by InTrieste
The British producers and DJs Daddy G, a founding member of Massive Attack, and Andy Smith, formerly of Portishead, will perform at the opening ceremony of GO! 2025, the European Capital of Culture program for Nova Gorica and Gorizia. The event, titled From Station to Station, will take place on February 8, culminating in an open-air DJ set in Piazza Transalpina, a symbolic square at the border of Italy and Slovenia.
The electronic music event is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m., with entry opening at 8 p.m. The performance will feature a mix of dub, reggae, soul, funk, deep house, dubstep, and breakbeat, with attendance capped at 4,000 people. Admission is free and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The performance is set to conclude a full day of programming that highlights the cultural and artistic unity of Nova Gorica and Gorizia, which are jointly hosting GO! 2025. Events throughout the day will include institutional ceremonies, live performances, and interactive experiences designed to showcase the cross-border nature of this year’s Capital of Culture.
A Legacy in Electronic Music
Grant Marshall, known as Daddy G, was a key figure in the development of trip-hop, a genre that emerged from Bristol in the early 1990s. As a co-founder of the Wild Bunch Sound System, he helped shape what would become Massive Attack, one of the most influential electronic music groups of the past three decades.
Alongside Robert “3D” Del Naja, Marshall remains one of the last two original members of Massive Attack. In addition to his work with the band, he has built a career as an internationally recognized DJ, performing at major venues and festivals. In 2004, he contributed a mix to the prestigious DJ-Kicks series, blending artists such as Tricky, Aretha Franklin, and Les Négresses Vertes. His sets, often incorporating elements of hip-hop, dub, techno, and house, are known for their immersive and dynamic quality.
Andy Smith, a longtime collaborator with Portishead, has similarly built a reputation for his eclectic approach to DJing. His sets incorporate a broad range of influences, from early house and northern soul to funk, disco, and ska. His 1998 album, The Document, became a commercial success, selling more than 100,000 copies and featuring tracks from Tom Jones, Peggy Lee, and the Jungle Brothers.
Following its success, Smith released The Document 2 and 3, along with a series of compilations exploring reggae, R&B, and soul. His recent releases include Jam Up & Twist, issued for Record Store Day. He continues to perform internationally, bringing an extensive knowledge of vinyl culture and dance music history to his sets.
A Borderless Celebration
GO! 2025 marks a rare cross-border European Capital of Culture, uniting Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy)under a single designation. The yearlong program will feature events emphasizing collaboration between the two cities, which were historically divided by geopolitical shifts in the 20th century but have grown increasingly interconnected in recent years.
The February 8 concert is organized by PromoTurismoFVG in collaboration with Zenit srl. More details can be found at www.go2025.eu.
