Edition 2024

Duchesse ^LB/QC — Procrastinate, debate | Jordan GCZ ^CA | Mathew Jonson ^CA

Sara Magnan ^CA/QC | CHXMERAS ^CA | Maara ^CA/QC | Bored Lord ^US | Octo Octa ^US (DJ set)

The second day opened with the current, experimental, immersive, and concrete music of musician Sara Magnan, followed by the group CHXMERAS revealing a new live set that integrates modular synthesizers with dynamic effects. Next, Maara performed her first live Trance set before giving way to the Breakbeat and Acid music of Bored Lord. Finally, the evening concluded with the 100% vinyl DJ set by Octo Octa.

BLK MTR ^PA/QC | Arc & Texture ^CA | Piezo ^IT | Marie Davidson ^CA/QC | Steffi ^NL/PT (DJ set)

James K ^US | Liftkit ^CA | ÈBONY ^CA — Union | Waajeed ^US | softcoresoft ^CA/QC | Roman Flügel ^DE (DJ set)

The ambient performance of James K presented organic soundscapes before the group Liftkit offered a dancing live set featuring analog synths. They were followed by ÈBONY, who showcased their blend of Detroit techno, Chicago house, and South African melodies, before producer Waajeed took over the turntables with his soulful beats, captivating the audience with each track. Next, Montreal artist softcoresoft presented a unique live set of acid techno with flamenco influences, before German DJ Roman Flügel delivered two hours of hypnotic electronic music in his DJ set.

[indistinct voices over PA] ^CA/QC | Piu ^CA — Evolving Echoes | CUERPOS ^CA | DJ Hermano & OJPB ^BR/QC+CA/QC — Club Merengue | Siete Catorce ^MX/US | Kode9 ^UK (DJ set)

The fifth evening began with the rhythmic soundscapes of North African traditional instruments by Montreal’s [indistinct voices over PA], followed by Canadian artist Piu presenting her latest album, Evolving Echoes, with hypnotic and contemplative compositions, paired with Indian classical singing. CUERPOS then immersed the audience in a one-hour journey through cumbia, dub, and reggae rhythms, followed by the duo DJ Hermano & OJPB, blending electronic merengue with various electronic music styles for an intoxicating performance. The evening culminated in a DJ set by British producer Kode9.

Ribambel ^CA/QC | Persuasion ^CA/QC | Flabbergast ^CA/QC | Virginia ^DE/PT (DJ set)

For the final day of the Festival, the free outdoor stage at Esplanade Tranquille offered a diverse program, starting with the duo Ribambel and their explosive fusion of jazz, synth-pop, and techno. The dub improvisation-focused live set by Persuasion was followed by the eclectic performance of the duo Flabbergast, a staple of the MUTEK universe, before closing the evening with Virginia, who delivered a DJ set of analog house and 80s-90s electro with offbeat grooves, enriched by spontaneous live vocals.

Espace SAT

Lamin Fofana ^US | Daito Manabe ^JP — Latent Body | Nosaj Thing & Jacques Greene ^US+CA/QC

The opening program of the Nocturne series brought together two world premieres as well as the return of a virtuoso to Montreal. A night filled with creative minds, whose technical mastery promised an unprecedented sonic and visual experience, began with Lamin Fofana, who immersed the audience in a universe shaped by the ethereal interaction of history and contemporary realities. In the same spirit of innovation, Japanese artist Daito Manabe took the stage and presented his audiovisual performance exploring everyday materials and phenomena, revealing a unique blend of analog and digital, real and virtual. To conclude the evening, Nosaj Thing and Jacques Greene presented their very first live set after an extensive DJ B2B tour.

Dôme

Allison Moore ^CA/QC — Mystic Vale | Lydia Yakonowsky ^CA/QC — Trajectoires interrompues et autres modèles de déséquilibre transitoire | Jules Roze & Pablo Gerraert ^FR/QC+BE/QC — Lignes de fuite | Nora Gibson ^US/QC — Tree of Life

The Société des arts technologiques selected four Quebec audiovisual works, which played in rotation in the Dome on Tuesday night.

Espace SAT

Seulement ^CA/QC — Bricolage Architecture | No Plexus ^AU/NL+NL | Jacques ^FR — Vidéochose

The next day, Nocturne 2 offered a playful evening where dynamism and creativity were the key themes. Between captivating visuals and original sounds, the performances in this program provided a stimulating experience. The evening began with multidisciplinary artist Seulement, captivating the audience with his stroboscopic audiovisual performance Bricolage Architecture. The Dutch duo No Plexus continued with a captivating live performance that blends pure and physical vocal interpretations with dense, sophisticated drum programming to create an evolving sound and visual design. The final act of the evening, Jacques, presented Vidéochose, his performance using clips from films, documentaries, and sounds captured over time, creating a soundscape where rockets, barking dogs, and babies' cries transform into instruments.

Dôme

Timothy Thomasson & Tatum Wilson ^US/QC+CA/QC — I’m Feeling Lucky

The generative audiovisual work I’m Feeling Lucky by Timothy Thomasson and Tatum Wilson was featured in rotation in the Dome, presented by the Société des arts technologiques.

Espace SAT

Technologies of Consciousness ^CA/QC — Numinous Machines | Ela Minus ^CO | Octo Octa ^US & Memory Management Unit ^CA/QC | Ciel ^CA & Charline Dally ^FR/QC

Thursday's Nocturne began with Numinous Machines by Technologies of Consciousness, presenting an audiovisual odyssey at the shadowy borders of near-death experience. Next, the spirit of electronic rebellion by Ela Minus delivered a profound performance of resistance and resilience with her meticulously assembled synthesizers. Finally, artists Octo Octa and Ciel took the stage one after the other and got many people dancing with their captivating techno and house sounds, punctuated by the sensory and cathartic visuals of Memory Management Unit during Octo Octa and Charline Dally during Ciel.

Dôme

Bénédicte ^CA/QC & Charline Dally ^FR/QC | Nick Schofield ^CA & Charline Dally ^FR/QC | Mesocosm ^CA/QC — Terra Flecta | Sinjin Hawke & Zora Jones ^CA/QC — Fractal Fantasy Surround

On the second floor, Bénédicte kicked off the evening with a live set that juxtaposed ambient soundscapes with intense glitch rhythms, demonstrating her unique ability to translate complex emotional themes into captivating experiences, with artist Charline Dally lighting up the Dome with soft colors, even during the performance of Nick Schofield, who transformed the soundscape with his innovative ‘ambient rave’ music. The trio Mesocosm then fused photogrammetric visuals and soundscapes from contaminated sites in Quebec with cinematic music, exploring future possibilities and environmental narratives. Finally, Sinjin Hawke & Zora Jones immersed the audience in their sonic and visual world called Fractal Fantasy Surround, a spatial audiovisual exploration using artificial intelligence and motion capture to create a world of liquid metal creatures and grotesque, erotic sci-fi visuals, which ultimately became a real crowd favorite.

Espace SAT

G L O W Z I C O M B O ^CA/QC — To The Mirrors of Y(our) Desires: The Introduction | Fred Everything ^CA/QC — Love, Care, Kindness & Hope & VJ Van ^CA/QC | Cobblestone Jazz ^CA & Isotone ^FR/QC | Galcher Lustwerk ^US & BunBun ^CA/QC

Nocturne 4 features a diverse array of performances, ranging from Jazz to House, in the Espace SAT. The quartet G L O W Z I C O M B O took the crowd on an audiovisual journey through unexplored territories, guided by multiple instruments and ancestral echoes. Fred Everything then presented an exclusive live performance, exploring Downtempo, Broken Beat, and Deep House with tracks from his new album. The trio Cobblestone Jazz improvised jazz with precise minimal techno rhythms, accompanied by visuals from the group Isotone. American DJ Galcher Lustwerk closed the evening with a hypnotic Deep House set.

Dôme

Tati au Miel ^CA/QC — Reverie | Korea Town Acid ^CA — Sonic Chaser & Isotone ^FR/QC | N3ZHA ^CA — Rebirth & Isotone ^FR/QC

Tati au Miel opened the evening with Reverie, a sonic and visual odyssey that condenses her eclectic ethos, blending experimental, ambient, and industrial sounds. Korea Town Acid then took the stage with Sonic Chaser, intertwining dubby, syncopated rhythms and industrial textures into a captivating narrative, enhanced by a hypnotic live digital drum performance. N3ZHA concluded the night by immersing the audience in her cultural roots through immersive soundscapes that celebrate loyalty, sacrifice, and the triumph of the spirit.

Espace SAT

Aïsha Devi + }§{ ^CH+FR/UK — Les Immortelles | Orchestroll ^CA/QC — Hyperwide Ellipsis (Do Not Fear the Melody Master Suite) & Myriam Bleau ^CA/QC | Meuko! Meuko! & NONEYE ^TW — Invisible General | aya ^UK

Nocturne 5 explores the boundaries of music and visual creation with theatrical performances. Aïsha Devi elevated the audience from the deepest realms to supernatural transcendence with her spatial soundscapes and immersive stage design by Emmanuel Biard. The Montreal duo Orchestroll captivated the audience with their dissonant ritual, merging anachronistic melodies with digital surrealism, creating a soundscape balancing compositional dissolution and slambient textures, accompanied by visuals by Myriam Bleau. Next, Invisible General by the Taiwanese duo Meuko! Meuko! and NONEYE immersed the spectators in digital ether, exploring themes of spiritual isolation and resistance through noise and percussion. In this unique atmosphere, aya channeled the transformative influence of memory and experience into her music, weaving them through visceral sound domains in a raw and immersive experience that embodies her unique narrative style.

Dôme

CLOUD BODIES ^CA/QC | Bana Haffar ^LB/SY — Ancient Futures & Myriam Boucher ^CA/QC | Mateo Murphy & Lydia Yakonowsky ^CA/QC — ARIMA | DAPASHU? ^CA/QC — Corporate Shuffle & JONAHVISION ^CA/QC

This program, alternating between dance aesthetics and cutting-edge sound performances, is a brilliant manifestation of the diversity of projects presented at MUTEK. In parallel, in the Dome, artist Allison Moore presented an innovative multidisciplinary performance titled CLOUD BODIES, exploring the body as a landscape and investigating its relationship with virtual spaces. Following this, Ancient Futures by Bana Haffar was an unprecedented electronic musical performance using modular synthesizers, desktop samplers, and pedals, accompanied by visuals from Myriam Boucher. Next, the electronic music of Mateo Murphy and the dynamic visuals of Lydia Yakonowsky synchronized for a captivating and evolving experience during their ARIMA performance. The duo DAPASHU? closed the scene by captivating the audience with their eclectic fusion of electro, including house, techno, and bass, with artist JONAHVISION translating their world of sharp synthesis, blending nostalgic and contemporary influences into a visual experience.

Espace SAT

Pole ^DE — Tempus & Myriam Boucher ^CA/QC | Kode9 ^UK — Escapology | Ayesha ^US & Myriam Boucher ^CA/QC | Liliane Chlela ^LB/QC — Anatomy of a Jerk & BunBun ^CA/QC | MUTEK Soundsystem ^{CA/QC+ES/CAT+MX+JP}

The final program of the 25th edition of MUTEK brought together artists whose technical mastery is flawless. Veterans of the scene performed alongside groundbreaking new projects, offering an amplified experience across two floors. Pole presented Tempus, a live performance encapsulating the essence of memory and time, displayed through a distinct blend of ambient, dub, and experimental jazz, accompanied by visuals from Myriam Boucher. The evening continued with the audiovisual performance Escapology by Kode9, merging asymmetrical club rhythms with precise and immersive sound designs, embodying a narrative of digital escape. Next, American artist Ayesha presented her first live performance, highlighting her innovative spirit and inviting the audience to a festive exploration of rhythm and sound. Liliane Chlela then took the stage with her performance of Anatomy of a Jerk, exploring improvisation and sound manipulation, blending frenetic synthesizer patterns with poignant melodic interludes, accompanied by visuals from BunBun. Finally, MUTEK Soundsystem, a collective of MUTEK team members from around the world, closed the festival with an eclectic set of danceable electronic inspirations.

Dôme

Cy-Ens ^CA/QC — Synapse | Andrea ^IT | Mike Shannon ^CA/DE | Salar Ansari ^IR/US

On the upper floor, the duo Cy-Ens promised a journey, highlighting the harmonious interaction between computational intelligence and human expressiveness, inviting the audience into a world where sound transcends traditional boundaries. Following this, Andrea, an Italian producer, created a sonic universe blending ambient, electronic, IDM, and 90s breakbeat, with incursions into bass and dubstep. Next, Mike Shannon captivated the audience with deep techno through a sophisticated ensemble of modular synthesis and drum machines. Finally, the influential DJ and producer from Tehran, Salar Ansari, created a dynamic blend of techno, house, and Persian rhythms to close the Dome stage.

Myriam Bleau & Nien Tzu Weng ^CA/QC+TW/QC — Second Self | .WAV Studio ^HK — Palindrome Codex | SYNSPECIES ^ES+SL — ASBU

Presented for the first time in North America, these three performances redefine the rules of technological immersion. Second Self, led by Myriam Bleau and Nien Tzu Weng, reinvented the audiovisual performance through portable, interactive LED screens. Next, Palindrome Codex by .WAV Studio (Cao Yuxi and Lau Hiu Kong) redefined the perception of time through a powerful audiovisual experience. Finally, ASBU by SYNSPECIES (Elias Merino and Tadej Droljc) created a symbolic audiovisual narrative on the genesis of the group, exploring speculative fiction, superstitions, and the harsh realities of nature.

Riccardo Giovinetto ^IT — F E M I N A | Martin Messier ^CA/QC — 1 drop 1000 years | Murcof & Simon Geilfus ^MX+BE — Twin Color

The A/Visions 2 program was the stage for scientific works where History and speculative storytelling intersect. Italian multimedia artist, composer, and physicist Riccardo Giovinetto performed F E M I N A, blending electronic compositions, polyphonic madrigals, and Renaissance imagery. Next, Martin Messier presented 1 drop 1000 years, an immersive audiovisual performance depicting the crucial and fragile role of the thermohaline circulation system. Finally, Murcof and Simon Geilfus performed Twin Color, a symbiotic performance influenced by classic science fiction soundtracks.

Malibu ^FR | Amnesia Scanner & Freeka Tet ^FI/DE+FR/US — STROBE.RIP | Zoë Mc Pherson & Alessandra Leone ^FR/DE+IT/DE — Pitch Blender | Evian Christ ^UK — Revanchist | Rhyw ^UK

Fast-paced music, immersive scenography, and striking experiences, Métropolis 1 is the unmissable event for those passionate about frenetic rhythms and bold performances. The evening began with Malibu, a French ambient artist who immersed the audience in a soundscape where personal reflections were expressed through ethereal synthesizers and atmospheric vocals. After this meditative moment, Amnesia Scanner & Freeka Tet invited the audience into a thoughtful dialogue on the nature of existence in a digitized society with their performance STROBE.RIP. The visceral and mechanical sounds of Amnesia Scanner gave way to Pitch Blender, an experimental cybernetic performance by Zoë Mc Pherson and Alessandra Leone, perfectly navigating between rave scenes and artistic installations. Next, Evian Christ delivered his performance Revanchist, marked by atmospheric layering and melodic power, drawing from a rich mosaic of influences, including iconic video game music and trance anthems from the 2000s. Finally, Rhyw offered a sonic exploration that transcended the boundaries of conventional techno.

Priori & Jek ^CA/QC+US — This But More | Factory Floor ^UK | Steffi ^NL/PT | Roman Flügel ^DE — Tracks on Delivery | Axel Boman ^SE

Club atmosphere and immersive performances were in the hands of experienced artists, many of whom are returning to the MUTEK universe. To begin, Priori introduced us to the introspective soundscapes of his latest album This But More, beautifully complemented by the mesmerizing visuals of Jek. The English group Factory Floor continued the evening with their mix of techno and post-industrial sounds. Steffi unveiled a rich exploration of textures and rhythms, drawing from her solid electro foundations, before Roman Flügel took over the MTelus sound system with his diverse and danceable sonic palette. Axel Boman closed the night with a DJ set bringing his innovative synthesis of dub, house, and techno, inspired by the 90s scene in Stockholm.