Episode
Ep. 106: Algorave
- Podcast
- Silent Generation
- Published
- Jun 1, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3406
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://silentgeneration.podbean.com/e/ep-106-algorave/
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Summary
“Algorave” is a portmanteau of “algorithm” and “rave” that describes an electronic music event where people watch live coding performances. The term was originally coined by Alex McLean, a musician and software developer who created the live coding environment TidalCycles and its offshoot Strudel, the most popular tools used by live coders. Despite spreading internationally in the early 2010s, Algorave and live coding have remained relatively unknown. On this week’s episode of Silent Generation, Nathan and Sebastien try to answer the question of why Algorave has not become more popular. The two begin by highlighting the contributions of Brian Eno and Alex McLean before examining the work of the first Algorave musician to experience mainstream success: DJ_Dave. They reflect on her recent performance in Chicago and argue that she has appealed to a wider audience by incorporating pop music fundamentals. They then discuss the music of Switch Angel, a regular DJ_Dave collaborator who recently started a record label for live code music called Polymaters. The episode concludes with an examination of how Algorave is a vestige of the “social computing” ethos of the 1960s. Links: Nathan's Algorave Playlist Algorave Generation Run the code: is algorave the future of dance music? - The Guardian Run the code: is algorave the future of dance music? by Imani Amrani Algoraves: Dancing to Live Coding by Rob Marvin Musical Genes: Sisters DJ_Dave and Maddy Davis Premiere "Can't Do This Alone" Remix DJ_Dave @ Elsewhere If code can make music, what will you make? | Sarah Davis | TEDxCornell Pop Live Coding Encounters: Reflections on Practice by Sarah Davis (DJ_Dave), Jack Armitage (Lil Data), and Gus Lobban (Kero Kero Bonito) Pop Live Coding Encounters: Reflections on Practice (Podcast) Li…