That's Folke Rabe up there. An important figure for those even remotely interested in all that drone, experimental tonal weirdness that some of you youngsters listen to. His 1968 piece 'What??' is a seminal piece of electronic music. Hardly a recognisable figure but he seems to have the likes of Jim O'Rourke frothing at the mouth. And you couldn't really call it a prolific discography, but feel the quality, not the quantity.

Here's more from the O'Rourke: "For me, one of the most mysterious composers was Folke Rabe. I had gotten his “Was??” and was from that moment, hooked. I can honestly say there is probably no piece of music I have heard more in my life than this one. Those 20+ minutes were all that existed for me. Fittingly, those minutes became eternal."

So I guess now you have some background information and I'm sure some will try to find the recordings on the p2p networks (don't bother), failing that you'll try to seek out the recently (2006) released 'Argh!' CD on Kning Disk (worth it for the inlay photo's alone). The next logical step would be to try to see him perform live.

Well it's like waiting for buses, you wait forever and then two performances come at once! As part of No-Signal's ambitious Swedish Outsiders mini festival here in London on the 17th - 18th May. Saturday sees everything kick off at the ICA, whilst Sunday sees the action relocate closer to the 'kids' in Dalston's Cafe OTO. Rabe plays the early afternoon session on his tod, but is joined in the evening by the likes of Mats Gustaffson, Evan Parker and (the excellent) Tape. I'll be DJ'ing AIFF files off my Macbook in the cafe bit.

Sunday's stint has Hans Appelqvist, Phil Durrant and Henrik Rylander, who impressed me the last time I saw him play at Sonar. The whole thing reeks of quality (unlike Sweden's most famous furniture brand) and quite frankly you'd be a bit mental to miss it....unless you don't actually live in London.

Full information and tickets available from http://no-signal.net/SEoutsiders