Linus Åkesson, better known in the demoscene as LFT, brings his unique flair to the stage with an unforgettable 8-bit music performance at Wood Chip Fest in Denmark. This charming, small-scale festival is a celebration of chip tunes, retro hardware, and inventive musicianship—and Linus fits right in.
In Part 1 of his five-part performance series, Linus introduces his self-built instrument: the C=TAR. It’s a modified Commodore 64, rigged with extra electronics and expressive controls. The layout mimics a chromatic button accordion, allowing Linus to blend technical mastery with musical intuition. Despite a few glitches—“maybe it’s a feature,” he jokes—the instrument shines. A vibrato rod gives the C=TAR some personality, even if it misbehaves a little on stage.
Complementing the C=TAR is a second Commodore 64 that supplies pre-programmed accompaniment. Linus rounds it all out with a classic guitar echo pedal, injecting just enough reverb to add depth without overshadowing the 8-bit magic. The result? A performance that feels as much like a hardware jam session as it does a concert.
Linus keeps his talking to a minimum, letting the music—and the machines—speak for themselves. And while this is only the first installment, he promises more videos soon as editing continues. For now, fans of 8-bit music performance can enjoy a captivating glimpse into the musical mind of one of the demoscene’s most creative talents.
