Night Outings with MUTEK

MUTEK’s reputation is firmly established. True to form, this 17th edition offers a carefully selected lineup of international artists and a program at the crossroads of performance, electronic music and video. MUTEK has chosen the Musée d’art contemporain (MAC) as the epicentre of the digital tremor that will shake Montréal from June 1 to 5. The program includes five so-called Nocturne evenings, where dozens of artists from more than twenty countries will present audiovisual performances drawing on virtual reality, techno, experimental music, light games and the myriad sensitive and sensual possibilities offered by digital tools. On the music side, the program seems balanced between noisy and immersive electroacoustic numbers, edgier techno and performances in which genres meet. Welcome to the world of hybrid ambient, hard-house and fuzz no-wave, to name only a few. Photo credit: Nocturne #2 – June 2. From the outset,

to be especially rich,

with artists firmly rooted in experimental electronics. To hear: the fusion of the musical worlds of the Fousek / Hansen / Tellier-Craig trio, the ultra-sensitive music of Tim Hecker, one of the festival headliners, and Kara-Lis Coverdale, described by a writer for the respected British newspaper The Guardian as his undisputed favourite discovery of the festival.

Nocturne #3 – June

3. The next day, after a ten-year absence from MUTEK, French artist Colleen returns, known for her homemade blend of folk-electro and classical music. With the excellent Captain of None (2015), she offered a tightly woven fabric of voice recordings, instruments and loops layered live. She is certainly one

of the festival’s must-see

artists. Nocturne #4 – June 4. The program’s lineup contains several juicy pieces. Those who like to move can loosen up to the techno shades offered by Powell and Galcher Lustwerk, while the more adventurous will be tempted by the electroacoustic quartet Quadr, a very well-developed exploration of the sound potential of four bicycle wheels. The duo Political Ritual will also perform live with a musical performance. Synth agglomerations, drone, noise and catharsis

are all on

the menu. Sensitive ears, protect yourselves! In all cases, think about bringing earplugs. Beyond its reputation as an essential festival of digital artistic creativity in Montréal, MUTEK is also known for not pulling its punches when it plays things loud. For lovers of rumbling bass, this is the place to be. MUTEK’s nocturnal program isavailable here.