Moogfest moving to Durham in 2016

The festival will be using many of the Bull City's downtown venues and public spaces for free and ticketed events.

"Our vision is to complement and support Durham’s momentum as a capital of technology, culture and entertainment," Emmy Parker, brand director at Moog Music, said during the announcement at American Tobacco Campus' Power Plant. "Stakeholders from throughout the Triangle are helping us shape the festival so that it reflects the incredible research and creativity of the region, and serves as an international destination for innovators all over the world."

Moogfest began in New York City in 2004 as a tribute to Moog Music founder and inventor of the analog synthesizer, Dr. Robert Moog. The electronic music festival ran there through 2008, before moving to Asheville in 2010.

After 2012's festival, Asheville's partnership with event promoter AC Entertainment ended. There wasn't a Moogfest in 2013. Instead, the Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Summit was held. Moogfest returned to Asheville in April 2014. Later that year, Moogfest announced it would continue as a biannual event.

Notable headliners throughout the years have included The Flaming Lips, Primus, Massive Attack, Moby and TV on the Radio.

Over the years, the festival evolved to includes a conference for creative and technology professionals. Last year, Moogfest worked with Google Creative Lab, MIT Media Lab, EYEO and the New Museum on innovative concepts for its daytime programs.

The festival plans to bring similar partnerships to Durham in 2016.

“Durham is a city known for ambitious entrepreneurs and influential artists,” Durham Mayor Bill Bell, said. “Moogfest fits very well in the Bull City.”

A local organizing committee, including American Tobacco Historic District, Duke University, the Durham Chamber of Commerce, Research Triangle Park and the American Underground, have been working closely with Moogfest, Bell said.

Moogfest already has partnerships with Durham businesses and organizations such as the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, the Art of Cool Festival, Durham Hip Hop Summit, the American Underground, Startup Factory and Windsor Circle.

The Startup Factory's Big Top Job Fair is slated to take place as part of Moogfest 2016.