Italian instrumental trio Zu are a virtuosic force of chaos, blending math rock, no wave, punk, jazz, and grindcore into a sonic explosion. This atypical trio of drums, electric bass, baritone saxophone have garnered a back catalogue of collaborators that would peak anyone’s interests such as Mike Patton, Mats Gustafsson, Alvin Curran and the Stooges’ saxophonist Steve MacKay. Now, they bring their unique brand of alternative music to this year’s festival. As John Zorn put it, they create “a powerful and expressive music that totally blows away what most bands do these days”- exactly what we seek in our Supersonic lineup.
Zu is a truly unique entity. Formed in Ostia, near Rome, in 1997, the band has released over 15 albums and played countless shows across the globe, earning a dedicated cult following along the way. Known for their genre-defying, boundary-blurring sound, Zu has crafted a distinct musical language that is entirely their own. Drawing from metal, noise, prog, electronic music, ambient, industrial, and contemporary music, they transform and reshape these elements into a form that is unlike anything else. Zu first graced the Supersonic stage in 2009 and returned in 2017, and we’re thrilled to welcome them back once again.
“Given the ability to absorb and incorporate an exhilarating variety of musical styles into their material, it is not surprising that Zu often sounds like a hundred bands in one although the way they piece together their wild sonic jigsaw is unique to them alone.” – Pitchfork
