With the motto of Listening is the Way Forward, Le Guess Who? is widely considered to be one of the most forward-thinking festivals around. Le Guess Who? exists to promote sounds that are often overlooked, and to platform fresh perspectives on what is possible in music.
Here, artists from all over the world push the boundaries of expectations and offer an insight into the unprecedented diversity of human creativity.
Over the years, Le Guess Who? has grown into a leading international festival, known for the inspiring way in which groundbreaking music is presented. In 2023, visitors from 60 different countries travelled to Utrecht in November to attend the festival. Our mission:
Every November, Le Guess Who? takes over the entire city of Utrecht, with over 150 artists performing in pop venues, theaters, churches, clubs, warehouses, and more.
U? is the participative and freely accessible day program of Le Guess Who?, created for and with the city of Utrecht.
COSMOS is our globe-spanning initiative that amplifies local scenes from around the world through films, interviews, performances, and artist residencies.
Previous Le Guess Who? curators
2024: Arooj Aftab, Bo Ningen, Crystallmess, DARKSIDE, Hannah Elsisi, Mabe Fratti, Touching Bass
2023: Heba Kadry, Nala Sinephro, Slauson Malone 1, Stereolab
2022: Animal Collective, clipping., CURL
2021: John Dwyer, Lucrecia Dalt, Midori Takada, Matana Roberts, Phil Elverum
2019: Fatoumata Diawara, Iris van Herpen & Salvador Breed, Jenny Hval, Patrick Higgins, The Bug, Moon Duo
2018: Devendra Banhart, Shabaka Hutchings, Moor Mother
2017: Perfume Genius, James Holden, Grouper, Shabazz Palaces, Jerusalem In My Heart, Han Bennink
2016: Wilco, Savages, Julia Holter, Suuns
2015: Sunn O)))
2014: Michael Gira (Swans)
2013: Ty Segall
Documentary: 'Representing the Underrepresented'
"The Utrecht event continues to challenge its audience and expand the parameters of what a festival can be" – Resident Advisor
Photography: Juri Hiensch, Tess Janssen, Lisanne Lentink