Bjork Digital and Aphex Twin Headline Immersive Music and Visual Arts Experience Day for Night

Jordan Bailey

As one of the last big festivals of the year, Houston’s second annual Day for Night brings together a dizzying lineup of reunions, obscure singer-songwriters and DJs with specialties in jazz, rap and tropical house. It’s another sign that in recent years this metropolis has turned its focus toward the arts. From Dec. 17 to 18, Day for Night will transform the now defunct Barbara Jordan Post Office in downtown Houston into a multi-sensory landscape of light and sound.

As a crossover festival, the event has drawn the attention of some real heavy-hitters in the music and visual arts world. Trailblazing experimental producer Aphex Twin will take the stage for the first time in eight years, an artist who’s notoriously difficult to book. Another elusive headliner is Bjork who will perform “live digital set” Bjork Digital comprised of five rooms with various visual artworks such as a 360-degree virtual reality of an expansive beach in her home country of Iceland. Texas’ own punk legends Butthole Surfers will reunite for the first time in five years performing hits from the “Electriclarryland” album. Continuing with the eclecticism on the bill are tropical-house group Odesza, EDM star Kaskade, rappers Travis Scott, Run the Jewels and RZA, indie acts Little Dragon and Blood Orange. Representing jazz will be LA natives Kamasi Washington and Thundercat. Other notables include Banks, Chet Faker (DJ set), Unknown Mortal Orchestra, The Jesus and Mary Chain and director and composer John Carpenter. As previously mentioned, visual artists will be represented just as prominently as the music. Topping the bill are United Visual Artists out of London, Golan Levin, Nonotak, Shoplifter, Tundra and Bjork Digital.  

Since Day for Night-goers likely won’t want to spend their time in one of Houston’s generic corporate hotels, here are some other options. Hotel Derek is fashionable, artistic and contemporary. Those looking for a more classical approach to their hotel experience may want to check out The Lancaster, the city’s oldest continuously operating hotel, or Hotel Zaza, offering modern amenities such as a pool and spa.

Day for Night festival organizer Omar Afra notes the city will be packed with unusual and eccentric offerings: “It’s going to be batshit crazy.”

Day for Night takes place Dec. 17-18 in Houston, TX. Tickets are available here.