Wata Igarashi is right at the very peak of contemporary techno. Few artists evoke the same respect, head nods and outright appreciation when their names are mentioned. The talent that is Wata has been brewing for over ten years is now a certified force since moving from his native Tokyo to Amsterdam, a move that has broadened his audiences, environments, skills and musical range.

Adept at destroying a 200 person nightclub as much as he is a festival stage, Wata’s cerebral approach possesses unmatched levels of psychedelic punk sensibility, while machine funk, raw intensity and science fiction overtones keep the dance floor locked and lost in total hypnosis.

Strange Signals hosted Wata’s debut in 2018, a warehouse party of note that set the scene for his return in 2019, again at Mode Festival, then a club tour and secret appearance riverside closing set at cult favourite Realm Ripparia in 2024.

Since then, Wata has played festivals as wide ranging as Japan’s Labyrinth to Spain’s Parallel, Netherlands’ Dekmantel and clubs from Berghain to Chicago’s smart bar to Tokyo staples Womb and Vent, to mega-raves in Colombia and South America and beyond.

He continues to self-release records on his own WIP label, as well as more prominently on the renowned Kompact (Agartha, a soundtrack to an imaginary sci-fi) film, label Midgar, as well his first techno LP “My Supernova” forthcoming on Dekmantel.

It’s been 6 years since we last had Wata play for us. Third time around he’s bringing the goods to Sydney in an epic 4 hour set. Be prepared.

S.Tonkin

For years at Strange Signals HQ we’ve wanted Sarah to play for us, and she was the first person to come to mind when this party was conceived.

Part of the legendary Construct crew, Sarah has been deep in the Sydney underground over the last 10 years, either behind the decks, or putting on parties of note (including one absolute belter with Strange Signals, Dunj and Innerspace in 2023, hosting Nobu and Haruka).

These days, Sarah’s sets seem a littler rarer and less frequent, which probably explains why her music hits so hard when she does play. With an ability to weave together the best bits of ambient, bass, techno and fucked up shit, she will be opening the room for Wata-san.

We last heard her opening the room for Belgian hero Phara, a warm up, you could call it, but more than that, it was a set to properly dance to, pure heat from start to finish, If she plays anything like this, and the past few times we’ve heard her out, you’ll want to get down early for doors. Miss it at your peril!

Strange Signals presents Wata Igarashi (JP)

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