​Aluna curates new festival line-up featuring all Black artists

One half of electronic duo AlunaGeorge, Aluna, has curated an all-Black artist line-up for her May event, Noir Fever.

The festival will take place from May 27 until May 30 next year, bringing in artists from Kaytranada, TSHA, Channel Tres, Kevin Saunderson, and Jayda G for its first edition.

Partnering with Pollen Presents, Aluna’s Noir Fever will set up across multiple venues and warehouses in New Orleans in celebration of Black and LGBTQ+ artists.

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As well as its slew of musicians playing enormous warehouse parties and all-night events, the festival will also host a speaker series with keynote talks, workshops, and a marketplace for Black-owned brands.

Speaking on the new festival, Aluna said: “This unique experience of honouring dance music’s heritage and getting a taste of what’s to come will reignite a much-needed connection back to what dance music is about.

“Creating a place where people from all different communities can come together and dance their hearts out while feeling free to be themselves.”

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In June last year, Aluna penned an open letter to the dance music community and posted it on Instagram after realising that no Black woman had ever been nominated for best dance/electronic album at the Grammys.

“When I started looking at all the challenges I face being a black woman making dance I realised I wanted to do more than just create a space for myself,” she said.

The statement continued: “I want all Black people to know that the genre of dance is their heritage and they should feel included and encouraged to create under that banner by expanding the genre to be culturally and racially inclusive.”

During Mixmag's first Blackout Week, we spoke to Aluna about these same issues: "As a Black woman, I do feel like I'm a few steps behind man in my ability to uplift and bring up and mentor and all those kinds of things," she said.

"I need to somehow uplift young Black women to be producers. I don't know how to do it, it's gonna be a long time. But at the same time, it's really exciting to think about."

Get updates for Aluna’s Noir Fever here, and check out the full line-up below.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter