Symposium Records presents: An Evening with Midland

Join the Department of Modern Culture and Media for An Evening with Midland, a deep listening session of London-based DJ/producer’s 2024 debut album Fragments of Us, which Rolling Stone described as “a record that is an ode to the club, but intended to be listened to on the bus home from it.” Cruising the terrain of British and American gay subcultures, Fragments of Us merges ambient-electro grooves with an intergenerational history of queer dance floors, merged with testimonies of loss and hope in the aftermath of the AIDS crisis, featuring the voices of queer artists like David Wojnarowicz, Marlon Riggs and Arthur Russell. 

Through his productions, DJ sets and record labels, Midland's output comes across as unassuming and surprising in equal measure, at once subtle, refined and totally raucous. As a Producer, Midland’s style has nimbly evolved from one record to the next. He has remixed, amongst others, Dua Lipa, The Chemical Brothers, St Vincent and Darkstar. He helped with production on Jessie Wares “Save A Kiss” alongside James Ford. 

It is arguable, however, that he has made his biggest impact with the other side of his craft: DJing. Delivering his kaleidoscopic taste with a mixing technique that nods as much to his British lineage as it does to a smoother European style, he has distinguished himself with an ability to switch styles in a way that always feels totally natural. From Montreux Jazz Festival to Sonar, via regular slots at Offenbachs’ “Robert Johnson”, Glastonbury’s “NYC Downlow”, London’s “Fabric” and “Horse Meat Disco” to his sold out “10 Hours at Islington Assembly Hall” shows, he is able to play in a way that shows a deep understanding of the space and what is needed to bring it alive. In the words of Resident Advisor, “there’s a perfect record for every moment, and he usually has it”. 

In October 2024, Midland released his debut album Fragments of Us, featuring the voices of artists like David Wojnarowicz, Marlon Riggs and Arthur Russell. Dazed magazine described the record as “the concept album of the year” and it featured in the best albums of the year in Resident Advisor, Mixmag and DJ Mag respectively. 

The event will feature Midland in conversation with MCM Assistant Professor madison moore. 

Hosted at Symposium Books on April 28 at 6pm. RSVP is required.

Sponsored by Malcolm S. Forbes Center for Culture and Media Studies