The COVID-19 crisis has forced musicians across the globe to seek creative alternatives to live gigs. Experimental music trendsetters 100 gecs have upped the ante with a free virtual music festival called Square Garden, to be held within the blocky, pixelated dreamscapes of popular sandbox game Minecraft, ahead of the release of their eagerly anticipated remix album ‘100 gecs & The Tree of Clues’.
This isn’t without precedent for the duo, who actually made their live debut at 2019’s Mine Gala, a conceptually similar event where DJs and artists live-streamed music whilst fans attended as their avatars, moshing in a Minecraft server instead of a concert hall. This virtual gig comes as a huge relief for Aussie 100 gecs fans, as their 2020 tour down under was cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Headlining alongside pop icon and frequent collaborator Charli XCX, 100 gecs have served up a deliciously stacked lineup – featuring a wild array of artists such as Kero Kero Bonito, Benny Blanco, Cashmere Cat, A.G. Cook, and Tommy Cash. We can expect a cavalcade of extremely online beats, fresh remixes and hot B2Bs.
Not only is Square Garden a fun and creative way to deal with the challenges of Corona lockdown, 100 gecs are giving back by holding it in support of Feeding America, a highly-regarded charity that runs hundreds of food banks and feeds millions across the United States. If you’re interested in fighting hunger in Australia during the COVID-19 crisis, head to Food Bank.
Tune in to Square Garden via 100gecs.com on the 24th of April. No need for a Minecraft account. Peep the full lineup below: