WELCOME TO THE LEM 2002

We live in this world. We live in a single world, if filled with worlds which are full of fragments of this world. Each fragment may be considered as a reflection of the world's wholeness.

As the team organising LEM festival feels equally at home on speaking about musical styles, genres and their mutations or about variations and innovations in the field of cookery, we have chosen weather-forecasting as the metaphore for the forthcoming 2002 festival. Therefore, we will refer to meteors, weather's moods, atmospheric conditions... to just bear in mind that the true richness of climate lies in its variability, its contrasts and the unpredictability with which we are faced. And instead of moaning about the weather not being as we expected it to be on a particular morning, we rather enjoy it: be it rain or sun, wind or fog, heat or cold, we'll study the hundred different types of rain, notice the cardinal point from which the wind blows, dive into calm seas and watch the very same seas from a reasonable distance when they break roughly on the shore.

Just as varied as the climate are the various musical proposals, which in turn require an equal amount of attitudes in order to enjoy them as frames of mind we go into when facing the weather that accompanies our lives.

Sixth edition of the international LEM festival: music as real and diverse as the weather; non-conditioning music which are to be enjoyed without acclimatizing them. The most advanced sonic creations from all over this rich and varied planet: raw at times, occasionally incisive, enveloping in other instances and, in other cases, luminous, dark, unexpected or intimate -every bit as the weather. Like this year's image, the traditional Catalonian barometer, LEM warns in its sixth edition about the sonic storms, calm, rains, winds and temperatures. Sixth stage of a project which started its course in 1996. Thus, we'll be around for two months with the best that the experience from previous years has left us: a magnificent main venue in the Gracia District Headquarters' Hall. Three sub-venues: Caixaforum, where the festival's opening will take place featuring three mighty multimedia projects which also imply the re-establishment of the collaboration with La Caixa Foundation's Mediatheque; CAT, usual LEM collaborator which this year will host some very singular proposals as well as new rock formats which, as the word goes, are changing rock; and l'Espai, where bigger gigs as well as the customary closing concert by Barcelona's Municipal Band will be held. This is, so far, the official section. The off section, taking place in the bars of the borough and nurturing the festival with unexpected moments, surprises and discoveries, progressively gaining weight and meaning, consolidated itself as a displaying platform for the work of new creators, youth projects with a need to come across and resulting from an open internet summoning launched earlier on this year. Also, the resident artist/band for 2003 will emerge from this section. Lastly, by way of strategic closing acts, the DJ sessions -conveniently renamed audio menus- will bring some particularly intense nights to an end.

In order to spare you going out with raincoat, umbrella, shades, cream, snowshoes, swimming suits/trunks and scarf all in the one day, the programme you are holding features the forecasting of the 47 weather-sonic spells that will take place during these two months.
The organizers of this sixth international map of sonic arts would like to thank the artists, hosting venues, professionals -supporting the festival worldwide-, audience -yearly showing their loyalty- and institutions -from this extraordinary borough and special city- for the support, trust and unmistakable feedback bestowed upon us which confirms the significance of this event that we have the privilege to cause to happen every year. We would also like to thank all those who have intensely participated in the shaping of this festival, unique in the whole world, with their wisdom, effort and selflessness along its already long existence.

To all of you, welcome to LEM 2002.
Gràcia Territori Sonor