Full Of Lava was previously known as Saint Ghetto: After 15 years, we decided it was time for a new name for the festival. But its soul and sound have stayed the same.
Saint Ghetto (2008-2022)
Saint Ghetto festival first took place in 2008 as a one-off event, honouring music from Paris and Switzerland. The three-day event and the name really struck a chord with music enthusiasts, and the programme group at the time decided to bring Saint Ghetto back the following year, with an international line-up this time. Since then, a whole host of musical legends, cult figures, emerging artists and outsiders have taken to the stage at Dampfzentrale during one long weekend in November.
Kae Tempest | Coby Sey | Marina Herlop | Divide and Dissolve | Loraine James | Angel Bat Dawid feat. JJJJJerome Ellis | Jenny Hval | Ka Baird | Kìzis | Phelimuncasi | Slumberland feat. Sainkho Namtchylak | Belia Winnewisser | Junge Eko | Inga Huld Hákonardóttir & Yann Leguay | Bully Fae Collins | «Piano Burning» by Annea Lockwood | Valentina Magaletti | aya | L’Rain | Smerz | Light Years feat. Caterina Barbieri, Bendik Giske, Lyra Pramuk, Nkisi & MFO | Lost Girls | Aïsha Devi | Maria w Horn | Lafawndah | Omni Selassi | Jerskin Fendrix | IOKOI | Vanishing Twin | TR/ST | Ghostpoet | Test Dept | Eartheater | Shackleton presents Tunes Of Negation | Kyoka | Jungstötter | Merz | Current 93 | DAF | Anna von Hausswolff | Circuit Des Yeux | Jenny Hval | Lolina | John Bence | Algiers | Hermann Nitsch | Dorian Wood | The Residents | Edward Ka-Spel & The Silverman | Zola Jesus | Gazelle Twin | Buriers | Mick Harris presents Fret | The Bug vs. Dylan Carlson | Ventil | Dillon & Choir | Mykki Blanco | Raime | Marie Davidson | Richard Dawson | group A | Baby Dee | Neneh Cherry & Rocketnumbernine| Bianca Casady & The C.i.A. | Bohren & Der Club Of Gore | Olöf Arnalds | The Space Lady | Wrangler | The Necks | Mohammad | Ben Frost | Triptykon | Dean Blunt | Wildbirds & Peacedrums | Atom™ | Laetitia Sadier | Sudden Infant | Anika solo | Laibach | Sparks | OM | Palais Schaumburg | Merz feat. Sartorius Drum Ensemble | Lubomyr Melnyk | Sensational meets Koyxen | Uz Jsme Doma | Tuxedomoon | Rhys Chatham’s Bern Project | The Legendary Pink Dots | Esplendor Geometrico | Hildur Guðnadóttir | David Maranja & Z’ev | Sven Kacirek | Marc Almond | Anika | Hauschka | Esben And The Witch | Carla Bozulich | Ja Panik | Natalie Beridze | Dave Phillips | The Fall | Charlemagne Palestine | Bobby Conn | Steven Stapleton | Qa’a | Lydia Lunch’s Big Sexy Noise | Die Goldene Zitronen | Ghédalia Tazartès | Little Annie | Cobra Killer | André Duracell | Philippe Petit & James Johnston | Brigitte Fontaine | Pierre Henry | Hermine
But where did the name «Saint Ghetto» come from?
The legendary bohemian Parisian neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a testament to post-war European avant-garde – situated on the left bank of the River Seine, this quarter was a melting pot for the most daring and radical artistic movements of the age. It is also where the underground principle took root, with all its rich tapestry of music, drugs, dance, painting, film and politics.
The acronym Saint Ghetto is derived from «Saint-Ghetto des prêts», a term coined by the Lettrist artist Gabriel Pomerand to satirically portray the revered artistic and intellectual quarter of Saint-Germain-des-Prés as a realm burdened by petty bourgeois financial interests. The multifaceted allusions embedded within the festival name Saint Ghetto resonated with everyone involved and ensured its enduring impact on the alternative musical scene in Bern over the past 15 years.
So, why did we decide it was time for a new name?
Very few people know the origin of the festival name «Saint Ghetto». Dampfzentrale never placed its origination at the heart of its communication strategy, instead focusing on cultivating a brand that has earned a remarkable reputation well beyond regional and national borders throughout the years. Nevertheless: Both words have somewhat dubious connotations. It was time for a change.