Six days and nights full of sound and image experiences indoors and outdoors, 120 artists from around twenty countries and 80 live performances: this is the 24the Edition of the festival of digital creativity and electronic music that MUTEK offers from August 22nd to 27th. Here are 8 shows not to be missed, according to General and Artistic Director Alain Mongeau.
-Tuesday, August 22: Leon Louder and Tim Hecker
“On the outdoor stage, I propose an interesting project developed with the Montreal Insectarium. Leon Louder will present the result of this work where we find the sounds of insects. I also want to talk about the opening event, as the festival takes over an iconic Montreal venue that’s been in existence for more than 175 years, the New City Gas, with Tim Hecker, an artist of international caliber. Rather, it is listening to music, an immersive endeavor. We go there to enjoy the experience.”
At 6:30 p.m. at the Quiet Esplanade. Free and at 10:20 p.m. at New City Gaz, $45
-Wednesday, August 23: Open Reel Ensemble
“Japanese open reel ensemble trio: Seeing is believing! They improvise with old tapes and even create new instruments. It’s very playful and they have a retro and timeless side at the same time.
At 11:55 p.m. on the SAT, $45
Courtesy of MUTEK Festival
-Thursday, August 24: Paraadisio
“The Paraadisio Project: These are artists – an Italian duo – making music that is reasonably accessible, with a holistic relationship between sound and image. There comes a time when you no longer really know what follows between sound and image. That is a very timely proposal.”
At SAT from 10 p.m. $45
-Friday, August 25: Alessandro Cortini and SYNC
“A very rich evening! At the Place des Arts, I propose Alessandro Cortini, a permanent member of Nine Inch Snails and who has a great solo career. It’s very cinematic and thoughtful. On MTELUS, SYNC present two veterans of the techno scene in a three-hour live set.
At Place des Arts at 7pm $45 and at MTELUS from 11pm $55
Courtesy of MUTEK Festival
-Saturday, August 26: Eris Drew
“Eris Drew will be on MTELUS with her danceable house music. It’s quite a household name in the club music scene. For MUTEK she offers a live set with visuals. It’s very accessible and very catchy. She is also part of the trans, non-binary and queer scene.
MTELUS $55 after 11pm
Courtesy of MUTEK Festival
Sunday 27 August: Pascale project
“I suggest visiting Pascale Project, a Montreal artist who will be presenting her debut live performance for MUTEK. He is the first booked this year. She comes out with this first live performance. You can’t miss that.”
On SAT, after 10 p.m., $45
Courtesy of MUTEK Festival
-Complete program, schedule, passes and individual tickets for MUTEK festival: https://montreal.mutek.org/en/welcome