Revealing the first curators & initial line-up
The first curators are announced for the 11th edition of Le Guess Who? 2017, each hosting a range of inspirations and befriended artists, and also performing themselves. Perfume Genius invites a.o. Bulgarian women's choir Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, Mount Eerie, Aldous Harding, Weyes Blood, and Pharmakon; ambient pioneer Grouper curates William Basinski, GAS, Keiji Haino and more; hip hop’s free spirits Shabazz Palaces host jazz icon Pharoah Sanders, OCnotes and Natasha Kmeto. As part of Han Bennink’s 75th birthday in 2017, the world’s most resourceful drummer invites a.o. the ICP Orchestra, Peter Brötzmann and Han Bennink Trio. Additionally, Basilica Soundscape host their own stage, including Jenny Hval, Protomartyr and a poetry reading by Meredith Graves (Perfect Pussy).
Together with Jerusalem In My Heart, Le Guess Who? presents a very special cast of African-American and Middle Eastern performers, including expressive jazz singer Linda Sharrock, Moor Mother, Matana Roberts, filmmaker and songwriter Alanis Obomsawin performing her 1985 album ‘Bush Lady’ for the first time (featuring music of the Native American Abenaki people), Farida & The Iraqi Maqam Ensemble, and the Lebanese Abdel Karim Shaar, the last of his generation still performing classical ‘Tarab’ repertoire for his 2nd performance outside his home country.
General festival line-up
Le Guess Who? also announces the first performers for the general festival line-up, including a spoken word performance by dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, electronic explorer James Holden with new performance ‘James Holden and The Animal Spirits’, the powerful voice of Mali’s Oumou Sangaré, Ben Frost, Libyan raï singer and pioneer of modern Arabic music Ahmed Fakroun performing with Dutch-Turkish act Altin Gün, Les Amazones d'Afrique: a collective of west African musicians campaigning for gender equality, tUnE-yArDs, Sun Kil Moon, Shabaka & The Ancestors, Liars, The Bug vs Dylan Carlson of Earth, Julie Byrne, Kelly Lee Owens, gospel trinity The Como Mamas, Zeal & Ardor, and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra performing Lili Boulanger’s 1917 composition ‘Du fond de l’abîme (De Profundis)’.
The Black Power Tarot by King Khan & Michael Eaton
Under supervision of spiritual guru Alejandro Jodorowsky, King Khan and Game of Thrones-designer Michael Eaton created ‘The Black Power Tarot’: 22 Tarot cards displaying prominent African American personalities. During Le Guess Who?, these cards will be exhibited on maximum scale.
Additionally, King Khan reads Tarot cards for festival visitors and screens ‘The Invaders’: a documentary about the rise of the Memphis Black Power Group in 1967, and the film that sparked Khan’s idea for ‘The Black Power Tarot’.
The full outline of confirmed artists can be found here.
The Biggest Record Fair in the World
During Le Guess Who?, the largest record fair in the world also takes place in Utrecht. The Mega Record & CD Fair has grown to become a true cult event for music fans, housing 500+ record dealing stands across 12.500 square meters of floor space.
Tickets & accommodation
4-Day Festival Passes for Le Guess Who? 2017 are available now for € 110,- (excluding service costs). Day tickets will be available at a later date.
The festival also offers discounts on accommodations at the StayOkay hostel, located conveniently in the city center of Utrecht, near most festival venues.
