ctrl LIVE: Elf Traps [UK]

A collision of live drums, synths, beat-driven electronica, and spiritual jazz - that’s Elf Traps, the daring new venture from Rob Turner (Mammal Hands, former–GoGo Penguin) and Liviu Gheorghe (former–Matthew Halsall / Gondwana), coming to Control Saturday, February 21.

Emerging from Manchester’s underground scene, Elf Traps channels Squarepusher’s rhythmic chaos, Four Tet and Floating Points’ textural electronics, and Pharoah Sanders’ spiritual openness - creating music that’s raw, vibrant and rich with emotional depth.

After years of global tours and a Mercury Prize nomination, both musicians wanted a reset. They began meeting for loose, improvised sessions, letting instinct take the lead. The result is Elf Traps: a boundary-free fusion of acoustic drums, synths and live electronics, shaped by spontaneity rather than structure.

On stage, live drums and synths are intertwined with drum machines, laptops, samplers, chopped vocal fragments and custom robotic percussion - creating a hypnotic exchange of rhythm, texture and improvisation. The music twists and evolves in real time, moving from meditative ambient passages to explosive, adrenaline-charged rhythmic peaks.  No two performances are ever the same.

Elf Traps - Metrognome

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* Children ages 7 and under have free access with a parent holding a valid ticket. Protective headphones are recommended.

** Children up to 16 years old need a valid ticket and must be accompanied by a parent with a valid ticket.

*** Minors aged 16 to 18 years old have access with a valid ticket.

**** Serving and alcohol consumption are strictly forbidden for all minors.