&A with Scumbag Steve at Together Center; Ableton Live 9 and Push Open House at Mmmaven (614 Massachusetts Ave)
Wednesday , 5/15: Discussion – Artist Representation in the Digital Age at Together Center; Hooray for Earth, Mean Creek, Andre Obin, $12 at The Middle East
Thursday, 5/16: !!! (Chk Chk Chk), $18 at The Sinclair
Friday, 5/17: Screening – Sneaker Museum Presents Style Wars, $9 at the Museum of Fine Arts
Saturday, 5/18: Biz Markie with Das EXF and Nice & Smooth, $25-$30 at The Wilbur
Sunday, 5/19: Dancing on the Charles Presents: Crew Love BBQ, $21 at 541 Massachusetts Ave, 21+
What Together events will you be attending this year?
