Search: La Bruja de Texcoco
Premiering Sun Ra Arkestra's LGW17 recordings, spanning decades of the Sun Ra legacy
With their cosmic jazz celebration, Sun Ra Arkestra was one of the closing acts of Le Guess Who? 2017. We're pleased to now bring you the full recording of this show, spanning decades of the Sun Ra le...
Film: La Double Vie de Véronique
La Double Vie de Véronique is a story of two women that go by the same name and share the same hopes and dreams, even though the one lives in Poland and the other in France. Unaware of the exis...
Ô Vallée de la Vallée
An intimate portrait of the circumstances surrounding the creation of Jerusalem In My Heart’s live recording of “Wa Ta’atalat Loughat Al Kalam” (The language of speech has brok...
Julián Mayorga
Colombian artist Julián Mayorga reminds us how freeing it can be to not take ourselves too seriously. Upon graduating from a Masters degree in electroacoustics and algorithmic composition in Ma...
La Saramuya
La Saramuya is a picó born from an immersion in Colombia’s Caribbean culture. Created by its owner, Stefanos Donikian (aka Stivako), and built with the guidance of local experts, every co...
Vive la Void
As Vive la Void, Sanae Yamada emerges from Moon Duo’s copious fuzz-drenched blast-offs like a floating space capsule. Inspired by the constant going and froing of tour life, Yamada’s glass...
DE BRUJAS Y FANTASMAS by Kianí del Valle with Ziúr
Dancer and performer Kianí del Valle brings us the performance DE BRUJAS Y FANTASMAS, scored by experimental composer Ziúr. The captivating piece (whose title translates to Of Witches an...
Watch: Eli Keszler performs new album ‘Stadium’ live
Having dismantled the idea of a drum's sound for over a decade, New York-based composer Eli Keszler released his ninth solo album ‘Stadium’ on 2 October via Shelter Press. The inspiration for the album came from his recent move from Brooklyn to Manhattan and reflects the feeling of disorientation in overwhelmingly overcrowded...
Important info: wristband pick-up at Le Guess Who? 2018
Upon arrival at the festival, you will need to exchange your ticket for a festival wristband to ensure entrance to the festival venues. Please note: You can only do this at our ticket desk in TivoliVredenburg (Vredenburgkade 11, right next to Utrecht central station), not at other venues. Please note that you can only coll...
Pep Navigates
‘Pep Navigates’ is a short film accompanying the reissue of Valencian ambient composer Pep Llopis’ 1987 record ‘Poiemusia La Nau Dels Argonautes’. The album of minimalism...
Retro Cassetta
A musical hunter-gatherer, Badreddine Haouat, AKA Retro Cassetta, has spent years digging through crates in the lookout for North African music gems. His gargantuan cassette collection forms a musical...
Lido Pimienta
Thrilling experimental pop artist Lido Pimienta spent the past few years studying European classical music to embark on a new ambitious journey. Shifting far from her previous electro pop sound, she r...
Yann Gourdon
As a hurdy-gurdy player, composer and sound artist, Yann Gourdon focuses on the various ways acoustic instruments work together with landscapes, objects and man-made structures. Simultaneously, he lea...
The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda performed by the Sai Anantam Ashram Singers
Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda’s devotion to spirituality defined the final decades of her life. In 1983, she established the 48-acre Sai Anantam Ashram outside of LA, where she quietly began...
Read: The Quietus on Lili Boulanger's "towering" ‘Du Fond De L'Abîme’
Lili Boulanger (1893) is a unique and prodigious case studies in music history, taking up singing, organ, piano, violin, cello and harp at the premature age of five. Boulanger died at the age of...
Le Guess Who? Café: zondag 28 oktober in Lou Oudenoord / Karibu
Op zondag 28 oktober, twee weken voordat Le Guess Who? losbarst in Utrecht, stelt het festivalteam je persoonlijk het programma voor. De oprichters en organisatoren nemen je aan de hand mee door het p...
Mark IJzerman & Sébastien Robert present As Above, So Below
Dutch media artist Mark IJzerman and French sound designer Sébastien Robert team up to present ‘As Above, So Below’, an exploration of the changing landscape of La Araucanía...
Oiseaux-Tempête share video for new single 'He Is Afraid And So Am I'
Oiseaux-Tempête will release their new album 'From Somewhere Invisible' on 18 October: a collaboration with former Le Guess Who? artists Radwan Ghazi Moumneh (Jerusalem In My Heart, also LGW17 curator) and Jessica Moss (Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band), as well as G.W. Sok (King Champion Sounds, for...
Wristband pick-up and other important information about your visit to Le Guess Who? 2022
From 10-13 November, we'll celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Le Guess Who? We hope you have a wonderful time in Utrecht and are excited to celebrate together with you. But first, there are a couple of things we'd like to draw your attention to. Please read the information below carefully before visiting the festival. Download your ticke...
Alan Sparhawk (of Low)
Alan Sparhawk is entering uncharted territory. In 2022, long-time musical partner vocalist and drummer Mimi Parker, with whom Sparhawk founded the mythical slowcare band Low three decades ago, passed...
Rest in Peace to Brazilian icon João Donato
Incredibly devastating news: Brazilian icon and legendary musician João Donato has unexpectedly passed away on Monday in Rio de Janeiro. João Donato was scheduled to perform twice at Le Guess Who? 2023, to honor his life and career and celebrate his 90th birthday at the festival. Donato has been a massively influenti...
COSMOS Embassy Film: Montréal, Canada
POP Montréal International Music Festival is an annual not-for-profit curated cultural event that champions independence in the arts by presenting emerging and celebrated artistic talents from a...
Kelman Duran
Leave it to Dominican-American booth wizard Kelman Duran to surprise listeners at every turn. The LA artist, musician, visual artist, filmmaker, and academic’s electronic abstractions derive fro...
Listen: Edna Martinez Presents Picó: Sound System Culture From The Colombian Caribbean
Hand-painted sound systems, often adorned with dazzling colours and striking imagery, each with its own name and sonic identity: for decades, the Picó mobile discos have become the heart of neighbourhood bailes on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The sounds of genres like champeta, highlife, soukous, mbaqanga, zouk, soca, and cumb...
Listen: Gibrana Cervantes - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
London-based Mexican violinist, composer, and improviser Gibrana Cervantes performed live at Le Guess Who? 2024, as part of the program curated by Mabe Fratti. You can listen to the full performance below, featuring two unreleased tracks: ‘Blur of Memories’ and ‘Verdad vs. Error’, as well as ‘Moving Through...
Germán Bringas
Mexican improvisational artist, composer, producer, and performer Germán Bringas arrives at Le Guess Who? bearing a fascination with velocity - of attention, synesthesia, and consciousness over...
Nayi Lokura
Nayi Lokura, also known as La Crespa del Perreo, is a live performer who has carved out her space in the underground picó world of the Colombian Caribbean, traditionally dominated by men. Drawi...
Open Ateliers, Exhibitions & Live Painting
De Nijverheid is a cultural freeport full of artists from all kinds of disciplines. Over fifty artists call this their second home, making De Nijverheid an artistic hub that sparks new creativity, une...
Le Guess Who? participates in TIMES: The Independent Movement for Electronic Scenes
TIMES (The Independent Movement for Electronic Scenes) is a cooperative project that brings together different European festivals to create original performances that combine music and visual arts. As well as shared programming of artists and the project's original creations, TIMES aims to support, promote, and improve diversity and susta...
Nijveraars
De Nijverheid is a cultural haven in Utrecht’s Werkspoorkwartier district, with artists’ studios and creative workspaces for more than 50 autonomous artists, designers and creatives.Het Kl...
Hof van Cartesius Side Program
The Hof van Cartesius is a unique circular work spot for more than 100 makers and entrepreneurs. It is also an incubator for new talent, a hub for experiment and a meeting space for the local communit...
Le Guess Who? Education-exhibition
In the run up to the festival, about 170 students of three secondary schools in Utrecht have created artworks inspired by artists of the 2023 line up, commissioned by Le Guess Who? and BAK. The studen...
De Witte Kunst
De Witte Kunst is a Dutch musical ensemble consisting of multi-instrumentalist Lyckle de Jong and songwriter and singer Koen van Bommel. In their songs they dream about a better world, resulting in a...
Opening Celebration: IYKYK
If you know, you know. Digital natives, hyper divers, self-educated and tuned all the way in. This exhibition gives insight into the thriving and divers world of subcultures and scenes of Utrecht...
De Klappermobiel
New at Museum Speelkok, a museum that houses a phenomenal, unique collection of self-playing musical instruments, is the freely accessible art space, where talented artists can exhibit their music and...
Lik De Kikker
Born during a Christmas Night mushroom trip, Lik de Kikker (Lick the Frog) set out to create an awe-inspiring noise band. With two frogs in control, they craft harsh tek and noise using various gear....
Listen to 'Dark Out' from upcoming Chromesthesia compilation album
On Friday, 8 November 2024, the compilation album Chromesthesia: the Colour of Sound Vol. 1 is set to be released. Brainchild of British-Egyptian historian Hannah Elsisi (NYU AD, Cambridge), Chromesthesia—aptly named "the colour of sound"— tracks afro-diasporic rhythms from the Whole Mangrove World. Following the collaborati...
Read: Tender hearts in tough (Aussie) harnesses
Hard in style, soft in core. For Luna van der Laan (Looney Lunatic) and Carlos Kok (Boot 122), their passion for noisy, fast music stems from a broad artistic (self-)schooling, high levels of passion for music and, above all, an open mind. With a DIY-mentality, a grounded aversion of the establishment and a substance-over-style-approach,...
Spoken Word by Asmae Amaddaou
Asmae Amaddaou shares her keen yet velvety soft observations and experiences from her book ‘De wereld is van ons’. For the book, the 20-year-old Gouda-based, Moroccan-born writer drew from...
Niger's Etran de L'Aïr share new single 'Toubouk Ine Chihoussay'
Hailing from the town of Agadez, which is known as “the gateway to the desert”, Etran de L’Aïr capture the pulse of everyday life at weddings, baptisms, political events, outdoor soirees alike. In 2020, The New Yorker's Amanda Petrusich picked the group's 'No. 1' as her favorite album of t...
Watch: Vrije Geluiden sessions at Le Guess Who? 2024
VPRO Vrije Geluiden once again teamed up with Le Guess Who? the festival to capture several intimate sessions with festival artists - recorded at restaurant De Klub, just opposite of TivoliVredenburg. All sessions are now available to watch below. Eli Keszler NY-based artist, composer, and percussionist Eli Keszler has garnered...
Twan Bracco Gartner
On the quays at De Nijverheid you will find the annually renewed open-air art exhibition KunstKoers. Prick up your ears as you wander along the art works, so you won’t miss out on composer and s...
Wanderwelle & Floor van het Nederend
Wanderwelle & Floor van het Nederend present their debut graphic novel ‘De Duizendpoot’ (The Millipede). The Wanderwelle duo is known for their electro-acoustic compositions and more....
Brewpub De Kromme Haring: LGW Yuzu Pale Ale
Brewpub De Kromme Haring is the house brewer of Le Guess Who?. Visit the brewpub and see where the festival beer is made, drink a pint of the LGW Yuzu Pale Ale or try YAYA's non-alcoholic Kombucha. Th...
Listen to Art Ensemble of Chicago's full performance at LGW18, curated by Moor Mother
In the mid-1960s, Art Ensemble of Chicago sprung from the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). Moving far beyond jazz, avant-garde and performance art, the ensemble has created a realm that is entirely original. On the opening night of Le Guess Who? 2018, and on the eve of the Art Ensemble of Chicago’s 50t...
Le Guess Who? 2018 Press Archive
The Netherlands 3FM: Eva Koreman nieuwe presentator 3voor12 radio 3FM: Le Guess Who? 2018: Ralph-Herman snapt niet wat Colin Stetson doet3FM: Timo op Le Guess Who: van gevoelige liedjes in een kerk tot stoned rappers3voor12: Kijk terug: James Holden & The Animal Spirits op Le Guess Who? 3voor12: Festivals willen dat je een kaart...
Public art: Opening Walk
The tour if full. You can sign up for the waiting list via this form.Le Guess Who? and Triomf invited nine artists to present their work in the public space of Utrecht during Le Guess Who? 2021....
Stories of Lombok (Buurttour)
Through the Buurt tour, you will explore the neighborhood Lombok and discover some favorite spots of De Voorkamers’ community members. They will match Dutch speaking with non-Dutch speaking part...
Wisselspoor Expo
In the shed of the Ping Pong Club, the former factory for ‘Werktuigen en Spoormaterieel’ - tools and railway equipment, is the home for the annual Wisselspoor Photo Competition. This year'...
Celestial Spaces: Moonwatch
Moonwatch plays layered dream indie pop, merging spellbinding melodies with reverb-drenched textures to convey the moods of the night sky. The members of the five-headed band from Utrecht joined force...
Ongehoorde Geluiden
‘Ongehoorde geluiden’ hands the mic to people who courageously, and sometimes barely, brave daily life in the city of Utrecht. They’ve been homeless for some time and make little or...
Cass McCombs performs 2 new tracks for La Blogothèque's Take Away Show, captured during LGW18
Hailed as one of the greatest songwriter of his time, California-based artist Cass McCombs performed twice at Le Guess Who?, leading up to the release of his new album 'Tip of the Sphere' (out February 8th via ANTI- Records). Right after his second show (on the Sunday of the festival, as part of our Collaboratorium in Kytopia), McCombs he...
De Voorkamer Mini
Discover what De Voorkamer is all about: come along and take part in all kinds of creative 'mini' activities. These activities will give you a good impression of everything that takes place at De Voor...
Salsa de Hoy
The sun always shines with Salsa de Hoy. The uplifting salsa music played by this 11-piece band is like a little electric fire. Feel free to dance, but don’t feel obliged to do anything. Just br...
Freaky Dancing: Robin Nimanong - Bodyscan 223
A Misfit Cyberpunk Act. Bodyscan 223 is a media-dance-event that focuses on our conflicting ideas of technology, accesibility and queer-identity. Robin Nimanong presents his queer body as a witness to...
LGW? Student Exhibition: Celebrate
At De Havenloods you’ll be able to visit an art exhibition made for the Le Guess Who? Education Program. The exhibition features work made by five classes from three high schools from Utrecht: X...
Niño de Elche
Niño de Elche’s music is part brain, part heart. The Spanish musician, who is also called a ‘singer, poet and omnipresent master of ensorcelling souls’ has been challenging co...
Freddy Locks
Portuguese singer and songwriter Freddy Locks is deeply passionate about Roots Reggae. His journey began in Lisbon's punk-rock scene, later transforming through encounters with positive reality and re...
Watch Alan Sparhawk debut new songs at Le Guess Who? 2023
Last November, Alan Sparhawk returned to Europe to play some select solo shows, the first being a performance at Le Guess Who?. Three decades ago, Sparhawk co-founded the band Low alongside vocalist and drummer Mimi Parker, who sadly passed away in late 2022. Their music derived elemental power from its fearless exploration of quiet, ge...
Khorshid Dadbeh
Alternately playing the tar, the tanbour, and the setar, Iranian musician Khorshid Dadbeh is seasoned far beyond her years. She began her musical journey early, having grown up in an artistic family a...
Khorshid Dadbeh
Alternately playing the tar, the tanbour, and the setar, Iranian musician Khorshid Dadbeh is seasoned far beyond her years. She began her musical journey early, having grown up in an artistic family a...
Storytellers of De Voorkamer
On Saturday, November 11th, we will be listening to the stories presented by the participants of De Voorkamer's Storytelling Master Class. Together with Soula Notos, these women have practiced their c...
It's Never Too Late To Have a Happy Childhood
De Stadsjutters welcomes you to their adult playground, a realm of creativity and wildness. Dive into a day of art and music, exploring childhood trauma through imagination, catharsis, and celebration...
Quadraphonic Listening Sessions
Danny van der Lugt and Victor Bontje team up to host a quadraphonic listening session. Normally they push the boundaries of spatial sound and acoustics to create music without compromise and to explor...
Beatrice Sberna + Gabriel de Oliveira
Improvisation and songwriting entangle through a plurality of voices, languages, strings, and unidentifiable noises. Songs of all forms sprout. Sberna's vocals shine and blaze fiercely in a dark warmt...
Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra & Arion de Munck present 'Hadra Immersive' at LGW24
During the opening night of Le Guess Who? 2024, Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra & multidisciplinary artist Arion de Munck (Ombak-Lab) present Hadra Immersive, an experience in which Water, Harmony and Light play a central role. The climax of Hadra is not just a musical peak; it is a moment of collective transcendence, in which those pr...
Mirusi Mergina
Enter the enigmatic realms of Mirusi Mergina, where unpredictability, darkness, and eclecticism converge to create a mesmerizing musical journey. At the core of her compositions lies a deep fascinatio...
Rave voor de Rafelranden
Rave voor de Rafelranden organizes festive demonstrations to fight for more free spaces and non commercial culture in Utrecht. They highlight the importance of places that are created and shaped by a...
Migrantour
Go on a 2-hour meaningful walking Migrantour through the Lombok district of Utrecht. The tour is co-created and taught by Migrantourguides with a first or second migration background. With the Mi...
Dabke workshop by Amer
At De Voorkamer you can learn the Syrian folk dance Dabke. Amer, who is the perfect person to present it to you, will be the teacher. He is a health and food enthusiast, a body builder whose message i...
Cirkel om de Haard
Cirkel om de Haard is an initiative started by Avan Omar, Ali Authman and a group of Kurdish musicians – most of whom live in Overvecht. At this concert Ali Authman plays the violin and the viol...
Marijke van Warmerdam: Then, now, and then
Dutch artist Marijke van Warmerdam spent an extended time in Rome from 2017. During this period she recorded the city in her typical way, resulting in a series of films in which the present, the past...
No Man's Land x U?: De Meesterproef
In honor of 900 years of Utrecht, the moment the city was born, No Man’s Land and U? are organizing a one-off musical trip through time. Leonard Luka, GINGE (ft. .Multibeat) and STACH x TANO are...
Revealing the full program for U? 2023
(scroll naar beneden voor de Nederlandse tekst) U?, the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?, returns to Utrecht on 11 and 12 November 2023 for its third edition. This program is created for, but especially with Utrecht, to celebrate the city's creativity in all its diversity. Utrecht has an enormous variety of community cent...
Doctor Operator
Doctor Operator is a young project of Utrecht’s Robbert de Jong. Probably best known for his illustrations for a.o. the labels of de Kromme Haring. He now ventures into the world of modular synt...
Sterk Spoor x Corner Shop
Bouldering is a fiery and spectacular form of climbing. A boulder is a clump of rock, and bouldering literally means climbing a rock. Since there are no rocks in the Netherlands, we climb walls with a...
Phantom Wizard
Nature, afrofuturism, jazz, and hip-hop have come together to form Phantom Wizard’s ethereal work. The artist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist of Surinamese descent was born and raised in th...
Phantom Wizard
Nature, afrofuturism, jazz, and hip-hop have come together to form Phantom Wizard’s ethereal work. The artist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist of Surinamese descent was born and raised in th...
LGW initiates 'Donate a Ticket' concept for 2024 festival
(Nederlandse versie hieronder) As part of Le Guess Who? 2024, we are once again initiating the 'Donate a Ticket' concept. This initiative gives festival visitors the opportunity to purchase an extra day ticket for people who are also interested in visiting the festival, but do not have the financial resources themselves to do so. Visito...
Join Le Feast: home-chefs in Utrecht transform their living room into a brunch restaurant
Le Feast invites you into a living room in Utrecht, to enjoy a feast together with people you don't know (yet). Would you like to join as a home-chef or guest? You can now sign up!Le Feast nodigt je uit in een huiskamer in Utrecht om samen met mensen die je (nog) niet kent te genieten van een feestmaal. Lijkt het je leuk om deel te nemen...
Raderkraft
Dive into darkness and discover the pulsating sounds of Amsterdam based Raderkraft - a masterful fusion of minimal synth, darkwave and Nederwave with post-punk elements. Raderkraft was born from his l...
Nusantara Beat
Amsterdam-based six-piece Nusantara Beat has quickly amassed a cult following, largely due to their exciting new take on Indonesian tradition. By infusing the sounds of traditional Indonesian songs fr...
EIGEN RISICO shares new single 'en mil piezas me partí'
Eigen Risico is the project from the multidisciplinary artist Héctor Garcia Martin also known as Hache. Initially formed as a collective where live art performance and music melted into an intense live show, Héctor now decided to go solo. He now shares his new single en mil piezas me partí. How to rebuild yourself af...
Kunst Kijken Met Je Oren met Honingbeer
Come and see artworks made by Utrecht-based artists from the Kunstuitleen Utrecht collection and listen to the music Honingbeer made inspired by these works. What happens when you look at art while li...
Photo series: Mabe Fratti's curation at LGW24 by Melanie Marsman
Two years after her stunning Le Guess Who? performance, the Guatemalan-born, Mexico-based vocalist and cellist Mabe Fratti returned in 2024 as a performer as well as festival curator. As part of her curation, Mabe Fratti presented some very special Mexican and South American acts that have influenced her personal development. Our residen...
De Ambassade
When De Ambassade first began dropping music unannounced, the Dutch scene noticed and proceeded to ask for more; and so, there came more cold and distant synth-wave tracks, whose reverb wrapping made...
Petersburg
Petersburg is one of the most mysterious and unique indie bands in the Netherlands. The band, formerly known as Petersburg Orderer and consisting of Camiel Muiser, Erik van de Paardt, Boris de Klerk (...
Listen to Red Bull Radio's Fireside Chat with JPEGMAFIA, recorded at LGW18
The third installment of Red Bull Radio Fireside Chats recorded at Le Guess Who? 2018 (following Lydia Lunch and Swamp Dogg) is a conversation with breakout rapper and adventurous producer JPEGMAFIA: a talk about Baltimore, Tokyo, Dipset and his agitated live show. "He was born in New York before relocating to Alabama, where he enrolled...
LGW continues collaboration with Dutch Council for Refugees for 'Grant an Entry'
(Nederlandse versie hieronder) For the upcoming festival edition, Le Guess Who? will continue its collaboration with the Dutch Council for Refugees. Just like last year, the festival supports the initiative ‘Grant an Entry’. The initiative gives festival visitors the opportunity to purchase an extra day ticket for refugees re...
Watch: Yves Jarvis shares self-directed video for '360'
With his new album 'The Same But By Different Means', Montreal-based musician, producer, and composer Yves Jarvis is included in the 2019 Polaris Music Prize Long List. Consisting of a collection of suspenseful, gauzy post-R&B vignettes, Yves Jarvis is known for his auteur approach to music making, c...
Le Guess Who? presents 'The Big Playback', a podcast about all things music; first episode out now
Le Guess Who? presents ‘The Big Playback’, a conversational, in-depth podcast about all things music. In ‘The Big Playback’, host Margaret Munchheimer talks to musicians, scholars, record label owners, and music managers and delves into different topics exploring individual and collective musical experiences. You c...
Freaky Dancing: Curling (DJ)
While Utrecht-based artist Curling often takes to the stage as a singer in various metal, punk, and noise rock bands, in his DJ-sets he takes a completely different approach. His experimental mix of b...
Mechanical Massage Chair by Edwin Schulte
The mechanical massage chair that Edwin Schulte made especially for an exhibition at the EXbunker, looks like an instrument of torture. Volunteer to take a seat in this chair made of recycled material...
Heavyspitters: Ido Hoogendoorn
Innovative hip hop artist Ido Hoogendoorn is working hard to become a pioneer in the next rap generation. His style is intense, intriguing, melancholic and sometimes on the dark side. His lyrics...
Bertie Marshall releases new compilation 'Exhibit' featuring songs, spoken word, and poetry from the 80s & 90s
In the early 1980s, Bertie Marshall was the frontman for post-punk boundary-pushers Behaviour Red, a group that fed off sound experimentation, tribal drumming, searing vocals, and guitar feedback. In 1983, the group broke up, but Bertie continued sketching out atmospheric compositions, leading to his solo debut in the 1990s. Here, Bertie'...
Bellydance performance by Zaahirah
Zaahirah began her studies of Oriental dance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After that she moved to Portugal, Spain and is now based in the Netherlands where she teaches bellydance and performs at differe...
Freaky Dancing: puurvuur (DJ)
puurvuur is a DJ and producer from Utrecht, who plays and makes beats that sit in the cracks between bass music, hiphop, and club. Selections span from breaks to uncategorizable productions around 140...
Freaky Dancing: Onegg (live)
The Utrecht based Onegg is a synthesizer collective led by twins Ewa and Marysia Saras, with band member Mariette Huls by their side. The band produces hauntological, synth based electronica. Melody a...
Nospray: Whip
Whip is the combination of Ben Kalb (Pizza Knife) and Bob Mollema (Fluisteraars). They don't know what kind of music they make; it's genreless but explores all the areas they find relentlessly inspiri...
Nospray: Kalaallit Nunaat
Kalaallit Nunaat, founded in 2018 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, combine their love for noise, post-punk, shoegaze and krautrock into a hypnotizing wall of sound. With music best enjoyed in a cold and...
Straight / Wandering
Straight / Wandering is a sound installation specially created by composer, sound artist, live performer and sound engineer Renato Fiorito, and architect and Post-Doc researcher Chiara Mazzarella, for...
Dance with Ping Pong
Finish off your U? journey with Ping Pong Club's all-day Sunday event. Visit one of Utrecht's last bars in the iconic train maintenance buildings around the city. They will have some of their local se...
Het Grote Gebeuren: FULCO
FULCO serenades everyday madness. The Ghent-based Dutchman performs with BeraadGeslagen, STADT and De Beren Gieren, but when he’s not doing that, he is always writing songs in Dutch. Musicality...
Watch + listen: Le Guess Who? Recordings
Visit our recordings section for lots of exclusive audio & video recordings of Le Guess Who? performances. Featuring a.o. Neneh Cherry, Mount Eerie, Sun Ra Arkestra, James Holden, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Protomartyr, Selda Bağcan, Alanis Obomsawin, Junun feat. Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood and the Rajasthan Express, The Notwist,...
Wristband pick-up + other important info for your visit to Le Guess Who? 2024
Le Guess Who? 2024 is approaching, and we're looking forward to welcome you to Utrecht for our 17th festival edition. We can't wait to share an amazing wealth of sounds with you again, but first, there are some important details we'd like to share with you. Please take a moment to review the following information before your visit...
Le Guess Who? starts pilot with Low Income Day Tickets
In 2024, Le Guess Who? starts a pilot with Low Income Day Tickets, specifically for those who otherwise would not be able to attend the festival. This initiative arises from the fact that we hear that the ticket price is one of the biggest barriers for people to visit the festival. We want to give people - who would like to visit the fes...
Annemiek Schravesande
Annemiek Schravesande crafts transient art from sugar. Her candy paintings, meant to be licked, embody impermanence. This approach showcases the duality of innocence and adulthood, inviting adults to...
Chebedajha
Operating in the vicinity of intense states of anxiety and pleasure, discomfort and relief, the experimental sound of Chebedajha challenges perception and sensitivity to become part of the collective...
Nomono’s Ambient Hang-out // Hosted by Too many birds
Too many birds exists on the precipice of music and nature. Music writer Ruben van Dijk (Front, OOR, et al.) is drawn to sounds that renegotiate our relationship to the world around us and blur the li...
Rats and Daggers
A powertrio in search of the razor-sharp edge between heavy and punk. Rats and Daggers focuses the intention of IDLES, the schwung of QOTSA and the fuck-it-all attitude of Amyl and The Sniffers into f...
Salon De Nijverheid
Artists of Salon De Nijverheid invite everyone into their artist-run and self-built exhibition space The Tunnel and Hoek, part of the Art Café. Here, they present an extensive group exhibition...
Los Wembler's de Iquitos
Like a magic spell, the psychedelic groove of Peruvian legends Los Wembler’s de Iquitos pulses deeper than ever. Creators of the Amazonian cumbia, this group has been among the pioneers of psych...
Assiko Golden Band de Grand Yoff
Vital and exciting, the music of Assiko Golden Band de Grand Yoff is rooted in a very specific community, Dakar’s nightlife scene, but speaks to the world. For twenty years and across three gene...
Lili Boulanger - 'Du fond de l’abîme' performed by Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Lili Boulanger (1893) is a unique and prodigious case studies in music history, taking up singing, organ, piano, violin, cello and harp at the premature age of five. In 1913, she became the first woma...
De Line Up
In collaboration with Centraal Museum The Colombian ambient producer Lucrecia Dalt composed a commissioned piece for the exhibition De Line Up, which displays a rich overview of the power of drawing...
Revealing new projects & program additions for Le Guess Who? 2018
In addition to the previously announced initial line-up and curators, we now reveals a range of special projects and performers for the festival: Future Feminism; 15 years of RVNG Intl.; ONCEIM; and t...
Kleine Crack & Slagter
Kleine Crack is the only Belgian artist signed to Burning Fik. The cult-rapper and his producer-teammate Slagter create ominous hip-hop, set to heavy beats. In their hometown ANNA (Antwerp) they are s...
Boxing Matches by Jimmy’s Gym (2021)
This event will hit you just as hard in the face as the rest of our program. No, you don’t have to step into the ring yourself, but you will be able to marvel at several intense boxing-matches a...
Mabe Fratti featuring Shards - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
As part of her curation at Le Guess Who? 2024, experimental cellist and vocalist Mabe Fratti performed live at the festival together with London-based vocal group Shards. Watch the concert film of the performance, featuring the tracks Kravitz, No Se Ve Desde Acá and Desde el Cielo: With her hypnotic pieces, Mabe Fratti comb...
Freaky Dancing: Joshka (DJ)
Even without her other half Minka — who she met during EKKO’s DJ course over their shared love for fast and quirky electronic music — Joshka takes you on a rave journey past dynamic...
Revealing 46 program additions for Le Guess Who? 2021
It is true that making plans for shows and festivals in 2021 is a bit of a gamble. But Le Guess Who? believes that it’s important to have something to look forward to. In the spirit of cautious optimism, we are proud to announce the second round of confirmations for November 11-14 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Le Guess Who?’s...
Storyscope by Lybrich Wieringa
The Storyscope is a mobile installation that merges classical shadow puppetry with modern technology. The imagination comes to life using projections and animated images. Follow illustrator Lydrich Wi...
Soundtrack Presentation by Lucas Kloosterboer
Lucas Kloosterboer plays the trombone, is a drummer and text performer, and has a degree in Dutch language. Others have described him as a 'freejazz-faun', 'iconoclast', 'slightly down in the mouth',...
Freaky Dancing: Staatseinde (live)
Staatseinde is a Dutch EBM-synth duo from Utrecht. Their music, which they describe as 'Neue Niederländische Welle', became more and more electronic over the years. In 2010 their Dutch song &lsqu...
Tiny Room Records: Delwood
At times fragile, at others outrageously explosive, Delwood takes listeners on a cinematic voyage where organic and electronic components merge. Undoubtedly, their music will remind you of Tortoise, D...
Tiny Room Records: Thistle Sifter
An instrumental post-rock project by English musician Pete Barnes. Having toyed with the idea of writing atmospheric instrumental music for a while, Barnes was left bedridden following a serious cycli...
Argentinian "giant of musique concrète" Beatriz Ferreyra, curated by Lucrecia Dalt for LGW21, releases new album 'Canto+'
Beatriz Ferreyra is an 84-year-old composer and sound artist from Argentina, currently living in Hameau de Hodeng, France. Recently dubbed a "giant of musique concrète" by Pitchfork, Ferreyra has now released her new album 'Canto+' via Room40, the follow-up to last year's 'Echos+'. The album collects five pieces...
CTA Playlist
Le Guess Who? takes pace across 20 locations in the city center of Utrecht; ranging from churches and galleries to theaters and pop venues. Most are within walking distance from each other. Here are a couple highlighted.
Ambient Listening Sessions X U? presents: Kaðlín Ólafsdóttir
Kaðlín is a composer based in The Hague, whose work reflects on deterioration by drawing parallels between the imperfections of memory and technology. She creates ethereal soundscapes by co...
Listen to Zwangere Guy perform 'Beter Leven', 'Wie is Guy?', and 'RAF (Rien à Foutre)' at LGW21
With his unshakeable conviction, found all over his rhymes and delivery, Zwangere Guy quickly became considered ‘the boss of Brussels rap’. In his live shows, his boastful, insolent and exciting personality always shines bright. Zwangere Guy performed live at TivoliVredenburg's Ronda during Le Guess Who? 2021 on the nig...
Heavyspitters: Breakdance by UC Crew
The breakdance and hip hop group Utrecht Connaisseurs Crew (UC Crew) was founded in early 2018. That same year, they won the first prize at the National Breakdance League. The crew consists of dancers...
Photo series: Trailblazing artists of LGW23 by Melanie Marsman & Juri Hiensch
For 16 years and counting, Le Guess Who? has strived to create a space for generations of music lovers and makers to come together. A podium where icons of their trade not just pass the baton to those that carve out a new path – but where they engage on eye-level. In 2023, Le Guess Who? once again boasted an array of young artists...
Watch: Nihiloxica live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Nihiloxica exploded out of Kampala in 2017 with their groundbreaking fusion of Bugandan drumming and UK bass. The band explores the darkest depths between two separate cultures of dance music, uniting abrasive club electronics with raucous percussive energy. At Le Guess Who? 2023, the group presented their late latest album 'Source of De...
LGW24 curator Mabe Fratti releases new album 'Sentir Que No Sabes'
Avant-garde cellist and vocalist Mabe Fratti returns to Le Guess Who? in 2024 as guest curator and performer. Now, she releases her new album Sentir Que No Sabes: a brave album, rich in both sonic inventiveness as emotional depth. At Le Guess Who?, Mabe Fratti will perform the music from the album accompanied by the London-based vocal gro...
Concert film: Slauson Malone 1 live at Le Guess Who?
Festival curator Slauson Malone 1 performed live at Le Guess Who? 2023 following the release of his latest album EXCELSIOR via Warp Records. On stage, he is joined by cellist Nicky Wetherell. Relive the performance with our concert film: Speaking about his role as curator at the festival, Slauson Malone 1 (real name: Jasper Marsalis) s...
Library Card
Library Card came to be when four musicians from the lively Rotterdam music scene became friends. Lot van Teylingen, Mitchell Quitz, Kat Kalkman, and Emre Karayalçin soon emerged together as li...
U? returns to Utrecht for its fourth edition
U?, the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?, returns to Utrecht for its fourth edition. U? celebrates local and creative communities based in the Netherlands, with a strong focus on Utrecht. Our mission: Amplifying local communities from the fringe, U? is Utrecht’s radical playground for experimentation, co-creation and...
Watch/Listen: French indie-pop band Keep Dancing Inc performs live at 3voor12 Radio
French indie-pop band Keep Dancing Inc debuts on Dutch Radio with a live-session at 3voor12 Radio.
Listen to Richard Dawson perform 'Museum' and 'Two Halves' at Le Guess Who?
Richard Dawson performed live at Utrecht's Jacobikerk during Le Guess Who? 2023 as part of the program curated by Slauson Malone 1. You can now listen to the British folk master performing Museum (from the 2022 album The Ruby Chord) and Two Halves (from 2020). "The next song is from the point of view of a robot or an AI, somethin...
Boys of Summer
Boys of Summer take you into the world of Americana with warm guitar sounds. The nostalgia covered songs of well-known bands such as The Rolling Stones and heroes such as Springsteen and Neil Young. A...
Explore the line-up of LGW24 with our official playlist
Le Guess Who? is a playground for discovery and exploration, and once again that's deeply reflected in our 2024 program. Now that we've revealed the full line-up, including the curated programs by Arooj Aftab, Bo Ningen, Crystallmess, DARKSIDE, Mabe Fratti, and Touching Bass, it's time to start your musical discovery again. Take a deep...
Noise Diva
Noise Diva is an Amsterdam-based producer and DJ, Garage Noord resident, and co-founder at KLAB and SALWA foundation. Her musical stylings bridge together a variety of genres, from Moroccan trap to Eg...
Hofsafari (2022)
Put on your ranger outfit, and join the Hofsafari! We will guide you through a jungle of circular buildings, sustainable entrepeneurs and wonderful gardens. What monsters are hiding in the pond?...
R. De Selby
As a full-time member of Utrecht-based folk/slowcore formation I Am Oak, Dutch musician Robby de Selby is a versatile talent with an ear for both delightful melodies and foggy atmospherics. De Selby h...
Ayman Maas
Joey van der Kaaij and his neighbor Nuno Monteiro began experimenting recording together in a studio in a student building in de Bijlmer, Amsterdam. That collaboration has transformed into Ayman Maas...
Dabke Workshop
At De Voorkamer you can learn the Syrian folk dance Dabke. Amer, who will be the teacher, is a health and food enthusiast, a body builder whose message is that everyone should stay fit and healthy wit...
OBSESSED! Jewellery Festival presents Anouk van Klaveren
Peach Tree, Ambiguous is a research project mapping production processes of value and meaning in the spiritual void around luxury goods. Simulating a tribalized department-store, the exhibition shows...
Public art: Niels ten Broeke & Jasper Willem De Boer – JellyFish
Location: Weerdsluis Boneless, brainless and bloodless. Jellyfish are fascinating creatures that can survive in various aquatic environments. They can thrive in the ice-cold depths of the Arctic as w...
Public art: Aïda Gómez – Hide and seek
Location: Vredenburgplein Aïda Gómez is an urban artist based in Berlin. Working with language games and the playful replacement of social codes in our everyday environment, she finds a w...
Public art: AKMAR – Vanitas
Location: Korte Minrebroederstraat AKMAR is a multidisciplinary artist working with a range of disciplines, from video and computer generated work to physical sculptures. Vanitas is about digital tra...
Fatemeh & Rian
Fatemeh and Rian know each other thanks to their shared love of music. For several years, Fatemeh has been a participant at the weekly music evenings at the AZC in Utrecht. Here she treats the audienc...
Ìsòkan Ensemble
Would you like to dance? These four master drummers from Nigeria make sure you do! Enjoy the beautiful music and cultural tradition of the Yoruba people from Nigera, performed by the Ìsò...
aural conduct: Luke Cohlen b2b Mary
Luke Cohlen is a DJ and programmer whose sounds tread a variegated landscape, from quiet introspection to trippy and rhythmic club-terrains. Through an inherent drive to spotlight music and artists wo...
Revealing the full program for freely accessible city festival U?
U? is our new initiative: a new, participative and freely accessible day program created for and with the city of Utrecht. U? presents many cultural activities in different neighborhoods throughout the city of Utrecht and will take place during Le Guess Who’s festival weekend, 11 – 14 November. Now, we reveal the full program...
Antje Herber Flamenco
Elegance, punch, softness, a magical rhythmic playfulness – Flamenco has it all. Flamenco is a physical activity, making music with the body, an outlet for the stirrings of the soul. Azules is d...
Celestial Spaces: Fuzzy Dreamer
Fuzzy Dreamer plays minimal music inspired by dreamscapes. He asks what it would sound like if Philip Glass and Steve Reich played reverb and delay drenched guitar. His music draws the listener into t...
Celestial Spaces: This Leo Sunrise
This Leo Sunrise is an alt-folk-indie rock band from Utrecht. Honest songs are mixed with cinematic, repetitive drones, creating a broad sound spectrum. The songs, atmosphere, production and lyrics &n...
LGW x SPEAK present: Dutch jazz musician Ronald Langestraat introduced by Renee Telkamp
Le Guess Who? is proud to welcome both artists and visitors of many different nationalities to Utrecht each year. In collaboration with SPEAK, we started a new video series in which Utrechters introduce an artist on the Le Guess Who? 2021 line-up from their country. SPEAK connects locals, newcomers and migrants in the city of Utrecht, b...
Proces Kabaal x TBS x SOS Free Party
Free parties were on the forefront of electronics since the birth of acid-house. Traveling D.I.Y. community’s like Spiral Tribe and MononoM are synonymous with underground and non-conforming sou...
Open Call: U? is looking for NL-based community curators
Lees hier de tekst in het Nederlands. The open call has been closed. Le Guess Who? in Utrecht is a festival for groundbreaking music and culture, taking place 7-10 November 2024. It exists to bring people together through music and art. U? is its freely accessible city festival, dedicated to celebrating creativity in...
Ana Frango Elétrico releases new album 'Me Chama De Gato Que Eu Sou Sua'
Ana Frango Elétrico has been hailed as an indie wunderkind and "the most effervescent and innovative voice to surge up from Brazil’s new wave". Their 2019 album, Little Electric Chicken Heart, garnered plural accolades and even a Latin Grammy nomination; now, they releases their third and most confident album to date: Me Cham...
Ease Anais
Ease Anais creates musical landscapes in analogue electronics. The duo is mainly inspired by the Japanese Ambient from the 1980s that results in a unique style that transforms your perception of your...
Photo series: Naomi Velissariou by Rogier Boogaard
Naomi Velissariou is a Greek-Belgian stage director, writer, actor and performance artist. She is highly fascinated by the fluidity of identity and the way this is used in contemporary visual culture. Naomi will perform twice during U? 2023; on Saturday, 11 November, she will be a guest at Milan van Keulen's Luisterbar. In this 'bar',...
Queer Arcana - Chaos Form
The Drag/Gametheatre group Queer Arcana hosts a mass theatre exercise where they, together with the audience, will create the story of a real Dungeons and Dragons game theatre show, by using Ment...
Music Moves: Making the dance floor more accessible & inclusive
This year, U?, the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?, starts a new collaboration with Music Moves to make the dance floor more accessible and inclusive. Music Moves is a training program in which young adults (17 - 27 years) organize their own music event for people who do not naturally have access to music events. "We bel...
The Getdowns
The Getdowns are a young hardrock/punkband from Utrecht. Influenced by grunge bands like Pearl Jam and legendary classics like The Beatles, the four boys produce a massive amount of noise characterise...
Homo Ludens
Is making art playing, or is playing making art? Utrecht artist Claudia C. ten Hoeve explores the foundation with HOMO LUDENS: all culture is fundamentally play. Playing relaxes, connects, stimulates...
Innofest x Le Guess Who? 2023
Test your sustainable or social innovation at Le Guess Who? 2023Test jouw duurzame of sociale innovatie op Le Guess Who? 2023
Pedro Kastelijns & qbae
Pedro is a versatile artist, mastering drawing, painting, sculpture, music, performance, and installation. His distinct style blends cartoonish characters, brushwork, and geometries, reflected in both...
The Music Machine (2022)
It doesn't matter whether you are musical or not, everyone can make tones in the Sound Garden. One day they just started building an interactive music machine. They have one limitation: all instrument...
How Music Dies (or Lives): a conversation with Ian Brennan and Bob van Heur
Presented by Le Guess Who? & De Utrechtse Boekenbar Within the setting of one of Utrechts’ finest curated bookstores, our artistic director Bob van Heur will discuss with Grammy-winning pro...
Jacco Gardner: "Mysteriously, the things I feel connected to just find their way onto my path"
Before debuting his immersive multimedia-performance Somnium at this year’s Le Guess Who?, we had an extensive chat with Dutch musician, songwriter, and composer Jacco Gardner. About Dutch explorers, silent film soundtracks, Zambian rock legends, strange peninsula’s and of course, his upcoming LP Somnium. Jacco Gardner, sitti...
Kamiel Thomas
Kamiel Thomas is an indie songwriter and former member of the avant-garde dark rock ensemble GOLD. Kamiel's songs are worthy of arthouse films while also creating a sense of home. Kamiel Thomas i...
Otto Kokke
KULTUS, a solo project by Otto Kokke, is exploring the lines dividing music from sound. Stripped of all rhythm and melody, KULTUS songs are all about creating a physical sound that is much larger than...
Watch: La Blogothèque's Take Away Show with Kate NV, captured in Utrecht during LGW18
During Le Guess Who? 2018, the La Blogothèque team captured a stripped down and intimate Take Away Show with Moscow-based musician Kate NV. On her latest solo LP ‘для FOR’, Kate NV reflects on daily life in her native Moscow; creating an atmospheric soundscape filled with surreal, playful arrangements. During the sessi...
Neneh Cherry - Live at Le Guess Who? 2018
Genre-bending singer Neneh Cherry performed at Le Guess Who? 2018, presenting work from her latest album 'Broken Politics'; you can now listen + watch part of the performance below: Neneh Cherry - 'Shot Gun Shack', live at Le Guess Who? 2018: About:Across decades, Neneh Cherry traversed and transcended every known faction of the...
Le Guess Who? neemt prijs voor Beste Festival in ontvangst tijdens Eurosonic Noorderslag
Dit weekend werden in de Stadsschouwburg Groningen voor de 21e keer de IJzeren Podiumdieren uitgereikt door De Vereniging Nederlandse Poppodia en -Festivals (VNPF). Le Guess Who? mocht de award voor Beste Festival in ontvangst nemen. Uit het juryrapport: “De organisatie bewijst keer op keer dat je met doordachte, vernieuwende en div...
Homemade Empire
Ambient drones, cowboy psychedelia and fuzz folk - that's how singer-songwriter Bart de Kroon AKA Homemade Empire from Utrecht describes the sounds with which he takes us back to the future. With his...
Sun-Mi Hong
The Amsterdam-based, but born and raised in Incheon, Korea, Sun-Mi Hong has a unique perspective of life. With a signature of rooted groove in combination with well-tempered outbursts, Sun Mi has plac...
GHAFAR & MIRWAIS
Are you ready for music from Afghanistan? Ghafar Amini is known within the Afghan community in the Netherlands and plays well-known Afghan songs. Along with the music, you will be able to fully experi...
Insert Blank Records
Insert Blank Records is very proud to present to you their very first real-life showcase event. The new record label worked hard to build a diverse and joyful organization that represents the exciteme...
Greet & Meet
Common Frames and Radio Einstein present Greet & Meet: films, podcasts, photographs, talkshows and art, about and by newcomers from Utrecht and the surrounding region. In the wooden trailer you ca...
Aurélie Poppins & RomanOwitch
This will be the première of Aurélie Poppins (Cocaine Piss) and RomanOwitch (Detroit Underground) newest project. IDM scented alchemy of dirty, wet concrete-like hip-hop; acid synthesize...
BUY OR BURN
Artists community NoEsUnaGaleria NL is organising a program with live painting sessions and performance art by artists Ricardo Saga and Mario Gildardo from Mexico and Harmke Datema-Chang and Laur...
Kali Malone - Live at Le Guess Who? 2019
US-born, Stockholm-based minimalist artist and apprenticing organ tuner Kali Malone gave a special organ performance in TivoliVredenburg's Grote Zaal as opening performance of Le Guess Who? 2019. The performance was part of The Bug's curated program for the festival. We can now share two exceptionally beautiful pieces from the perf...
Mary Ocher
For a decade and a half, Mary Ocher has been weaving thought-provoking and often challenging art concerning authority, identity, and conflict. The artist's musical output encompasses everything from t...
Sun-Mi Hong
The Amsterdam-based, but born and raised in Incheon, Korea, Sun-Mi Hong has a unique perspective of life. With a signature of rooted groove in combination with well-tempered outbursts, Sun Mi has plac...
Frente Abierto feat. Israel Fernández & Lela Soto - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
In the flamenco world, Frente Abierto presents new possibilities. The group welcomes genres as diverse as metal and ambient into their realm, fusing their experimental streak with some of new flamenco’s most powerful singers. At Le Guess Who? 2024, the Andalusian collective collaborated with Israel Fernández, a cantaor...
LGW x SPEAK present: Egyptian ensemble Mazaher introduced by Ahmed Mostafa
Le Guess Who? is proud to welcome both artists and visitors of many different nationalities to Utrecht each year. In collaboration with SPEAK, we started a new video series in which Utrechters with foreign roots introduce an artist on the Le Guess Who? 2021 line-up from their country. SPEAK connects locals, newcomers and migra...
Heavyspitters: M-II
M-II was born in the Philippines and fled to the Netherlands as a child with her family. From an early age she processes her life experiences by painting and making music. She raps and sings in differ...
COSMOS Embassy: Melbourne, Australia
In partnership with Liquid Architecture. Liquid Architecture (LA) is Australia's flagship organisation for artists working with experimental sound and listening practices. Based in Naarm (Melbourne) and running strongly for over 20, LA supports radical interdisciplinary experimentations while offering a platform for artists working with...
The story of the Ellendigenkerkhof (city walk)
Outside the Catharijnepoort, where today you’ll find the Smakkelaarsveld, the Ellendigenkerkhof (the churchyard of the wretched) was situated between 1402 and 1664. A burial ground for those who...
Stiltecoupé with Berg & Beuk
Right next to the chaos of Utrecht Central station is Perron West, an old train car revamped to serve as a get-together. Party by day in the Stiltecoupé; a channel serving silent disco by local...
Celestial Spaces: Holzkohle
Holzkohle plays electro ambient drone, which means low bloops, high bleeps and danceable beats. Sometimes with a piano with broken C key, sometimes with e-bow driven guitars, but always with synthesiz...
Celestial Spaces: Frank Bosma Live Coding (VJ)
Frank Bosma is a creative developer who aims at offering people meaningful experiences that they can discover while playing, whether that’s online or offline. From sites to apps, and Augmented R...
Skate Presentations & Workshops
Skatepark Utrecht will organize several skating workshops at U? for everybody willing to participate, experience is not required! Skateboards, helmets and other protection will be provided by the teac...
Hartenoord
Claudia C. ten Hoeve creates art for children aged 1 to 111. She playfully explores how everyone can make a difference in the world. For U? she wants to turn Ravenoord (at Rotsoord) into Hartenoord, a...
'Donate a Ticket' for Le Guess Who?
(Nederlandse versie hieronder) Every year we give visitors the opportunity to 'Donate a Ticket'. This initiative gives festival visitors the opportunity to purchase an extra day ticket for people who are also interested in visiting the festival, but do not have the financial resources themselves to do so. Visitors can donate a ticket vi...
Ambient Listening Sessions X U? presents: Jonny Nash
Jonny Nash began his career whilst living in Japan during the 2000’s, releasing his first records on Kenji Takimi’s seminal label Crue-l. Relocating to London, Nash released a number of re...
Ambient Listening Sessions X U? presents: Omit Iwik
Omit Iwik (Iris van der Sluis) is an ambient and experimental DJ and musician from Utrecht. Through soundscapes of manipulated field recordings, collected sounds, samples and guitar loops, Omit Iwik t...
LGW21 photo series: Hidden Musics, Pink Oculus, Eddie Chacon, Hakuna Kulala Club Night and more
Our residential photographers Juri Hiensch and Melanie Marsman have been exploring Le Guess Who? again in 2021, captured different photo series during the festival. The upcoming time, we'll be sharing these series on this website and our social media. Portrait series at LGW21, by Melanie Marsman At Le Guess Who? 2021, residential phot...
Front & LGW present: live session + interview with pop noir singer/songwriter/guitarist Anna van Rij
As part of our new, hybrid platform COSMOS, we once again collaborated with Dutch music platform Front to bring you live sessions with rising Dutch artists. We're now publishing the first of these sessions on our YouTube channel: pop noir singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer Anna van Rij captured at Utrecht's Marnixzaal, a h...
Support Le Guess Who? with a regular or one-time donation
Le Guess Who? is an ever-changing format: we are always full of new ideas and looking for new ways to do what we do. In order to keep developing the festival the upcoming fifteen years on the same level as we did the last fifteen, we could use your support. Over the past fifteen years, we have developed into a platform that showcases...
Het Grote Gebeuren: Nemo Vos
The Amsterdam-based artist Nemo Vos (Tibor de Jong) graduated from St. Joost School of Art & Design, Breda, in 2015. You may know him from his digital video work for Obey Clothing or the animated...
Irreversible Entanglements
Free jazz collective Irreversible Entanglements, spearheaded by former LGW curator Moor Mother, met amidst an event protesting police brutality. Since then, they have released four full-length albums,...
Ndox Electrique
How does one put Ndox Electrique into mere words? It is wild, dark, and solar; it is feminine and powerful, groovy and heavenly. Most importantly, Ndox Electrique is a ritual of possession which comes...
Fininho (DJ)
Portuguese producer and DJ Francisco "Fininho" Sousa began as a techno DJ in Lisbon. Co-founding Celeste/Mariposa in 2009 shifted his path, supporting Lisbon's African diaspora talent, notably from An...
Schwierige Franz
Go nuts on the dancefloor, get some dirty doom in your eyes and become slightly intoxicated. One man band Schwierige Franz combines the meanest and the leanest of EBM, postpunk and fuzzy rock ‘n...
Theater Utrecht presents controversial theatrical concert PERMANENT DESTRUCTION
(scroll naar beneden voor de Nederlandse tekst) Pain Against Fear is the final part of the controversial music theater trilogy PERMANENT DESTRUCTION, produced by theater creator and performer Naomi Velissariou in co-production with Theater Utrecht. In this performance, Velissariou introduces herself as a popular singer of ‘PERMANEN...
Consensual Peggy
Consensual Peggy emerges as a riotgrrrl punk band, fearlessly embracing the currents of hysteria. Unpredictable, exuding a resounding uproar, and fiercely untamed. Born from a furnace of anger and inc...
Arp Frique & Family
When producer, musician, and thinker Arp Frique introduced himself to the world on debut record ‘The Colorful World of Arp Frique’, the world couldn’t help but smile back. Five years...
Arp Frique & Family
When producer, musician, and thinker Arp Frique introduced himself to the world on debut record ‘The Colorful World of Arp Frique’, the world couldn’t help but smile back. Five years...
Painkiller Party
Welcome to the world of PAINKILLER PARTY! This band revitalizes Electronicore with a mix of heavy breakdowns, quirky electronics, sweet melodies, and deep growls from a female voice. Think deathcore m...
Curated by Wes: Mistureba
As a DJ, Wes has an affinity for sounds from across the globe, both from the past and present. With a passionate interest in history, he’s always keen to track down the stories behind the music...
Keep Dancing Inc
In just a few years, Keep Dancing Inc has etched an indelible mark on the indie alternative scene with their suave and serene approach. European tours alongside Blossoms, collaborations with Altin G&u...
Baby's Berserk
Baby's Berserk, a radiant manifestation from Berlin's Toy Tonics label, weaves the vibrant threads of 1980s New Wave and Y2K Indie dance sensibilities. Guided by Lieselot Elzinga, a sage presence in a...
Luisterbar met Naomi Velissariou
Often, we will listen without actually hearing. We think we know what something sounds like, and lose interest. But if we listen intently, there’s often more there than we initially expected. In...
Watch: Niño de Elche live at Le Guess Who? 2023
"This is flamenco punk", said Niño de Elche towards the end of his performance at Le Guess Who?. It's a fitting statement: the Spanish musician, who is also called a 'singer, poet and omnipresent master of ensorcelling souls' has been challenging conservative and picturesque perceptions of flamenco for over two decades. You can re...
Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra presents Hadra Immersive
The Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra and visual artist Arion de Munck present the premiere of Hadra Immersive: an ancient northern Moroccan ceremony that leads participants to collective transcendence t...
BoterBoter
Athough the topics of the songs are often absurdist and quite bleak, BoterBoter’s live show of harsh vocals full of poetry and weird loops on hardware synths shows how not to spiral down in pess...
"Say it loud, say it clear!"
Come listen to the beautiful stories from participants of De Voorkamer Master Class Storytelling.Through three intensive sessions with storyteller Soula Notos (from the bimonthly Soula’s Storyte...
LGW Hangout
Utrecht's independent print workshop Kapitaal, once again hosts the official Le Guess Who? Hangout through all things print and sound. The program is a culmination of print, live music, DJ's, pizza's...
Dieter Rams’ stellingen en NU verder
Foundation De Pastoe Fabriek presents De Pastoe Fabriek promotes the objective of good design from an aesthetical and corporate social responsibility perspective, stimulating designers to appreciate...
A New International Counter-Culture
Foundation De Pastoe Fabriek presents De Pastoe Fabriek favours a new international counter-culture to break the hegemony of the global financial institutions and to reverse the tide of narrow-minded...
Gebroeders Dieleman van Eeckhout
Meant to perform at last year’s LGW OFF event, in 2021 Gebroeders Dieleman van Eeckhout join the main line-up of Le Guess Who?. This project is carried out by unorthodox duo Colin H. van Eeckhou...
Parrenin/Weinrich/Rollet
French label Versatile Records prides itself on encouraging artists to stray far from the norm. ‘Jours De Grève’, helmed by French folk muse Emmanuelle Parrenin and German electroni...
Stiltecoupé
Right nextdoor to the chaos of Utrecht Central station is Perron West, an old train car revamped to serve as a get-together. Party by day in the Stiltecoupé; a channel serving silent disco by l...
LGW x Corderius College: students experience the music of festival artists
This year, Le Guess Who? collaborates with Corderius College in Amersfoort in an educational project. Pupils were asked to choose one of the artists from this year’s line-up, and explore their background and inspiration. Based on this, they created a new visual image or product for the artist. Here's what they have to say about AMM...
burger service
burger service is a solo project by Jan Tromp that combines lofi, punk, Dutch, and wave. burger service is een soloproject van Jan Tromp waarin hij lofi combineert met punk, Dutch, en wave.  ...
Video portrait: Swamp Dogg talks Love, Loss, and Auto-Tune
In 1970, soul artist Jerry Williams, Jr. radically reinvented himself as Swamp Dogg: an anti-hero who smashes the conventions of commercial R&B music, and whose subversive lyrics earned him a spot on Richard Nixon’s infamous enemies list. Consequently, Swamp Dogg became one of the quintessential outsider figures in American musi...
Flare Quartet & Randa Awad
The Flare Quartet, with violinists from the Netherlands, Spain and Canada, was founded in 2020 by a group of master students from the Utrecht Conservatoire. They are joining the Palestinian, Syr...
The Body Electric (Koen Delaere)
The performative character of the work of painter Koen Delaere can be compared to experiencing a live music performance or to making music in which meaning evolves while listening and playing. A spont...
The Fire Harvest
The Fire Harvest balances beautifully between slow core, country-noir and post-rock. They master the art of dosage, of giving substance to their music in the right way so that tension is preserved. Wh...
Combo Qazam
Combo Qazam is a post-punk band from Utrecht that relies heavily on grooves and eerie vocal harmonies. On their well-received debut Flight Music (2020), they link this to 90s indie, math rock, prog an...
Team
Supervisory Board Hans van Soelen – chairman (end first period March 2026)Jorien Waanders – audit committee (end first period June 2026)Mark Laagewaard – audit committee (end first period January 2027)Nancy Poleon – member (end first period January 2027)Ilayda Hagens – member (end first period January...
Le Guess Who? Lunch & Live Music
Le Guess Who? will host a special lunch at LOU Oudenoord. A place for conversation, reflection, relaxation and great food. Engage in talks with your fellow festival visitors about all the things you&r...
Public art: Wilhelmusvlug – All My Colours
Location: TivoliVredenburg Wilhelmusvlug is a contemporary artist whose main focus for the last 15 years has been on monumental light art and video art installations. All My Colours is a light art in...
Public art: Cem Berendsen & Wessel Kok – FROM NOISE
Location: Neude What happens when you embrace noise? FROM NOISE is an audio-visual sculpture consisting of countless noise frequencies. The noise is used as a building block in an abstract landscape...
Le Guess Who? 2019 Press Archive
“With the able steer of festival curators Jenny Hval, Moon Duo, Fatoumata Diawara, and Iris Van Herpen, this year’s boundary-crossing festival Le Guess Who?? welcomed visitors from over 60 countries and proved that even in times of political divide, music and art can bring us together into a more hopeful future.” - The...
Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto - Desde Le Guess Who? (En Vivo)
During Le Guess Who? 2024, we witnessed the magic of legendary Cumbia and Gaita ensemble Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, thanks to festival curator Mabe Fratti who invited them to Utrecht. Dubbed "the authentic masters of traditional Colombian Music" by the New Yorker, Latin GRAMMY-winning Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto have toured the world f...
Maurice Louca's Fera with Ayman Asfour - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
Fera is a wild and adventurous new work that Egyptian artist Maurice Louca wrote over a four-year period. It was performed live at Le Guess Who? 2024 together with Ayman Asfour as part of Chromesthesia, curated by Hannah Elsisi. Below, you can watch Barĩy from the captivating performance and listen to the full audio of the show. ...
Darbuka performance by Haydar
When he was eleven, Haydar came to the Netherlands, got into Turkish music and started playing darbuka. Now, Haydar has been playing darbuka for over 40 years. Coming from Dutch and Turkish culture, h...
Heavyspitters: Formula C
Formula C is a 22 year old rapper and producer from Amersfoort. With a raw, complex and funky sound, he immerses himself in rap verses with lots of metaphors, tongue twisters and varying rhyme schemes...
Yakuni Tunes
The synthpop songs of the Utrecht one-man band Yakuni Tunes contain solid drum computer beats, dreamy vocals and layered retro keyboards. These songs go hand in hand with lyrics about heartache, faile...
Kickstarter x Kapitaal x Stranded FM host Official LGW21 Hangout with live sessions, DJ sets & exhibitions
This year, Kapitaal returns as the official Le Guess Who? 2021 Hangout. Utrecht's beloved independent print workshop collaborates with Kickstarter and Stranded FM to bring you a program with radio and DJ sets, interviews, live sessions, art exhibitions, film screenings, and all things print & sound from Friday 12 November till Sunday...
Lees het speciale LGW21 dossier van Gonzo (circus) met Blak Saagan, Space Afrika, Spill Gold, Vladislav Delay & meer
Gonzo (circus), het Vlaams-Nederlandse magazine voor vernieuwende muziek en andere kunstvormen, is al jarenlang een partner van Le Guess Who?. Dit jaar presenteren ze een speciaal LGW21 dossier met interviews uit hun archieven met Space Afrika, Duma, Spill Gold, Angel Bat Dawid, Jessica Moss, Matana Roberts en Vladislav Delay. Daarnaast p...
Yakuni Tunes
The synthpop songs of the Utrecht one-man band Yakuni Tunes contain solid drum computer beats, dreamy vocals and layered retro keyboards. These songs go hand in hand with lyrics about heartache, faile...
Nospray: Bumble B. Boy
Bumble B. Boy is a failed children’s entertainer and weirdo-punk musical act that blends theatrical live performances, rhythmic post-punk music and fictional multimedia storytelling. Based in Ni...
aural conduct: Nijhof & Toonk (live)
Nijhof & Toonk make improvisational clever electronics fuelled by post-rock and dub-laden styles. In their immersive and lingering live-shows, unique pathways are explored and take shape, as the d...
Watch: Anoushka Shankar & Manu Delago with Metropole Orkest Strings live at LGW18
Continuing the legacy of her father, the legendary Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar is considered to be one of the world’s most renowned sitar players. In 2018, she performed at Le Guess Who?, together with Austrian percussionist and Björk collaborator Manu Delago and the 27-member string section of the Metropole Orkest, conducte...
Condor Gruppe
The Antwerp-based nine-piece ensemble Condor Gruppe takes you on a hypnotic trip through their record collections, paying tribute to obscure Italian 70s film soundtracks, krautrock and psychedelic gro...
Paranoid State
Three veterans from the Dutch hardcore scene bring you an intense and melodic form of post-hardcorepunk in the vein of Wipers, Black Flag and Bad Brains. With two full-length albums under their belt,...
Volledige programma U? 2024 onthuld
U?, het gratis toegankelijke stadsprogramma van Le Guess Who?, viert lokale en creatieve communities, met een sterke focus op Utrecht. U? keert van 8-10 november 2024 terug voor de vierde editie. U? onthult nu het volledige programma voor 2024, met op zaterdag 9 november een festival-playground in het Cartesiusgebied, en daarnaast veel a...
Le Guess Who? launches freely accessible city festival U? / Le Guess Who? lanceert gratis toegankelijk stadsfestival U?
Le Guess Who? exists to bring people together through art and music. In 2021, the international festival for boundary-crossing music and culture makes a new addition to the upcoming festival edition: U?, a new, participative and freely accessible day program created for and with the city of Utrecht.
Official Le Guess Who? Hangout
Le Guess Who? x Kapitaal x Stranded FM present: The Official Hang-out. Through live music, radio dj-sets, talks, art exhibitions, printing and all things that scream print and sound, Kapitaal will tra...
Watch a stunning live session with Alabaster dePlume at Oxford's Covered Market, presented by Upcycled Sounds
Composer, saxophonist, and storyteller/poet Alabaster dePlume will be Le Guess Who? 2021’s Artist in Residence this November. Now, Upcycled Sounds in collaboration with OCM presents a beautiful and intimate session with the group, captured at Oxford's Covered Market, in which they perform a composition based on the poem 'B...
Ana Frango Elétrico
Ana Faria Fainguelernt is Ana Frango Elétrico, the Brazilian indie wunderkind whose 2019 album, ‘Little Electric Chicken Heart’, garnered plural accolades and even a Latin Grammy no...
Watch Marina Herlop perform 'La Alhambra' live at Le Guess Who?
Catalan artist Marina Herlop performed live at Le Guess Who? 2022 as part of the program curated by Animal Collective. Last year, we released the concert film with tracks from her 2022 album 'Pripyat'. Now that its follow-up is out, 2023's 'Nekkuja', we release the video of 'La Alhambra', one of the tracks from that new album. "T...
Boxing Matches by Jimmy's Gym (2022)
This event will hit you just as hard in the face as our music and arts program. No, you don’t have to step into the ring yourself, but you will be marveled at several intense matches. Various ty...
Stay Fluid: COSMOS goes Behind the Scenes in Melbourne, Australia with Liquid Architecture
COSMOS: Behind the Scenes with Liquid Architecture In 'Behind the Scenes', COSMOS dives into local stories from across the world together with our global partners. For over two decades, Liquid Architecture has grown from a student project to Australia’s premier festival for experimental and avant-garde music. In its current form,...
IJzersterk Empowerment
Not all adolescents find the support they need within the youth care. For those who don’t, IJzersterk has developed ‘Empowerment’. Professionals and hands-on experts support young pe...
Watch: Faiz Ali Faiz live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Pakistani singer Faiz Ali Faiz gave a spectacular performance as one of the closing acts of Le Guess Who? 2023. You can now relive this glorious moment with our concert film, as well as the full audio of the show. "Another kind of passion was found in the lovely old Vredenburg hall with the transcendent qawwali of Faiz Ali Faiz a...
Wouter van Veldhoven (2021)
Dutch composer Wouter van Veldhoven explores the possibilities offered by archaic magnetic sound recording, processing and playback. He uses refurbished/adapted tape recorders, wire recorders and disc...
Charlotte Nicole Victoria
Charlotte Nicole Victoria is a visual artist working at the crossroads of several mediums, especially printing, photography, and painting. She took a special interest in photography, exploring old pri...
Thomas Hell
Thomas Hell is a DJ, producer & music programmer interested in music as a means for communication and cultural expression. Alternating between softer sounds or harder styles, depending on the mood...
PRETPARK! met (...) Centraal
We’re transforming petting zoo Nieuw Rotsoord into an amusement park: PRETPARK!. A magical world offering fun for all ages. Think of rides, live shows, opera, light shows, workshops, film screen...
Talk: Wie maakt de stad?
Please note: this conversation will be in Dutch.Marischka Verbeek, owner of Utrecht’s renowned bookstore Savannah Bay, will enter into a conversation with a selection of Utrecht based creat...
Arts of Resistance x Linangan
Linangan and Arts of Resistance are hosting a multi-media exhibition combined with a public program in Bibliotheek Neude, Utrecht as a part of U?, the free program connected to Le Guess Who festival....
"It was the right place at the right time": COSMOS Goes Behind the Scenes in Montréal, Canada
COSMOS: Behind the Scenes with POP Montréal In 'Behind the Scenes', COSMOS dives into local stories from across the world together with our global partners. Ever since Le Guess Who?'s very first edition, there's been a strong bond with POP Montréal’s 20+ year long history of platforming cutting-edge music. Fo...
Tonto (2023)
Tonto (Francesco Zedde) came out of the most perverted wet dreams of Lightning Bold, Shellac, Zu, and Death Grips. You can call it noise, but it’s groovy like hip-hop and it’s anti-style l...
BoterBoter (2021)
Utrecht’s own synther-songwriter BoterBoter uses his hilarious, absurdist and poetic Dutch-language super-disco as a coping mechanism for his existence in this bizarre world. His unpolished but...
The Utrecht squatting info hour
The Utrecht squatting info hour (het kraakspreekuur) offers an alternative to the housing crisis by providing you with everything you ever wanted to know about squatting. Support your local squatting...
Gert Wessels (2023)
Gert Wessels crafts dynamic pieces that fuse form and function. His creations, marked by vibrant and distinct shapes, challenge nature with materials. Embracing chance, he sculpts polyurethane foam in...
About Utrecht
"Spiralling outwards from the cobbled, canal-studded streets of the old town, Utrecht is an architecturally beautiful city in the centre of the Netherlands." - Crack Magazine
Modulation: Elektortek & The Music Machine
Modulation is Utrecht’s own accessible night of live performances and concerts centered around modular synthesizers and other hardware electronic instruments. A place for newcomers as well as ve...
Tiago Caetano
With a brush dipped in optimism, Tiago Caetano paints the melancholic Breton coast to turn it into the colourful palette of Brazil; luckily that warm wind will blow all the way to Utrecht for Le Guess...
Índio da Cuíca
An authentic showman, Índio da Cuíca radiates vitality and reveals to the world his expressive performance, original music and the charisma of a genuine Rio de Janeiro malandro. With a c...
Moor Mother
As Moor Mother, Philly-based noise artist, activist and wordsmith Camae Ayewa shapes the vocabulary of hip hop and energy of punk rock into a musical tour de force. Informed by history, Afrofuturism a...
ONCEIM & Stephen O'Malley present 'Gruides'
The ‘Orchestre de Nouvelles Créations, Expérimentations et Improvisations Musicales’ (ONCEIM) is an orchestra of 34 musicians dedicated to the art of creation and experimenta...
An Introduction to LGW17: het festivalteam stelt je persoonlijk het programma voor
Op zondag 22 oktober stellen we je persoonlijk het programma van Le Guess Who? 2017 voor in EKKO. Het festivalteam vertelt je over de totstandkoming van het wereldse programma en de verborgen schatten...
Robbie Cornelissen: animated films
Centraal Museum presents Utrecht artist Robbie Cornelissen creates films, drawings and installations and was one of the main curators of the Centraal Museum exhibition De Line Up. Cornelissen is know...
Doug Hream Blunt
In the late 80’s, Doug Hream Blunt moonlighted music with a job at a care home in San Francisco. As a relative late bloomer at age 35, he started writing songs after attending a How To Start A B...
Casper Clausen
Efterklang singer Casper Clausen presents his (yet to be released) solo music, made up in a small studio by the river in Cacilhas (Lisbon). With songwriting still in progress, Casper has only played s...
Keys of Light - Open Piano
Keys of Light is a piano installation for everyone; it allows the audience to co-create the work by playing the piano. Every note that is played creates a pulse of light or visual element th...
Old Time Relijun
Many questions arise when listening to K Records’ Old Time Relijun. Is it for real? Is it ironic? When leading man Arrington de Dionyso channels his best David Byrne impression under a cacophoni...
Playlist: New & Notable at Le Guess Who? 2018
As every year, an important part of the Le Guess Who? program is about making new discoveries; experiencing new sounds and artists that might become new personal favorites in the future. To help you e...
Don The Tiger
Berlin-based, Spanish-born musician Adrián de Alfonso has collaborated with names like Lydia Lunch, El Guincho and Le Guess Who? curator Lucrecia Dalt. However, it is on his own that...
Spill Gold
This experimental duo, born from members of Dutch dream-pop ensemble Bird On The Wire, has been telling vivid stories with their music since 2017, the year in which they released their debut EP. Altho...
Boomhut & Friends + Noordzee
Visit two art installations at Hof van Cartesius.Boomhut & FriendsBoomhut is an Utrecht-based collective and they focus on interactive and immersive art installations. Their works are not only abu...
Watch + listen: Neneh Cherry live at Le Guess Who? 2018, performing tracks from 'Broken Politics'
Genre-bending singer Neneh Cherry performed at Le Guess Who? 2018, presenting work from her latest album 'Broken Politics'; you can now listen + watch part of the performance below: Neneh Cherry - 'Shot Gun Shack', live at Le Guess Who? 2018: About:Across decades, Neneh Cherry traversed and transcended every known faction of the...
Guido Nijs & Jos Smolders
Through sampling and re-sampling of pre-recorded material and live performed pieces, Jos Smolders (modular synthesizer) and Guido Nijs (saxophone and other wind instruments) are trying to find new way...
Open Podium West
presented by Jongerentheater Link Discrimination, prejudice, exclusion, racism; these subjects are all up for discussion at Open Podium West. Hear and meet people of all ages from the neighbourhood,...
I Think I Think
I Think I Think is a dreampop duo consisting of Aurelia Wurfbain and Silva Westera. With the technological testcases in their music, like using computer controlled hammers/solenoids, tape loops and li...
Ubuntustemmen Part 1 & 2
In the Ubuntuhuis you can listen to Ubuntustemmen (voices) Part 1 & 2. In Part 1 you will hear Roos and Amara. Amara plays traditional Guinese kora music and djembé. Roos adds a layer of te...
Daniel Okiror
Originally from Uganda, Daniel Okiror is an ethno-fusion musician and change-maker passionate about telling the ‘true’ African story. His performance, accompanied by other musical instrume...
First wave of artists announced for fifth edition of 24-HOUR DRONE
Multidisciplinary arts center Basilica Hudson and Le Guess Who? will host the fifth edition of 24-HOUR DRONE from noon - noon on April 27 and April 28 in Hudson, NY. The first wave of artists are now announced, including world-renowned Indian classical musician Maestro Khan with a performance of Indian classical/folk music for tabl...
Le Guess Who? Official Hangout
Through live interviews and performances, listening sessions, art exhibitions and all things print and sound, Kapitaal, Utrecht’s beloved independent print workshop, will transform into a three-...
Inkhorn Controversy
Inkhorn Controversy is a band from Utrecht that plays both Dutch and English alternative pop rock. Their sound is Britpop/Postpunk-like with some Progrock influences. With theiridiosyncratic texts the...
Explore the initial line-up of Le Guess Who? 2019 with our official playlist
The initial line-up for Le Guess Who? 2019 has now been revealed. Delve into the music of all artists announced as part of the initial with our handpicked, official playlist. From Asha Puthli's cosmic disco anthem 'Space Talk' to the juggernaut industrial/metal of Godflesh, back to the vulnerable and healing music of La Bruja de...
The Late Frique Show
The Late Frique Show, hosted by Arp Frique, is a late night talk show highlighting the music and artists you need to discover in order to grow and glow. The Dutch synth funkster making waves in the in...
Deerhunter - Live at Le Guess Who? 2019
Following the release of their latest album 'Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?', Atlanta art-punkers Deerhunter performed live at Le Guess Who? 2019. We're very pleased to now share a video of the band performing 3 songs live at the festival: 'Sailing' (from their 2010 album 'Halcyon Digest'), 'Take Care' (from 2015's...
Kim Gordon - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
Watch our concert film of Kim Gordon performing live at Le Guess Who? 2024, curated by Crystallmess, following the release of her latest, acclaimed album The Collective via Matador Records. "The album's daring beats and improvised guitar are marks of a lifelong radical still at the peak of her powers.” – The New Yorker...
Bekijk Vrije Geluiden's LGW19 specials met o.a. Cate Le Bon, Aldous Harding en Efterklang
VPRO Vrije Geluiden was aanwezig op Le Guess Who? 2019 en maakte twee prachtige televisiespecials die op zondag 17 en 24 november werden uitgezonden op NPO1. Daarin zijn zowel sessies met festivalartiesten, opgenomen door Vrije Geluiden in het Academiegebouw in Utrecht, als live registraties van het festival te zien. Zondag 24 november:...
Djembé workshop with Amara Diabate
Amara Diabate, who lives in Zuilen, is a master drummer and kora player. He is hosting a djembe workshop where all those present can feel everything the drums produce and what it awakens. Diabate guid...
Le Guess Who? presents the second edition of concert series Hidden Musics at 2021 festival
After an overwhelming first edition in 2019, the celebrated concert series Hidden Musics returns to Le Guess Who? from 11-14 November 2021 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Hidden Musics presents international musical performances that are not usually experienced on stages or at festivals; these rich, often centuries-old musical traditions ar...
Live Paint with Laurie Drew & Dennis Weijers
An audio-visual scene in a greenhouse with artist Laurie Drew and musician Dennis Weijers.Een audiovisueel tafereel onder de kas van kunstenaar Laurie Drew en muzikant Dennis Weijers.
Open Call: U? is op zoek naar community curatoren gevestigd in Nederland
Voor U? 2024 zijn we op zoek naar nieuwe en enthousiaste curatoren om hun communities en creativiteit op het festival te presenteren.
‘New nest, same flight' - Live Screenprinting by Birdguy
Aloïs van Bruchem, aka ‘Birdguy’, creates multidisciplinary work. He is best known for his cartoon-like birds, which you see on canvases, skateboards, clothing or as street art. At Ku...
Stach & Tano Rivers
Stach Platenkamp (aka Stach) is a sound designer, producer, vocalist, session director and drummer. With his good friend Fuat Okatan (aka Tano Rivers), he is currently working on his first album. Earl...
Joram Feitsma
Joram Feitsma composes neoclassical, minimal, melancholic piano music with an electronic twist. In October, he released his new album 'Stroom', with both music and poetry, that arrives at deeper groun...
U?: Girls In Synthesis share new single 'Pulling Teeth', embodying their "new mission statement"
(Nederlandse tekst hieronder)Girls In Synthesis is a London-based post-punk and noise rock band that has been releasing records for 4 years and counting. With their DIY mentality they’re not afraid to experiment. You can now listen to their latest single ‘Pulling Teeth’.<a href="https://girlsinsynthesi...
CTA Playlist
Le Guess Who? takes pace across 20 locations in the city center of Utrecht; ranging from churches and galleries to theaters and pop venues. Most are within walking distance from each other. Here are a couple highlighted.
Paranoid State
Three veterans from the Dutch hardcore scene bring you an intense and melodic form of post-hardcorepunk in the vein of the Wipers, Black Flag and Bad Brains.Drie veteranen van de Nederlandse hardcore-...
Relive FLOHIO live at Le Guess Who? 2021; listen to the full performance
Following the release of her debut ‘No Panic No Pain’, south London rapper FLOHIO performed at TivoliVredenburg’s Ronda during Le Guess Who? 2021. You can now relive the performance; listen to the full show below: "Lagos born, South London based MC, Flohio is ready to rage her way to the top of rap, passing by grime,...
Front & LGW present: live session + interview with Dutch post-punk outfit Private Banking
As part of our new, hybrid platform COSMOS, we once again collaborated with Dutch music platform Front to bring you live sessions with rising Dutch artists. Following the publication of the first session, with pop noir singer/songwriter/guitarist Anna van Rij, we now share the session with new Dutch post-punk outfit Private Banking...
U? keert terug naar Utrecht voor vierde editie
U?, het gratis toegankelijke stadsprogramma van Le Guess Who?, keert terug naar Utrecht voor de vierde editie. U? viert lokale en creatieve communities gevestigd in Nederland, met een sterke focus op Utrecht. Onze missie: Amplifying local communities from the fringe, U? is Utrecht’s radical playground for experimentation, co-creati...
Brintex Collective
Brintex Collective is a group of young Rotterdam-based musicians fronted by keyboardist Brenn Luiten. Drawing on jazz, hip hop and electronic music, the result is a refreshing sound that instantly ene...
Cavolo Nero
Cavolo Nero is the ingredient for all kinds of Tuscan specialties, but also a six-piece band from Utrecht. The brand new project was born out of love for afrobeat and groove-oriented music. With inspi...
Scene Report: Mexico City, Mexico. Part II
‘El Peñon de Los Baños’ or ‘Colombia Chiquita’ is a rock formation in Mexico City, right next to the airport. Where hot springs still gush today. In the same way,...
Chris Pattishall
Pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams first performed ‘The Zodiac Suite’, now regarded as a breakthrough in the history of jazz, to mixed audience reactions. Over seven decades later, the...
Domenico Lancellotti
Musician Domenico Lancellotti (of +2's and Orquestra Imperial) grew up in Rio de Janeiro, and samba was the soundtrack not only in the city but also at home; his father, Ivor Lancellotti, is a revered...
Soft Break
Yessica Deira is Soft Break, a DJ and multidisciplinary designer hailing from Rotterdam. Early encounters with the city’s bustling music scene feed into her DJ work, which is highly eclectic; wi...
Revealing the full program for Le Guess Who? 2023
Le Guess Who?, considered to be one of the most forward-thinking festivals around the world, returns to Utrecht, the Netherlands, from 9-12 November for its 16th edition. We now reveal the full 2023 line-up, after previously announcing festival curators Heba Kadry, Nala Sinephro, Slauson Malone 1 and Stereolab, as well as performances by...
'Cursed Bunny' reimagined by MARUSKES
MARUSKES is an experimental duo, consisting of Tania Zountsa on alto sax and Lida Brouskari on electronics, theremin, piano, and vocals. Driven by a fascination with literature, short stories, and the...
Emma Riethorst
In Emma Riethorst’s sculptures and paintings, forgotten figures come to life. Their life-like appearance commands empathy. Through themes like anthropomorphism, these wordless creatures remind u...
Wouter van Veldhoven
Wouter van Veldhoven works with unreliable archaic machines such as reel to reel tape recorders, 8mm projectors and more. For this set he has been preparing an answering machine from 1958 and turned i...
Listen to Moin live at Le Guess Who? 2023, curated by Stereolab
London trio Moin, comprised of Raime’s Joe Andrews and Tom Halstead together with percussionist visionary Valentina Magaletti, performed live at Le Guess Who? 2023 as part of the program curated by Stereolab. You can now listen to and relive the full performance, featuring a previously unreleased track: "'Moin are subtly but br...
Independent Community Radio Network (ICRN)
The Independent Community Radio Network (ICRN) connects and supports like-minded community radios with the shared goal of establishing a more sustainable and long-term future. ICRN’s activities...
Pop-Up Radio: Independent Community Radio Network (ICRN)
The Independent Community Radio Network (ICRN) connects and supports like-minded community radios with the shared goal of establishing a more sustainable and long-term future. ICRN’s activities...
Volksdansgroep Pieremachochel
Dance group Pieremachochel is a folk dance group from Utrecht. They have been keeping the rich Dutch folk dance tradition alive for almost 50 years. To this day they showcase Dutch folk dances to the...
GNOD + MC Sissi preview new album 'Inner Fucking Peace'
Psychedelic noise-rock group GNOD has been working on rewiring the band's sound together with MC Sissi. This transformative collective now announces their upcoming collaborative album Inner Fucking Peace, out on the 25 October via Rocket Recordings. In anticipation of the record and of their show at Le Guess Who? 2024, the artists share t...
Le Guess Who? Student Exhibition
In the run up to the festival, about 170 students of three secondary schools in Utrecht have created artworks inspired by artists of the 2023 line up, commissioned by Le Guess Who? and BAK. The studen...
Pedro Ricardo releases new EP 'Dança de Rua'
For every record he spins, Pedro Ricardo takes on new challenges. The artist, who will be doing a DJ set at Le Guess Who?, relies on the strength of the grooves he plays, bringing forth a feeling of intense freedom to the dance floor through a selection of warm, inviting rhythms. Jazz-fusion, disco, and funk are to be expected, but house...
Honingbeer
Honingbeer is the solo project of violinist Marthe Lasthuis. In her latest EP ‘Opia’, Honingbeer’s musical colors shine. It’s a fully realized vision shaped by her background i...
Fotoserie: U? residentie met 45ACIDBABIES door Rogier Boogaard
Dit jaar nodigde U? het Utrechts-Amsterdamse collectief 45ACIDBABIES uit voor een residentie in VOGELFREI. Tijdens deze residentie werkten ze aan een speciale performance rondom hun nieuwe album, dat een eerbetoon brengt aan en inspiratie haalt uit comic book-cultuur, video games, queerness, ballroom cultuur (vogue), eclectiek, kleur en e...
Birdcage Radio
Birdcage Radio is a creative community and daily online radio that focuses on forward thinking events and dance music. For U? they will gather their beautiful flock of colourful birds to finish the fi...
Boulderen (Friend For Free)
Bouldering is a fiery and spectacular form of climbing. A boulder is a clump of rock, and bouldering literally means climbing a rock. Since there are no rocks in the Netherlands, we climb walls with a...
Video portrait: the legacy of Germán Bringas, "father of Mexican experimental music”
As part of her curation at Le Guess Who? 2024, Mabe Fratti presents some very special Mexican and South American acts that have influenced her personal development, including experimental jazz artist Germán Bringas. The short documentary Caminatas, created by Smiling C, dives into the life and work of the multi-instrumentalist and...
Dear Omens
Dear Omens is a musical melting pot from the bustling streets of Amsterdam. This band intertwines krautrock, new waves, and dark tones into an idiosyncratic sound. With a fusion of organ, percussion,...
Ziggy Splynt
Crashing drums, growling bass and haunting guitars: that’s what Ziggy Splynt is. A dive into a musical world that is somewhere inbetween dreamy landscapes and a raging tempest. The alt-rock trio...
Eigen Risico
Eigen Risico is the project from the multidisciplinary artist Héctor Garcia Martin also known as Hache. Initially formed as a collective where live art performance and music melted into an inte...
LGW23 Program Update
We’re pleased to announce that Khyam Allami, Animistic Beliefs, Natural Information Society, Antipop Consortium, Wayne Phoenix, Badume’s Band & Selamnesh Zéméné, Kim David Bots & Lyckle De Jong, Toumba, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Radio Choir performing Delius’ A Song of the...
HOUSE OF DAAN
Introducing HOUSE OF DAAN, a crochet and ceramic studio crafting unique, taboo-challenging items. They redefine love, sexuality, and the human body through vibrant wool, yarn, and porcelain creations....
BUI 'What are You building in There?!'
BUI (Bevordering Utrechtse Improvisatie), an interdisciplinary music collective from Utrecht, presents ‘What are You building in There?!’. Performers, musicians, audience, and passersby ar...
ANBI info Stichting Le Guess Who
Stichting Le Guess Who heeft een Culturele ANBI-status. Een ANBI is een instelling die zich voor minstens 90% inzet voor het algemeen nut. Een ANBI is vrijgesteld van schenkbelasting. Voor een begunstiger van een ANBI betekent deze ANBI-status fiscaal voordeel in de inkomstenbelasting en de vennootschapsbelasting. KVK-nummer: 51954222RSI...
Insan Larasati
Based between Amsterdam and Berlin, Insan Larasati is a community organizer, DJ, designer and inclusivity officer. With artist Shasti Andara they founded Nusaqueer Diaspora, an open-structured collect...
Unfinished Conversations
Moments of encounter carry worlds within them. An exchange of intimacy, laughter, care – sometimes even a sense of community. For YUMNA, creating meaningful moments for Muslim women is therefore...
Puta Triste
12:30 - 12:50 / De NijverheidScqxhbsvjjkalanmmdnnnsusaarrgrggggghhhghggggggzzzzhggzggsrrschttttzzzzztgggsschhrxrxrrrrrrschrwxzz
Photo series: the transformative experience of La Bruja de Texcoco at LGW19, captured by Melanie Marsman
Mexican mystical phenomenon La Bruja de Texcoco (real name: Octavia Mendoza Anario) recalibrates her classical teachings to create an astonishing tapestry of traditional Mexican music, baroque and jazz, playing various string instruments, percussion and harp. The legend of La Bruja de Texcoco (literal translation: 'T...
Read Bandcamp's feature about the "thrilling and fantastical" story of La Bruja de Texcoco
Mexican mystical phenomenon La Bruja de Texcoco (literal translation: 'The Witch of Texcoco') recalibrated her classical teachings to create an astonishing tapestry of traditional Mexican music, baroque and jazz, playing various string instruments, percussion and harp. Having recently released her debut 'De Brujas Peteneras...
"As a witch I believe in the magic that happens on stage": La Bruja de Texcoco interviewed by MusicMap
Octavia Mendoza Anario, aka La Bruja de Texcoco (‘The Witch of Texcoco’), reinvigorates the canon of Mexican folk by deviating from it. La Bruja recalibrated her classical teachings to create an astonishing tapestry of traditional Mexican music, baroque and jazz, playing various string instruments, percussion and harp. L...
Photo series: LGW artist portraits captured by Melanie Marsman & Juri Hiensch
At Le Guess Who? 2019, residential photographers Melanie Marsman and Juri Hiensch captured a stunning series of artist portraits surrounding their performances at the festival. View the full series here, featuring a.o. La Bruja de Texcoco, Coucou Chloe, James Merry, Oshun, Stella Chiweshe,&nbs...
Visit the LGW photo gallery, featuring stunning documentary series and artist portraits
Each year during Le Guess Who?, our residential photographers capture the most beautiful and special moments of the festival, onstage as well as backstage. Visit our gallery section to view all the impressive series made during the festival. Currently, the gallery features a stunning series of artist portraits by photographers ...
Revealing the initial line-up for Le Guess Who? 2019
We're pleased to reveal the initial line-up for Le Guess Who? 2019, dedicated to boundary-crossing music from all over the world. The first 87 acts include very rare performances by Asha Puthli, Ustad Saami, and Ayalew Mesfin & Debo Band, as well as the curated programs by Jenny Hval, Moon Duo, Patrick Higgins and The...
Revealing the full line-up for Le Guess Who? 2019
Following the announcements of the curated programs by Fatoumata Diawara, Iris van Herpen & Salvador Breed, Jenny Hval, Moon Duo, Patrick Higgins, and The Bug, we are now proud to reveal the full program for Le Guess Who? 2019. New additions include the premiere of AEAEA (Patrick Higgins & Nicolas Jaar), Aldous Harding, Deerh...
Sudan Archives announces debut album, shares first single 'Confessions'
Violinist, singer, songwriter and producer Sudan Archives is one of the most exciting and distinctive musicians working today. Her unique songs fold in elements of R&B, violin playing inspired by Northeast African fiddlers, West African rhythms, and experimental electronic music. Following last year's acclaimed 'Sink' EP,...
Listen: Oiseaux-Tempête releases new song 'Weird Dancing In All-Night II'
Oiseaux-Tempête is the project of French multi-instrumentalists Fréderic D. Oberland and Stéphane Pigneul. In October, the group will release their new album 'From Somewhere Invisible': a collaboration with former Le Guess Who? artists Radwan Ghazi Moumneh (Jerusalem In My Heart, also LGW17 curator)...
Watch: Sudan Archives releases 'Confessions' video, from upcoming debut album 'Athena'
Violinist, singer, songwriter and producer Sudan Archives shared the first single from her upcoming debut album, now she follows up with a stunning video for 'Confessions', whose closing section also debuts portions of new song 'Black Vivaldi Sonata'. Both tracks are from her impending debut full length 'Athena', out 1 November via S...
Watch: Yves Jarvis shares new video for 'Sugar Coated'
Montreal-based musician, producer and composer Yves Jarvis shares his new video for ‘Sugar Coated’, taken from his latest album ‘The Same But By Different Means’. Yves Jarvis is known for his auteur approach to music making; composing, performing, and recording everything on his albums himself, resulting in mu...
Explore Melissa Laveaux's Haitian roots and native folk spirituals in The Guardian interview
The work of Ottawa-born, Paris-based musician and singer Mélissa Laveaux brims with defiance, cheekiness, and pride, combining lost traditions with modern influences like psych rock, calypso, folk pop, and punk. In an interview with The Guardian, Laveaux talks about her third and most recent album 'Radyo Siw&e...
"The Master Of The Forty Nine Notes": The Quietus publishes profile on Ustad Saami
Pakistan’s Ustad Saami is the last living khayál master, a precursor of the ancient, Islamic devotional music of qawwali. Even under threat of Islamic fundamentalists, the 75-year old master has spent his life as a dedicated practitioner of a vanishing art--one that has been passed on from generation to generation since the 1...
Listen to Sudan Archives' debut album 'Athena'
Today, violinist and vocalist Sudan Archives (Brittney Parks) releases her debut album 'Athena' via Stones Throw. The album is filled with deeply textured tracks that feel contemporary, groovy and powerful at the same time. Parks started to play violin at a young age, which she learned by playing in her local church choir...
Listen/read: Flamenco innovator Lole Montoya: “I would not be able to sing something I’m not feeling”
Already at an early age, Lole Montoya decided that she wanted to dedicate her life to singing. But not only did she indeed become a singer, she also redefined the flamenco genre by bringing in new influences, genres and poetry. Her skill has been displayed across a long repertoire, which includes her work as part of the renowned duo Lole...
Watch: La Blogothèque's Take Away Show with Sudan Archives, captured at LGW17
During Le Guess Who? 2017, the French team of La Blogothèque traveled to Utrecht to record two intimate Take Away Shows at inspiring and special locations in our city. Now, we present the first...
Le Mini Who? 2019 announces full line-up; explore the program via Spotify
Le Mini Who? returns as part of Le Guess Who? 2019 on Sunday, 10 November. As a free spin-off festival of Le Guess Who?, it transforms many of Utrecht’s local bars, restaurants, venues and warehouses into improvised venues for (mainly) Dutch underground bands to play. For its 11th edition on Sunday, 10 November 2019, Le Mini Wh...
Listen to Lido Pimienta's orchestral new album 'La Belleza'
Thrilling experimental pop artist Lido Pimienta spent the past few years studying European classical music to embark on a new ambitious journey. Shifting far from her previous electro pop sound, she remains as captivating and exuberant as ever. Influenced by the solemnity of early Christian hymns, her new album La Belleza is a grand orc...
LA Timpa dives into his catalogue for Crack Magazine
Ahead of his performance at Le Guess Who? 2023, Nigeria-born, Canada-raised producer and musician LA Timpa dives into his catalogue for Crack Magazine and curates a playlist with a selection of powerful, woozy and spectral tracks that resonate with where he is at currently. "Sort of an unofficial or perhaps pre-mature 'Best Of' collectio...
SANAM - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Lebanese free-rock, post-folk sextet SANAM performed live on the opening night of Le Guess Who? 2023, following the release of their debut album 'Aykathani Malakon'. Relive the performance with our concert film, and the audio recording of the show below: About SANAM's music is akin to a ritual, somewhere between a marriage and an exorc...
Video portrait: The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane at Le Guess Who? 2017
Le Guess Who? & de Volkskrant bring you video portraits of artists performing at Le Guess Who? 2017. Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda’s devotion to spirituality defined the final decades o...
Watch: La Blogothèque presents A Take Away Show with serpentwithfeet
Two weeks ago, serpentwithfeet released his first full-length 'soil'; an accomplished exploration of the r&b, gospel, and pop trinity. Now, La Blogothèque has released a stri...
Watch: Minyo Crusaders perform 'Tanko Bushi' for La Blogothèque's Take Away Show
Before their glorious performance at TivoliVredenburg's Grote Zaal during Le Guess Who?, Japanese 10-piece ensemble Minyo Crusaders ventured into Utrecht to perform their song 'Tanko Bushi (炭坑節)', from their praised debut album 'Echoes of Japan', along the city's iconic and picturesque Oudegracht canal, also described as...
Watch: La Blogothèque & LGW present A Take Away Show with Juana Molina
During Le Guess Who? 2017, La Blogothèque traveled to Utrecht to record two intimate Take Away Shows at special locations in our city. After releasing our session with Sudan Archives (recorded...
La Blogotheque & LGW present: A Take Away Show with Wilco
In collaboration with LGW, Paris-based La Blogotheque journeyed to Utrecht to record an intimate Take Away Show with Wilco. For the session, the band performs two songs from their latest album, Schmi...
Colleen announces new double LP; listen to 'Subterranean (Movements I-II-III)'
French artist Cécile Schott, aka Colleen, is fearless when it comes to her willingness to explore new ways of expressing herself as a solo performer. Now, she announces Le jour et la nuit du réel: her first double LP and the follow-up to the glistening ambient pop of 2021's The Tunnel and the Clearing. Le jour et la...
Listen to the Sai Anantam Ashram Singers perform the music of Alice Coltrane live at LGW17
Le Guess Who? 2017 celebrated the life & work of Alice Coltrane with the Sai Anantam Ashram Singers performing her ecstatic music live at the festival. Listen to three tracks of the performan...
James Holden added as curator + more new additions; day tickets on sale now
Electronic sound explorer James Holden is added as curator for Le Guess Who?, hosting multiple stages on Saturday, 11 November. Performing is Moroccan Gnawa musician Maâlem Houssam Guinia &...
Read: Land or Death - United Screens for Palestine at LGW24
United Screens for Palestine is an open and decentralized collective of programmers, cultural workers and venues, responding to the paralysis brought about by the ongoing genocide as well as the increasing policing, censorship and criminalisation of everything Palestinian. As a collective, they aim to make each screening a space for conve...
Watch: Mabe Fratti featuring Shards - Live at Le Guess Who?
As part of her curation at Le Guess Who? 2024, experimental cellist and vocalist Mabe Fratti performed live at the festival together with London-based vocal group Shards. Watch the concert film of the performance, featuring the tracks Kravitz, No Se Ve Desde Acá and Desde el Cielo: With her hypnotic pieces, Mabe Fratti comb...
Guest curators & initial line-up announced for Le Guess Who? 2025
Le Guess Who? returns 6-9 November to Utrecht, The Netherlands, taking place across different venues in and around the city. We now reveal the guest curators and the initial line-up for the 2025 festival edition. More than ever, the program creates a space where the margins become the center, where the overlooked are elevated and where t...
Listen + watch: Alanis Obomsawin live at Le Guess Who? 2017
Filmmaker and songwriter Alanis Obomsawin performed songs from her 1985 album 'Bush Lady' live for the first time at Le Guess Who? 2017, featuring music of the Native American Abenaki people. The perf...
Listen: Kelman Duran drops new mixtape 'MOON CYCLES III'
LA-based Dominican producer Kelman Duran has just released his new mixtape 'MOON CYCLES III', once again featuring a highly distinctive combination of minimalistic reggaeton beats, chopped up voc...
Revealing the full line-up for Le Guess Who? 2018 + day tickets on sale now
We're proud to reveal the full line-up for Le Guess Who? 2018 with 47 new additions to the program. Starting today, day tickets for the festival are also on sale. The final additions to the Le...
Interview: DRINKS: "Nonsense is a good reaction to everything that’s going on"
DRINKS are set to return to Le Guess Who? with a fresh batch of offbeat psych pop vignettes. We linked up with eternal nomads Cate Le Bon and Tim Presley via FaceTime to talk about living off the grid...
Honoring the life & work of Alice Coltrane with a participatory experience at LGW17
The Sai Anantam Ashram Singers - hailing from the Ashram that Alice Coltrane herself founded in LA - perform Coltrane’s ecstatic music which was recorded in seclusion inside the temple. It is th...
Le Guess Who? zoekt: Leden voor de Raad van Toezicht
Le Guess Who? is een internationaal toonaangevend festival voor grensverleggende muziek en cultuur van over de hele wereld. De vijftiende editie vindt plaats van 10 tot en met 13 november 2022 in Utrecht. Le Guess Who? presenteert geluiden die je op andere plekken niet te horen krijgt, maar volgens ons juist aandacht verdienen omdat ze j...
U?, freely accessible city festival for and with creative Utrecht, returns for third edition
U?, the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?, returns to Utrecht on 11 and 12 November 2023 for its third edition. This program is created for, but especially with Utrecht, to celebrate the city's creativity in all its diversity.The festival aims to let as many Utrecht residents as possible come in contact with the sounds, pers...
VluchtelingenWerk partner van LGW18 / Dutch Council for Refugees social partner of LGW18
(English version below) Voor de komende editie van Le Guess Who? (8 t/m 11 november in de gehele binnenstad van Utrecht, werkt de organisatie samen met VluchtelingenWerk, dat maatschappelijk par...
U? presents first Utrecht residency with 45ACIDBABIES
(scroll naar beneden voor de Nederlandse tekst) U?, the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?, returns in 2023 for its third edition. The program of U? is created for, but especially with the city of Utrecht, to celebrate the city’s creativity in all its diversity. With U? we aim to let Utrecht residents come in contact...
Read: Underground Up! - A Stage for Underground Artists
U?, the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?, returns to Utrecht this year with an emphasis on community. As a festival that aims to amplify local communities from the fringe, U? understands the importance of free spaces that are available for creation and for communities to thrive. Words by Gloria MaPhotography by Mirel Masic...
Test your sustainable or social innovation at Le Guess Who? 2023
Test your sustainable or social innovation at Le Guess Who? 2023Test jouw duurzame of sociale innovatie op Le Guess Who? 2023
Photo series at U? 2022
Utrecht based photographer Rogier Boogaard captured documentary photo series of artists involved in the festival.De Utrechtse fotograaf Rogier Boogaard heeft artiesten die betrokken waren bij het festival vastgelegd in documentaire fotoseries.
Read: A Dream of Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, by Julián Mayorga
On Friday, 8 November 2024, Le Guess Who? will witness the magic of legendary Cumbia and Gaita ensemble Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto. To say that we are excited about welcoming them to Utrecht would be a massive understatement. In fact, the influence of this Grammy-winning, generations-spanning band on the trajectory of Latin American musi...
Niño de Elche - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
"This is flamenco punk", said Niño de Elche towards the end of his performance at Le Guess Who?. It's a fitting statement: the Spanish musician, who is also called a 'singer, poet and omnipresent master of ensorcelling souls' has been challenging conservative and picturesque perceptions of flamenco for over two decades. You can re...
Bob van Heur en Anne Marleen de Jong aangesteld als directeur-bestuurders van Le Guess Who?
De Raad van Toezicht van Stichting Le Guess Who maakt bekend dat Bob van Heur en Anne Marleen de Jong per 1 januari 2023 zijn aangesteld als directeur-bestuurders van Le Guess Who?. Zij volgen algemeen directeur Johan Gijsen op. Hans van Soelen, voorzitter Raad van Toezicht: “Als Raad van Toezicht zijn we verheugd met deze tw...
Gonzo (circus) presenteert: de essentiële Le Guess Who? 2019-leeslijst
"De curatoren van Le Guess Who? 2019 maakten een zorgvuldige keuze, maar het aanbod blijft overweldigend.", aldus Gonzo (circus), het Vlaams-Nederlandse magazine voor muziek en andere kunstvormen. De redactie van Gonzo (circus) heeft daar iets op bedacht: De essentiële Le Guess Who? 2019-leeslijst aan de hand van de ke...
Inlezen voor LGW19 met de Volkskrant: duik in de online special met o.a. Iris van Herpen, Ustad Saami, Dries Verhoeven en Holly Herndon
Inlezen voor Le Guess Who? 2019 kan nu ook dankzij de Volkskrant: zij bieden je een online special rondom het festival met verdieping bij het bijzondere programma dit jaar, met onder meer aanraders, recensies en interviews met artiesten. In het online dossier van de Volkskrant onder andere: een reportage over haute couture in Parijs...
Oprichter en algemeen directeur Johan Gijsen neemt na 16 jaar afscheid van Le Guess Who?
In 2007 startte Johan Gijsen samen met Bob van Heur het festival Le Guess Who? om ondervertegenwoordigde muziek een plek te geven. Nu is het festival met zijn genre-doorbrekende programmering wereldwijd toonaangevend en trekt het ieder jaar muziekliefhebbers van over de hele wereld. Johan Gijsen: “Met dezelfde kriebels waarme...
We'll have our very own Le Guess Who? Beer, in collaboration with De Kromme Haring
We’re very happy to announce that we'll have our very own Le Guess Who? Beer for sale at the festival this year. In collaboration with one of Utrecht’s finest microbreweries, De Kromme Har...
Vacature: Le Guess Who? zoekt Zakelijk leider
Le Guess Who? is een festival voor avontuurlijke muziek. Het festival is internationaal toonaangevend en staat bekend om de inspirerende manier waarop grensverleggende muziek wordt gepresenteerd. Vier dagen lang neemt het festival de stad Utrecht over met meer dan 250 optredens in popzalen, theaters, kerken, oude fabriekspanden en werfkel...
Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto release live album recorded at Le Guess Who? 2024
During Le Guess Who? 2024, we witnessed the magic of legendary Cumbia and Gaita ensemble Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, thanks to festival curator Mabe Fratti who invited them to Utrecht. Dubbed "the authentic masters of traditional Colombian Music" by the New Yorker, Latin GRAMMY-winning Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto have toured the world f...
Vier de LGW19 line-up announcement met Ben Shemie (SUUNS)
Op donderdag 19 september onthult Le Guess Who? de volledige line-up voor de komende festivaleditie in EKKO, met optredens van Ben Shemie (SUUNS), Conjunto Papa Upa, Lechuga Zafiro en een speciale editie van Stranded FM x The Current. Ben Shemie, beter bekend als zanger/gitarist van SUUNS is inmiddels geen onbekende meer van Le Gues...
Richard Dawson - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Richard Dawson performed live at Utrecht's Jacobikerk during Le Guess Who? 2023 as part of the program curated by Slauson Malone 1. You can now listen to the British folk master performing Museum (from the 2022 album The Ruby Chord) and Two Halves (from 2020). "The next song is from the point of view of a robot or an AI, somethin...
Le Guess Who? collaborates with Dutch Council for Refugees & NewBees for 'Grant an Entry' initiative
(Nederlandse versie hieronder) With Day Tickets and 4-Day Passes for Le Guess Who? 2022 currently being on sale, we are once again offering the 'Grant an Entry' option in our ticketing system, for which we are continuing our cooperation with the Dutch Council for Refugees and NewBees The 'Grant an Entry' initiative gives festival v...
LGW continues collaboration with Dutch Council for Refugees & Buddy to Buddy for 'Grant an Entry'
(Nederlandse versie hieronder) As part of Le Guess Who? 2023, we are once again initiating the 'Grant an Entry' concept. This initiative gives festival visitors the opportunity to purchase an extra day ticket for people who are also interested in visiting the festival, but do not have the financial resources themselves to do so. V...
Support your locals: browse through our updated Utrecht Treasure Guide
Every November, LGW offers the Utrecht Treasure Guide as a local guide to explore the city. Currently though, everyone is bound to their homes; all cultural activities in the usually so vibrant city of Utrecht are cancelled, and bars and restaurants are closed. That's why we’ve updated the Utrecht Treasure Guide with locations...
Vier de LGW19 line-up announcement met Lechuga Zafiro, 19 september in EKKO
Op donderdag 19 september onthult Le Guess Who? de volledige line-up voor de komende festivaleditie in EKKO, met optredens van Ben Shemie (SUUNS), Conjunto Papa Upa, Lechuga Zafiro en een speciale editie van Stranded FM x The Current. De Uruguayaanse DJ en producer Lechuga Zafiro probeert de grens tussen het verkennende karakter van de c...
Open Call: U? is looking for NL-based community curators
For U? 2024, we are looking for new and eager (aspiring) curators to highlight their communities and creativity at the festival.
Lees: Zware Metalen interviewt Le Guess Who?-curator Kevin Richard Martin (The Bug)
Zware Metalen, het grootste e-zine in het Nederlandse taalgebied voor metalliefhebbers, sprak uitgebreid met Le Guess Who?-curator Kevin Richard Martin, beter bekend als The Bug. Het resultaat is een enerverend gesprek met een specifieke gedachte, aldus Zware Metalen: wat kunnen metalheads leren van Kevin's roekeloze a...
Vier de LGW19 line-up announcement met Conjunto Papa Upa, 19 september in EKKO
Op donderdag 19 september onthult Le Guess Who? de volledige line-up voor de komende festivaleditie in EKKO, met optredens van Ben Shemie (SUUNS), Conjunto Papa Upa, Lechuga Zafiro en een speciale editie van Stranded FM x The Current. Conjunto Papa Upa is de band van Amsterdamse Venezolaan Alex Figueira. De muziek kun je omschrijven als...
Constellation Records reissues Alanis Obomsawin's 1985 album 'Bush Lady'
Acclaimed filmmaker and songwriter Alanis Obomsawin performed songs from her 1985 album 'Bush Lady' live for the very first time at Le Guess Who? 2017, featuring original compositions as well as music...
Track of the Week #18: Boogarins - 'Foimal'
Every week, we bring you a must-hear track from the Le Guess Who? 2018 line-up. This week, we dive into the psychedelic, fleeting world of the Brazilian psych rockers Boogarins. Exploring their...
Track of the Week #19: Madeline Kenney - 'Cut Me Off'
Every week, we bring you a must-hear track from the Le Guess Who? 2018 line-up. This time, we highlight a bubbly, crisp pop tune by American singer-songwriter Madeline Kenney. 'Cut Me Off' is taken f...
Listen: Eli Keszler releases new solo album 'Stadium'
After creating a score for an award-winning visual artist, collaborating via Laurel Halo, and being part of Oneohtrix Point Never's world tour, Eli Keszler is seemingly at the top of his creative...
Félicia Atkinson shares 'You Have to Have Eyes' from upcoming album 'The Flower And The Vessel'
French sound sculptor Félicia Atkinson will release her new album 'The Flower And The Vessel' early next month. The record was was crafted while pregnant on tour, "in impersonal hotel rooms in foreign cities", and is partly influenced by the French classical pieces that shaped her childhood (Maurice Ravel's 'L'enfant et les so...
Listen to French sound sculptor Félicia Atkinson's new album 'The Flower And The Vessel'
Today, Shelter Press just releases Félicia Atkinson's new album 'The Flower And The Vessel'. The French experimental composer and poet was partly influenced by the French classical pieces that shaped her childhood, including Maurice Ravel's 'L'enfant et les sortilèges', Debussy's 'La Mer', and Erik Satie's 'Gymnop&...
Listen to Italia 90's frenzied post-punk on new track 'An Episode'
South London's four-piece Italia 90 returns with the release of 2019 'An Episode': a fierce post-punk track and the first single from their upcoming EP, 'Italia 90 III', which will be out later this year. The distinctive vocal is paired with frenzied and textured guitar work, propulsive percussion and a distorted and dogged...
A day in Utrecht with Minyo Crusaders: AVO Magazine premieres photo series by Juri Hiensch
The Japanese Minyo Crusaders breathe new life into traditional folk songs called ‘minyo’, by merging them with Latin, African and Caribbean rhythms and flourishes of exotica. On Saturday 9 November, the 10-piece ensemble gave a glorious performance at TivoliVredenburg's Grote Zaal as part of Le Guess Who? 2019. Residentia...
Lewsberg - Live at Le Guess Who? 2022
Lewsberg, hailed as "Rotterdam’s answer to The Velvet Underground" by NME, performed live on the opening night of Le Guess Who? 2022. We now share the track 'The Corner' from that performance (taken from their 2021 album 'In Your Hands') just as the band are about to go on an international tour which will bring them to Germany, USA,...
Noori & His Dorpa Band - Live at Le Guess Who? 2022
Sudan's Noori & His Dorpa Band performed live at Le Guess Who? 2022, presented in collaboration with Ostinato Records. Below, you can relive the performance with our video of a part of the concert, as well as the audio of the full show, with a spirited introduction by Ostinato's Vik Sohonie before the band came on stage. Additionall...
Tropical Fuck Storm shares video for new song 'Who's My Eugene?'
Australia's Tropical Fuck Storm, with former The Drones members Gareth Liddiard and Fiona Kitschin, have released a new song and video from their upcoming album 'Braindrops'. 'Who's My Eugene?' is the third single from their new album, to be released 23 August via Joyful Noise/Flightless Records. You can watch a...
Listen: Full Moon Magazine share preview-playlist for Le Guess Who? 2017
Czech's Full Moon Magazine, one of our long-time mediapartners, have put together a playlist previewing Le Guess Who? 2017 with some of their favorite selections. It includes key tracks from Grouper,...
Beatmaker, DJ & 'king amongst cratediggers' Kutmah added to Le Guess Who? program
We couldn’t resist: we’ve added beatmaker, DJ & 'king amongst cratediggers' Kutmah to the line-up for Le Guess Who? 2017. This will be a DJ set on Friday, 10 November in TivoliVredenbu...
Watch Perfume Genius perform 'Wreath' on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last night, Perfume Genius was a musical guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live on American television, performing No Shape's 'Wreath'. Two days before, Perfume Genius recorded a session for KCRW, performing a.o....
Sarah Davachi explores meditative music for Red Bull Radio
Canadian artist Sarah Davachi's creates immersive soundscapes with a playful exchange between ancient acoustic instrumentation and analogue synths. For the newest edition of Red Bull Radio, Davac...
Playlist: Club Cuts - explore the club-affiliated music of Le Guess Who? 2018
Le Guess Who? 2018 features a wide variety of club & dancefloor-oriented music, which we've now brought together in one playlist for you to explore. Check out the 'Club Cuts of Le Guess Who? 2018'...
Slauson Malone 1 releases new album 'EXCELSIOR'
Slauson Malone 1 is the musical project and performance piece of artist Jasper Marsalis. With this project he explores the intersections of popular music and performance art. Following two critically acclaimed prior releases — 2019’s A Quiet Farwell, 2016-2018 (Crater Speak) and 2020’s Vergangenheitsbewältigung (Cra...
MHYSA shares new album 'Release Control'
MHYSA is the underground popstar alter ego of multidisciplinary artist E. Jane. In her experimental club tracks, she channels the legacies of Black women icons into visions of utopias. Born in Maryland, E. Jane was enamored with singing form an early age, performing at church and school. Since 2015, they has been developing the perf...
Revealing the full program for COSMOS 2023
COSMOS is Le Guess Who?’s globe-spanning initiative that amplifies exciting music scenes from around the world through films, interviews, performances, and artist residencies. We now reveal the full 2023 line-up, after previously announcing the Embassies and COSMOS Live, the first-ever live program, to be presented at Le Guess Who?...
Nusantara Beat announce second EP ‘Kota Bandung / Layung’
Nusantara Beat is an Amsterdam-based six-piece, consisting of members of EUT, Altın Gün, Jungle By Night, POM and Surf Aid-Kit. Through Swiss label Les Disques Bongo Joe and Indonesian label La Munai Records (who are also one of our COSMOS Embassies this year), they now announce the release of their second EP, on which they breathe n...
Listen: COSMOS on Refuge Worldwide with ICRN and Buh Records
Every first Monday of the month, COSMOS broadcasts episodes of their radio show on Refuge Worldwide, highlighting their deep-running network of partners from around the world. On Monday, 2 September, from 4-6 PM, COSMOS returns with two new episodes. Buh Records The first hour is curated by Peruvian avant-garde stalwarts Buh Records who...
Listen: 'Sucio' by LYZZA x DJ Babatr, from upcoming Chromesthesia compilation album
On Friday, 8 November 2024, the compilation album Chromesthesia: the Colour of Sound Vol. 1 is set to be released. Brainchild of British-Egyptian historian Hannah Elsisi (NYU AD, Cambridge), Chromesthesia—aptly named "the colour of sound"— tracks afro-diasporic rhythms from the Whole Mangrove World. Now, the first single from...
COSMOS Embassy Mix Vol. 1: Rắn Cạp Đuôi Collective (HCMC, Vietnam)
This year, COSMOS once again proudly partners up with acts, institutions, and collectives from around the globe. The 2023 Embassies are located in Vietnam, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Greece, UAE, Peru and Ghana. In order to introduce the amazing talents behind these collaborations, we're starting a new interview & music series call...
Read: Istanbul’s Creative Scene Unites in Times of Crisis
Interview: Ozan Tekin x IDGK “İstanbul’u Dinliyorum Gözlerim Kapalı” is the title of a poem by Turkish poet Orhan Veli Kanık. It beautifully describes a city best experienced with all senses wide open. A sentiment that our 2025 COSMOS Embassy IDGK shares so much, that they’ve borrowed their name acronym from...
Attend online: Hidden Musics artists Etran de L’Aïr, live in Agadez, filmed in classic Agadez wedding style
Etran de L'Aïr, which translates to the Stars of the Aïr, is a music group based in Agadez, Northern Niger. Agadez is famous for its music production as well as the one-of-a-kind "desert blues." The group, founded in 1995, is regarded as one of the longest-running and best-performing bands in Agadez. Today, September 3rd, you'l...
The Daily Indie neemt je mee op wereldreis door het programma van LGW18
The Daily Indie neemt je mee op wereldreis. Door middel van een interactieve kaart leiden ze je door het programma van Le Guess Who? 2018. Ga op bezoek bij en ontdek: Carnatische muziekpion...
Video portrait: Lucrecia Dalt: grasping the spontaneity of drawing for Centraal Museum's De Line Up
Colombian ambient producer Lucrecia Dalt composed a commissioned piece for the exhibition De Line Up at Centraal Museum Utrecht, which displays a rich overview of the power of drawing from the 1950s to the present. We caught up with the exhibition's curator Robbie Cornelissen at the opening of the show, and visited Lucrecia Dalt in Polan...
Le Guess Who? supports new initiative 'Geef een Toegift'
(Nederlandse versie hieronder) Between a partnership of more than 40 Dutch festival, a new initiative emerged, called ‘Geef een Toegift’ (‘Give an Encore’). Festival visitors...
Le Guess Who? presenteert gratis programma tijdens Culturele Zondag
Pinkstermaandag 5 juni in LE:EN, Utrecht, met: Six Organs of Admittance, Baby Dee en Faarjam.
Le Guess Who?-oprichters Johan Gijsen en Bob van Heur ontvangen Utrechtse Maartenspenning van burgemeester Sharon Dijksma
Op donderdagavond werd in TivoliVredenburg de Maartenspenning uitgereikt aan Johan Gijsen en Bob van Heur, oprichters van het internationale festival Le Guess Who?. De stedelijke onderscheiding is in het leven geroepen voor bestuurders die zich op cultureel terrein op een buitengewone manier voor Utrecht hebben ingezet. Burgemeester Shar...
(...) Centraal releases debut single 'Spokenjong'
(scroll naar beneden voor de Nederlandse tekst) For a long time, the Utrecht collective (...) Centraal was hardly visible online, but that has now changed: on June 30, their debut single 'Spokenjong' was released. It is the first single from their upcoming EP. “The collective of (…) Centraal makes everythi...
Open Call: participate in U?, the freely accessible day program of Le Guess Who?
(scroll naar beneden voor de Nederlandse tekst) U? is the freely accessible day program of Le Guess Who? In 2023, U? takes place on 11 & 12 November. With this open call, we want to give everyone with ideas the opportunity to participate. The program of U? consists a multitude of events and activities which are c...
De Mannen Broeders (Colin H. van Eeckhout x broeder Dieleman) release collaborative album 'Sober Maal'
In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new collaboration was initiated between Amenra's Colin H. van Eeckhout and idiosyncratic folk artist broeder Dieleman. With a live premiere scheduled at LGW that year, unfortunately this has to be cancelled last-minute due to COVID restrictions, but the duo did record a collaborative album, support...
Le Guess Who? offers Low Income Day Tickets for 2025 edition
(Nederlandse tekst hieronder) Following the success of last year's pilot, we are continuing to offer Low Income Day Tickets for Le Guess Who? 2025. This initiative is specifically for those who otherwise would not be able to attend the festival. This initiative arises from the fact that we hear that the ticket price is still one of the...
LGW Treasure Guide 2021: explore some of the best places to visit during your stay in Utrecht
As Le Guess Who? will finally return to Utrecht after two years, we'd like to present some of our favourite spots in the city with this year's Utrecht Treasure Guide. Discover some of the city's best places to visit: think bookstores, record shops, hairdressers, bars and restaurants. All of these locations are unquestionably worth visiti...
FLOHIO - Live at Le Guess Who? 2021
Following the release of her debut ‘No Panic No Pain’, south London rapper FLOHIO performed at TivoliVredenburg’s Ronda during Le Guess Who? 2021. You can now relive the performance; listen to the full show below: "Lagos born, South London based MC, Flohio is ready to rage her way to the top of rap, passing by grime,...
Lees: The Daily Indie duikt in het universum van Le Guess Who?-curatoren Moon Duo
The Daily Indie sprak uitgebreid met Le Guess Who?-curatoren Ripley Johnson en Sanae Yamada, beter bekend als Moon Duo. The Daily Indie neemt een duik in het leven van het duo, hun muziek en hun curatorschap op het festival. Het duo bracht eind september hun zevende plaat 'Stars Are The Light' uit, geïnspireerd door disco, funk...
Lightning Bolt - Live at Le Guess Who? 2019
Powerhouse duo Lightning Bolt performed live at Le Guess Who? 2019 in Utrecht, The Netherlands, marking the 25th Anniversary of the band. The performance was curated by Patrick Higgins. Now, we're pleased to help you relive this intense show in both video and audio, captured at 2AM on Friday night at the festival. Listen + watch more Le...
The 17 favorite performances of LGW17, as chosen by you
Every year in our visitors survey right after the festival, we ask you what your favorite performance of the festival. Below are your 17 choices of Le Guess Who? 2017. We're pleased to also share the...
Bekijk The Daily Indie's talkshow met Ancienne Belgique, Welcome To The Village en LGW
The Daily Indie, een van de mediapartners van Le Guess Who? dit jaar, deelt hun allereerste talkshow: een gesprek met Kurt Overbergh, artistiek directeur van AB Brussel; Peter Reen, programm...
Listen: Pan African Music premieres the recordings of Les Filles de Illighadad at Le Guess Who? 2016
In collaboration with Vrije Geluiden, we recorded one of the performances of Niger's Les Filles de Illighadad at Le Guess Who? 2016. Pan African Music now premieres these recordings, ahead of the rele...
Watch: VPRO Vrije Geluiden sessions with Etran de L'Aïr, Víctor Herrero, Ored Recordings, Mazaher & Mario Batkovic at LGW21
During Le Guess Who? 2021, VPRO Vrije Geluiden recorded live sessions with multiple artists who performed at the festival. All sessions are now online, featuring Etran de L’Aïr, Víctor Herrero, Mario Batkovic, Mazaher, and Zaur Nagoy in collaboration with Jrpjej, presented by Ored Recordings. Mazaher, Ored Recordi...
Le Guess Who? Treasure Guide 2022: Explore some of Utrecht's loveliest hidden treasures
With its cosy and colourful atmosphere, picturesque canals, breathtaking medieval city centre and buzzing nightlife, the city of Utrecht is a hidden gem full of lovely people and stunning places. Selected with great care, Le Guess Who? would like to introduce you to the 2022 edition of the festival's Treasure Guide. In the mood for...
Open Call: participate in U?, the freely accessible day program of Le Guess Who?
(scroll naar beneden voor de Nederlandse tekst) U? is the participatory & freely accessible day program of Le Guess Who?, which returns 10-13 November to Utrecht. It hosts a multitude of events and activities which are created for and with local citizens, initiatives, entrepreneurs, social institutions and community centers. U? featu...
NAR & 3voor12 Utrecht join forces for U?
(scroll naar beneden voor de Nederlandse tekst) NAR and 3voor12 Utrecht have wanted to collaborate for a long time, and now, it’s finally happening. The program contains music with influences from different countries and various music styles. The bands and music are both challenging and exciting, aligning with the festival’s...
Watch: Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra & Arion de Munck present 'Hadra Immersive' at LGW24
A transcendental opening ceremony took place at the start of Le Guess Who? 2024, thanks to a special collaboration between the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra and visual artist Arion de Munck, who presented the world premiere of Hadra Immersive at the festival. The Hadra is an ancient northern Moroccan ceremony that leads participan...
Listen to Circuit des Yeux cover Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes' 1969 song 'Soeur de Race'
In a new episode of Red Bull Radio's Open End, Circuit des Yeux premiered her cover of 'Soeur de Race', from French-Portuguese avant-garde singer Catherine Ribeiro. With her band Alpes, Ribeiro r...
LGW Treasure Guide: discover our selection of Utrecht's most exciting spots & shops
With many idyllic canals, a medieval city centre, the vibrant nightlife, and an overload of cultural activities, the city of Utrecht has some incredible discoveries in store for you. Selected with great care, Le Guess Who? would like to introduce to you this year's Utrecht Treasure Guide. Here is an interactive map, showing...
Watch: Les Filles de Illighadad in session for Vrije Geluiden
After their three performances at Le Guess Who? 2016, Niger's Les Filles de Illighadad returned to the Netherlands this week for a studio session + interview for Vrije Geluiden. Watch the full recordi...
Revealing the full program for U? 2024
Lees hier de tekst in het Nederlands. U?, the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?, celebrates local and creative communities based in the Netherlands, with a strong focus on Utrecht. From 8-10 November 2024, U? returns for its 4th edition. The 2024 program for U? is now revealed, featuring a festival playground taking place...
LGW & de Volkskrant meet up with Sudan Archives: watch our video portrait
Le Guess Who? & de Volkskrant bring you video portraits of artists performing at Le Guess Who? 2017. We meet Sudan Archives in Los Angeles just before she leaves for her first ever European tour....
LGW & de Volkskrant meet up with Perfume Genius: watch our video portrait
Le Guess Who? & de Volkskrant bring you video portraits of artists performing at Le Guess Who? 2017. We meet up with Perfume Genius’ Mike Hadreas to discuss his live performance, and his cu...
Audio archive update: Tout-Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou live at LGW15
We've just updated our audio archive with Tout-Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou's full performance at Le Guess Who? 2015. Listen below: About: ‘The all-powerful polyrhythmic orchestr...
U?: listen to the debut album of ominous hip-hop duo Kleine Crack & Slagter
(Nederlandse tekst hieronder)Kleine Crack is a Belgian artist signed to hip-hop label Burning Fik, the label of Faberyayo (De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig) and Abel (Hang Youth). The cult rapper and his producer-teammate Slagter create ominous hip-hop, set to heavy beats and scary lyrics. In their hometown Antwerp they are stalwarts of the scen...
Announcing U?, Le Guess Who?'s largest free day program to date
U? is Le Guess Who’s participatory and freely accessible day program, made for–and with–the city of Utrecht. With U?, Le Guess Who? extends its mission to enrich people through music and culture even further to the city. From 10 to 13 November 2022, U? returns for its second edition. This year, even more neighborhoods a...
Duik in de LGW23-special van Gonzo (circus)
"Le Guess Who? is voor ons nooit een vraagteken, maar een dik uitroepteken", aldus Gonzo (circus). In aanloop naar Le Guess Who? 2023 publiceert het muziek- en cultuurtijdschrift nu een online special met interviews met ZULI, 3Phaz, SANAM's Sandy Chamoun, Richard Dawson en Ale Hop; een luistertest met Bill Orcutt; en een route met festiva...
Baby’s Berserk unveils self-titled debut album
(scroll naar beneden voor de Nederlandse tekst) Amsterdam dance-punk quartet Baby’s Berserk releases their self-titled debut album via Berlin’s Toy Tonics label. Drawing inspiration from the eighties' new wave and indie dance music, the album, composed by Mano Hollestelle, boasts highly associative lyrics from Puggy Beales a...
U? presents IJzersterk at HE:LEEN Festival
(scroll naar beneden voor de Nederlandse tekst) On Saturday 9 September, U? presents a program at HE:LEEN Festival in the Le Guess Who? office. This year, HE:LEEN Festival returns to Rotsoord for a new edition full of talented musicians, artists and performers. The festival highlights the creative and energetic appearance of the area. I...
Lees: Gonzo (circus) specials over Le Guess Who? 2018 + abonnee-actie
Gonzo (circus) is een Vlaams/Nederlands magazine gericht op vooruitstrevende muziek en cultuur. Het magazine is mediapartner van Le Guess Who? 2018, en dit jaar werken we uitgebreider samen dan ooit.&...
Podcast: listen to part 2 of 'For the Record'
Le Guess Who? presents 'The Big Playback', a podcast about all things music. Episode 3 is a four-part series entitled 'For the Record', exploring the role of the archivist from all angles, released in weekly installments. In this new series, host Margaret Munchheimer talks to an independent archival collective in Indonesia; a sound and p...
Watch: Ndox Electrique live at Le Guess Who?
Relive Ndox Electrique live at Le Guess Who?, the first international performance of the genre-blurring musical ensemble that originated in Senegal, and whose music is inspired by an ancient ritual of the spirit-world originating from Senegal’s n’döep ceremonies. About How does one put Ndox Electrique into mere...
Concert film: Kamilya Jubran - Live at Le Guess Who?
Palestinian-born, Paris-based musician Kamilya Jubran, one of the most revered figures in the experimental and alternative Arabic music scenes, performs at Le Guess Who? 2023, curated by Heba Kadry. Relive the mesmerizing performance with our concert film. About Raised by her music-loving parents in Galilee, for 20 years she was...
Read: Identifying the queer Indonesian diasporic community
Based between Amsterdam and Berlin, Insan Larasati is a community organizer, DJ, designer and inclusivity officer. With artist Shasti Andara they founded Nusaqueer Diaspora, an open-structured collective that focuses on community events for the Indonesian and Southeast Asian Archipelagan queer diaspora. Freshly graduated from the Willem...
Listen to Shabaka & The Ancestors’ powerful performance at LGW17, curated by James Holden
We've made the stream of Shabaka & The Ancestors' powerful performance at Le Guess Who? 2017 available now, which was curated by James Holden for the festival. Listen to British jazz s...
Video: Aldous Harding performs 'Designer' and 'The Barrel' live at Le Guess Who? 2019
Following the release of her latest album ‘Designer’ last year, New Zealand songwriter Aldous Harding performed at Le Guess Who? 2019, becoming one of the audience’s highlights of the 13th edition of the festival. The show rendered instrumentation and voice into the most vivid and impressionistic of scenes. Harding&...
Premiere: Old Time Relijun share video for 'Break Through', from upcoming album 'Musicking'
After more than a decade of silence, we're absolutely thrilled to announce the return of Old Time Relijun, "one of the most distinctive and feral rock groups", in the words of The Stranger. Headed by the idiosyncratic Arrington de Dionyso, the group is celebrated for their raw and life-affirming songwriting. After qui...
Ex-Easter Island Head - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
When UK-based experimental collective Ex-Easter Island Head steps on stage, the electric guitar - an instrument whose possibilities sometimes seem to have been exhausted - is born anew. Mechanical preparations, extended techniques; call it what you want, but, to us, it's more like auditory magic. Watch our concert film of the group...
CTA Tickets
Le Guess Who? takes pace across 20 locations in the city center of Utrecht; ranging from churches and galleries to theaters and pop venues. Most are within walking distance from each other. Here are a couple highlighted.
Watch Lightning Bolt perform live at LGW19 + stream full set, marking the band's 25th Anniversary
Powerhouse duo Lightning Bolt performed live at Le Guess Who? 2019 in Utrecht, The Netherlands, marking the 25th Anniversary of the band. The performance was curated by Patrick Higgins. Now, we're pleased to help you relive this intense show in both video and audio, captured at 2AM on Friday night at the festival. Listen + watch more Le...
17 & 24 November op NPO1: Vrije Geluiden LGW specials met o.a. Cate Le Bon, Aldous Harding en Efterklang
VPRO Vrije Geluiden was aanwezig op Le Guess Who? 2019 en maakte twee prachtige televisiespecials die op zondag 17 en 24 november werden uitgezonden op NPO1. Daarin zijn zowel sessies met festivalartiesten, opgenomen door Vrije Geluiden in het Academiegebouw in Utrecht, als live registraties van het festival te zien. Zondag 24 november:...
Le Mini Who? moves to new area Cartesius for 2019 edition
For Le Guess Who? spin-off festival Le Mini Who?, 2019 marks the move to Cartesius. Le Mini Who? transforms local bars, restaurants, venues and warehouses into improvised venues for (mainly) Dutch underground bands to play. For its 11th edition on Sunday 10 November, Le Mini Who? settles in the Cartesius area, located in the nor...
Revealing our new satellite event: 'Untitled', featuring exhibitions, film screenings, talks & more
We are excited to present you a new satellite event during Le Guess Who? 2018: ‘Untitled’. The program focuses on all disciplines other than music and is an exploration of other artistic e...
Explore Han Bennink's curated program for Le Guess Who? 2017
(artwork by Emma Fischer) At a very young age, Han Bennink started drumming for his grandparents on pans and cookie cans, and with curtain rods as sticks. All over the world, Bennink is celebrat...
Le Mini Who? announces full line-up
Le Mini Who? is a spin-off festival of Le Guess Who?. It transforms many of Utrecht’s shops and bars into improvised venues for (mainly) Dutch underground bands to play, where people jostle for...
Video portraits: Elza Soares, Julia Holter, Lee Ranaldo & more at LGW16
Le Guess Who? & de Volkskrant bring you video portraits of artists performing at Le Guess Who? 2016. We meet legendary Brazilian protest singer Elza Soares before her performance, and talk...
Le Mini Who? 2018 announces full line-up; explore the program via Spotify
Le Mini Who? returns as part of Le Guess Who? 2018 on Saturday, 10 November. As a spin-off festival of Le Guess Who?, it transforms many of Utrecht’s local bars, restaurants, venues and warehous...
Le Guess Who? wins prestigious European Jazz Network Award for Adventurous Programming
The European Jazz Network (EJN) is the Europe-wide association of 170+ organizations and promoters from 34 countries who specialize in creative music, contemporary jazz and improvised music. Every year since 2012, the EJN awards a European promoter who succeeds to create visionary and fascinating musical programs. Le Guess Who? is...
Listen/watch: Faust IV live at Le Guess Who? 2021, premiered by The Wire
The cult album Faust IV was the fourth studio album released by the German krautrock group in 1973. Reimagining the music from the iconic album, Faust IV was performed live at Le Guess Who? 2021 as part of the curated program by OSEES' John Dwyer. Faust IV Live! captured the strange magic that then and now defines Faust as an entity unto...
Listen & relive: Rival Consoles at Le Guess Who? 2022
London-based producer Ryan Lee West, aka Rival Consoles, performed live at Le Guess Who? 2022 as part of the program curated by clipping., following the release of latest album ‘Now Is’. You can now listen to and relive the full performance below. AboutThroughout his critically acclaimed fifteen-year career, Rival Con...
Listen: Dreamcrusher releases 'Live at Le Guess Who? 2022' for Bandcamp Friday
Dreamcrusher, the project of multidisciplinary artist Luwayne Glass, performed live at Le Guess Who? 2022 as part of the program curated by clipping. You can now listen to his performance below, released via Dreamcrusher for Bandcamp Friday. Live at Le Guess Who? 2022 by DREAMCRUSHER AboutDreamcrusher began on Kansas-born, New Yor...
Donation options Turkey & Syria
The destruction caused by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria has been immense. Many cities and towns have been completely destroyed. Tens of thousands of people have died, and countless others are still missing or left homeless under heavy circumstances. Below, we have gathered different donation options. If you are able to, then p...
Video recap: Student Exhibition 'Celebrate' as part of LGW Education Program 2022
As part of Le Guess Who?'s Education Program in 2022, students of five classes from three high schools in Utrecht created artworks inspired by festival artists: their music, culture, and background stories. During the festival, we hosted an art exhibition at De Havenloods as part of our free day program U? to display all the works that...
Listen: Lewsberg performs 'The Corner' live at Le Guess Who? 2022
Lewsberg, hailed as "Rotterdam’s answer to The Velvet Underground" by NME, performed live on the opening night of Le Guess Who? 2022. We now share the track 'The Corner' from that performance (taken from their 2021 album 'In Your Hands') just as the band are about to go on an international tour which will bring them to Germany, USA,...
Irreversible Entanglements release new album ‘Protect Your Light’
Irreversible Entanglements, the free jazz collective hailed by NPR as “Perhaps the most thrilling band in jazz right now,” has released their new album Protect Your Light. Released through Impulse! Records, this album marks a significant milestone in the world of experimental jazz. The group is comprised of vocalist Cama...
Listen to Le Cri du Caire's mesmerizing performance at Le Guess Who? 2023
One year ago, Le Cri du Caire released their hauntingly beautiful, self-tilted debut album. We are now thrilled to share the recording of their mesmerizing performance at Utrecht's Jacobikerk during Le Guess Who? 2023, where the group performed the majority of the album, as well as new material. AboutSinger, writer, poet, and expressio...
U? kondigt samenwerking met Music Moves aan
U?, het gratis toegankelijke stadsprogramma van Le Guess Who?, kondigt met enthousiasme een nieuwe samenwerking met Music Moves aan. Music Moves is een trainingsprogramma waarin je een eigen muziek event organiseert voor mensen die daar niet vanzelfsprekend toegang tot hebben. De dansvloer is vrijheid, een plek om elkaar te ontdekken en...
U? presents Elekufiya at HE:LEEN Festival
(scroll naar beneden voor de Nederlandse tekst) On Saturday 14 September, U? presents a program at HE:LEEN Festival in the Le Guess Who? office. This year, HE:LEEN Festival returns to Rotsoord for a new edition full of talented musicians, artists and performers. The festival highlights the creative and energetic appearance of the area....
COSMOS Embassy Announcement: U? (Utrecht, NL)
COSMOS x U? announce their 2024 Embassy in Utrecht, the Netherlands For the first time since its inception, U? – Le Guess Who’s freely accessible city program – enlists five Community Curators from different cities, to bring fresh new perspectives to the Utrecht’s subcultural network. What they all have in common...
Listen: Alex Zhang Hungtai - Live at Le Guess Who?
Over the years, Taiwanese-born, Montréal-hailing Alex Zhang Hungtai (formerly Dirty Beaches) has dived fully into the role of composer. Tinkering with the saxophone, synthesizers, percussion, and piano, Zhang has embraced the free form, focusing on explorations of improvised music, free jazz, and ritualistic music of liminality....
LGW collaborates with Choo-Choo for easy and sustainable international train journeys
As we’re gearing up for Le Guess Who? 2023, we are proud to present a new collaboration with Choo-Choo to offer visitors an easy and sustainable way to book their international train journeys to and from the festival. With Choo-Choo you can travel sustainable by train to & from different European cities. These routes are...
U? returns to Utrecht for its fifth edition
U?, the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?, returns 8 & 9 November to Utrecht for its fifth edition. Through public programming, U? aims to connect people and foster personal encounters. U? is dedicated to celebrating local and creative communities based in the Netherlands, with a strong focus on Utrecht. On Saturday, 8...
Watch/listen: Maurice Louca's Fera - Live at Le Guess Who?
Fera is a wild and adventurous new work that Egyptian artist Maurice Louca wrote over a four-year period. It was performed live at Le Guess Who? 2024 together with Ayman Asfour as part of Chromesthesia, curated by Hannah Elsisi. Below, you can watch Barĩy from the captivating performance and listen to the full audio of the show. ...
Nihiloxica - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Nihiloxica exploded out of Kampala in 2017 with their groundbreaking fusion of Bugandan drumming and UK bass. The band explores the darkest depths between two separate cultures of dance music, uniting abrasive club electronics with raucous percussive energy. At Le Guess Who? 2023, the group presented their late latest album 'Source of De...
Watch Black Country, New Road perform new songs on ARTE's 'Echoes' with Jehnny Beth
The enigmatic Black Country, New Road became a steadfast live sensation with their mixture of post-punk, ashen Slint-like minimalism and pastoral dark folk leanings. Recently, the band signed to the more electronic-driven Ninja Tune label, for the release of their debut album 'For The First Time' in early February. Recent...
Lombok Festival 2018 announces complete program
In a couple of weeks, our satellite event Lombok Festival will return as part of Le Guess Who?, highlighting this vibrantly diverse neighborhood of Utrecht. The event is organized...
Blanck Mass amongst final line-up additions + announcing venue hosts
Today, we announce three final line-up additions for Le Guess Who? 2018, including a performance by British electronic musician/producer Blanck Mass. We are also sharing some venue hosts during the festival; find their descriptions below & see when/where they are hosting in our downloadable time schedules. Blanck Mass Sin...
Audio archive update: Elza Soares live at Le Guess Who? 2016
After eight decades of triumph and tragedy, Brazilian protest singer Elza Soares is lauded as queen of samba and a powerful voice against repression and injustice relating to gender, race, sexual orie...
Video portrait: Jerusalem In My Heart at Le Guess Who? 2017
Le Guess Who? & de Volkskrant bring you video portraits of artists performing at Le Guess Who? 2017. Jerusalem In My Heart is the main project of Lebanon-born, Montreal-based artist and producer...
Video portrait: Han Bennink at Le Guess Who? 2017
Le Guess Who? & de Volkskrant bring you video portraits of artists performing at Le Guess Who? 2017. Han Bennink, the world’s most resourceful drummer, celebrated his 75th birthday at Le Gu...
Meet Leonie Bos; this year's Le Guess Who? Illustrator
Besides the artwork and typography done yearly by Loudmouth Utrecht, Le Guess Who? each year invites a different illustrator to design the main festival images, which evolves during multiple line-up a...
Watch: Le Guess Who? & Volkskrant video portrait of James Holden
Le Guess Who? & de Volkskrant bring you video portraits of artists performing at Le Guess Who? 2017. We visit James Holden in his London studio to discuss his new album 'The Animal Spirits', play...
Explore Grouper’s curated program for Le Guess Who? 2017
(artwork by Grouper's Liz Harris) Liz Harris aka Grouper is one of the most prominent and inspiring musicians exploring the space between sound and song. While mostly ambient based, her compositions...
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. Bu...
Join Le Feast: home-chefs in Utrecht transform their living room into a brunch restaurant
Le Feast invites you into a living room in Utrecht, to enjoy a feast together with people you don't know (yet). Would you like to join as a home-chef or guest? You can now sign up!Le Feast nodigt je uit in een huiskamer in Utrecht om samen met mensen die je (nog) niet kent te genieten van een feestmaal. Lijkt het je leuk om deel te nemen...
Watch Noori & His Dorpa Band live at LGW22 + read Pan African Music interview
Sudan's Noori & His Dorpa Band performed live at Le Guess Who? 2022, presented in collaboration with Ostinato Records. Below, you can relive the performance with our video of a part of the concert, as well as the audio of the full show, with a spirited introduction by Ostinato's Vik Sohonie before the band came on stage. Additionall...
Lees: het LGW22-dossier van Gonzo (circus) met o.a. GNOD, billy woods en Liz Harris
Gonzo (circus) is een Vlaams-Nederlands magazine voor vernieuwende muziek en andere kunstvormen, en is al jarenlang partner van Le Guess Who?. In aanloop naar LGW22 presenteert Gonzo (circus) nu een dossier met interviews met en artikelen over onder andere GNOD, billy woods, Divide and Dissolve en Liz Harris (The Garbage Man). Ook is er e...
LGW x IDFA: film program during LGW22 at Slachtstraat Filmtheater
This year, LGW is collaborating with IDFA, one of the world's leading documentary events. IDFA believes in the power of documentary film as a high-quality, artistic form of information and reflection. We’re presenting a film program on Friday, Saturday & Sunday during LGW22. This program is screened at Slachtstraat Filmtheater...
Ndox Electrique announce debut album ‘Tëdd ak Mame Coumba Lamba ak Mame Mbang’
Originating in Senegal, Ndox Electrique is a genre-blurring musical ensemble that blends electronically-infused avant-rock with the intense, ritualistic vocal chants and rhythmic percussion of the Lebu people's n'doëp ceremony. Their debut album, Tëdd ak Mame Coumba Lamba ak Mame Mbang, is set to be released on November 3, prom...
Revealing the full program for Le Guess Who? 2024
Widely considered to be one of the most forward-thinking festivals, Le Guess Who? exists to platform fresh perspectives on what is possible in music. Artists from all over the world offer insights into the unprecedented diversity of human creativity. Le Guess Who? returns 7-10 November 2024 for its 17th edition in Utrecht, The Netherland...
Photo series: Touching Bass presents INNA at LGW24 by 36framez
Touching Bass is a London-based musical movement founded by Errol and Alex Rita, comprised of a community-come-club night, record label, staple NTS Radio show, concert series and curatorial studio. Since its inception, Touching Bass has steadily established itself as one of London’s most important musical incubators, gaining cult s...
12-Hour Drone in former factory Pastoefabriek: from sitar and cello bass drones to shamanic noise
An immersive event and all-encompassing experience, 24-Hour Drone is a roving, international series presented by Basilica Hudson and Le Guess Who?, featuring musicians and sound artists...
Accessibility
Le Guess Who? aims to present a festival that is accessible for everyone, but unfortunately not all festival venues are equally accessible. Please have a look below or at the specific venue pages for more information. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us via accessibility@leguesswho.com. Website accessibili...
Listen to South African collective SPAZA's soundtrack album 'UPRIZE!'
South African collective SPAZA released their new album ‘Uprize!’ last month. It was recorded in 2016 as the soundtrack for Sifiso Khanyile's 2017 documentary of the same name, which tells the history of the 1976 uprisings in Soweto against the racist apartheid government. On the album, the SPAZA ensemble displays a mixture o...
Revealing the full line-up for Le Guess Who? 2021 with 70 new program additions
Le Guess Who? exists to bring people together through art and music, and despite the uncertainty of the times we have continued to work toward that end. Some things might change, and some things will change, but we have put together a festival for 2021 that we are extremely proud of, and will bring it to you in whatever form possible.&nbs...
Introducing Siti Muharam, the 'golden voice of Zanzibar' & great granddaughter of taarab legend Siti Binti Saad
Zanzibar singer Siti Muharam, the great granddaughter of famed taarab singer Siti Binti Saad, brings a modern twist to taarab on her debut album ‘Siti of Unguja'. Her show at Le Guess Who? 2021 will mark her first ever European performance. Taarab is a popular music genre in Tanzania and Kenya, combining musical elements from A...
Radio Philharmonic Orchestra perform Alexander Scriabin's ghostly 'Le Poème du Feu' with light organ at LGW21
Le Guess Who? 2021 will see the festival joining forces with the esteemed Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1945. It's not the first time we're collaborating though: in 2017, the orchestra performed Lili Boulanger's towering 'Du Fond De L'Abîme' at our festival. This year, the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra will honor...
Watch a video portrait of Egyptian Zar ensemble Mazaher
Mazaher are a small group of mostly women musicians and singers who play Zãr music: chanting songs and playing hypnotic polyrhythms traditionally used as a purification and exorcism ritual to help pacify and cleanse the human spirit. Zar practitioners have been stigmatized because of this exorcist tradition and the aim of...
Vrije Geluiden broadcasts 3 live sessions with LGW OFF artists
In the weekend of 14 & 15 November, Dutch broadcaster VPRO Vrije Geluiden recorded live sessions with artists who were supposed to perform at LGW OFF. At Utrecht's De Nijverheid, Vrije Geluiden captured performances of Indu Panday, Andy Moor & Yannis Kyriakides, and Sun-Mi Hong & Alistair Payne. For many years Le G...
Faiz Ali Faiz - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Pakistani singer Faiz Ali Faiz gave a spectacular performance as one of the closing acts of Le Guess Who? 2023. You can now relive this glorious moment with our concert film, as well as the full audio of the show. "Another kind of passion was found in the lovely old Vredenburg hall with the transcendent qawwali of Faiz Ali Faiz a...
Listen to Kali Malone's opening performance at LGW19, curated by The Bug
US-born, Stockholm-based minimalist artist and apprenticing organ tuner Kali Malone gave a special organ performance in TivoliVredenburg's Grote Zaal as opening of Le Guess Who? 2019. The performance was part of The Bug's curated program for the festival. We can now share two exceptionally beautiful pieces from the performance: 'Sa...
Important info: wristband pick-up at Le Guess Who? 2019
Upon arrival at the festival, you will need to exchange your ticket for a festival wristband to ensure entrance to all the festival venues. Like last year, our Ticket & Info area is located in TivoliVredenburg on the ground floor. Please note: - You can only exchange your ticket for a wristband at our ticket desk in Tivoli...
Press 2021
Press Archive Our archive includes press previews, reports and interviews for LGW21. Have a look at all published articles at the link below. VISIT PRESS ARCHIVE
Vicky Chow gives special performance at Domplein during Keys of Light this Thursday
Before Vicky Chow's performance in TivoliVredenburg's Hertz this Thursday (curated by Patrick Higgins), the Canadian piano virtuoso will perform at Domplein as part of the Keys of Light project, an interactive piano installation designed by Mr. Beam. Mr. Beam is a multimedia design studio based in Utrecht, and their work br...
Le Guess Who? expands Untitled program with film festival, live interviews, Angel Bat Dawid's sonic healing session, more
Along with exploring the festival program, visitors of Le Guess Who? 2019 can also immerse themselves in various activities during the day throughout the city of Utrecht, including the ‘Untitled’ program. Untitled made its debut as part of Le Guess Who? 2018. We're eager to expand the programming to include more daytime...
Kapitaal: Official Hangout of Le Guess Who? 2018
This year, Le Guess Who? will have its very own, official festival hangout, hosted by Kapitaal: a Utrecht-based -open- studio for screen-, etch- and risoprint. A meeting place with a proper program, filled with exhibitions, lectures and music, owners Carlien and Ramon create a social place where craftsmanship, design and pop-culture meet....
Introducing: BASIS - a sanctuary for house/techno lovers at Utrecht's medieval canals joins LGW18
This year, Le Guess Who? will feature three new venues for the official music program: WAS., BASIS, and Poema. All of them are part of Utrecht’s buzzing nightlife and are among the most prominent clubs in town. This time, we introduce you to BASIS: an Utrechtian sanctuary for house and techno lovers. "BASIS is located at a unique v...
LGW & Gaudeamus collaborate to present ONCEIM in Utrecht's stunning Dom Church
Thursday 8 November, on the opening night of this year’s festival, we present two performances by ONCEIM in the Utrecht Dom Church, in collaboration with contemporary music organization Gaudeamus. ONCEIM, short for ‘Orchestre de Nouvelles Créations, Expérimentations et Improvisations Musicales’, is a French...
Éliane Radigue: a personal quest in exploration of sound
On Thursday, 8 November (the opening night of Le Guess Who? 2018), French experimental orchestra ONCEIM will perform twice in Utrecht’s iconic Dom church; a collaboration between Le Guess Who? a...
Audio archive update: Digable Planets live at Le Guess Who? 2016
Hip hop visionaries Digable Planets played an exclusive show at Le Guess Who? 2016. We've just added three tracks to our online audio archive - listen below: Recorded by VPRO 3voor12 on Saturday, 1...
Revisit James Holden & The Animal Spirits' live performance at LGW17
Electronic explorer James Holden presented his new performance 'James Holden & The Animal Spirits' live at Le Guess Who? 2017, featuring tracks from his new album; a record that enhances Holden&rs...
Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe's show is rescheduled; Colin Benders & Maarten Vos perform tonight
Unfortunately, Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe can't perform today due to a cancelled flight. Colin Benders & Maarten Vos will play instead at Hertz, 21:15-22:15. Rob Lowe's show is rescheduled to tomorr...
Liars share exclusive new track 'Fountain and Repeat'
Liars' Angus Andrew has shared an exclusive track that was made available for Thirty Days of Yes, appearing on a subscription mixtape that will release a song a day over 30 days. Listen to&n...
Read: "Spirits Rejoice: James Holden reflects on a career spent escaping dance convention"
Leading up to his performance & curation at Le Guess Who? 2017, FACT publishes a career-spanning conversation with electronic explorer James Holden, highlighting several of his key tracks & th...
METZ share new video for 'Drained Lake' from their latest album
Last month, METZ brought out their third record 'Strange Peace'. Now, just before their tour kicks off, the band share a new video for 'Drained Lake'. Frontman Alex Edkins explains the song as "t...
Listen: 12-Hour Drone artist Orphax shares new track 'Somniatores'
Sietse van Erve has been composing under his Orphax-moniker for the better part of the past two decades. He forges sound from electronic and acoustic instruments, other people’s composition...
Watch Natasha Kmeto's Unpeeled session of 'Pour Down'
Natasha Kmeto is a composer, producer, singer and performer from Portland, OR. Stylistically she explores the lines intersected by RnB, soul, and dance music, built using an electronic toolkit de...
Big|Brave's new record is out now; stream in full
Montreal's Big|Brave merge guitar torrents, withered noise bursts and shamanic yelps. Now, the trio release their new album 'Ardor' via Southern Lord Records. Stream it in full below: 3 slowly de...
Announcing the full line-up for Le Guess Who? 2017
The full line-up for Le Guess Who? is now revealed, with 60 acts completing the program - check out the full line-up here. The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda performed by...
Record Collector Magazine premieres Scott Fagan performing 'South Atlantic Blues' at LGW16
Scott Fagan’s lost 60s classic South Atlantic Blues is a gorgeous synthesis of Donovan-ish pop, jazz, R&B and Caribbean sounds plus a grandiose vocal delivery that recalls Scott Walker and B...
A huge thank you for making our 10th Anniversary Edition such an incredible experience
We hope to see you again in 2017, 9-12 November. Tickets available now.
Listen/read: Rats on Rafts' David Fagan: "If we're gonna do a live show, let's try and do something special"
Ever the experimentalists, Rotterdam post-punk quintet Rats on Rafts bring their multi-disciplinary spectacle, Visions of Chapter 3, to Le Guess Who? for its first public-facing debut. And, as frontman David Fagan admits, there’s no telling just quite how it will all pan out…
Watch: LGW22 curator Animal Collective in session for NPR's Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
Baltimore quartet Animal Collective has been reshaping the face of what is easiest to call indie rock since the dawn of the new century. Their return earlier this year with ‘Time Skiffs’, the band’s first album in more than half a decade, marked a true return to form. Recently, the group visited the Massachusetts...
Watch: Pan African Music meets Menzi and Turkana at Le Guess Who? 2021
During Le Guess Who? 2021, our media partner Pan African Music captured video portrait of DJ's Menzi and Turkana. Both artists performed at the Nyege Nyege Tapes present Hakuna Kulala Club Night at the festival. Durban native Menzi has been a steady presence in South African electronic music for a number of years. After producing f...
First artists & full curated programs announced for Le Guess Who? 2022
Le Guess Who? is a Celebration of Sound. From 10-13 November, the festival returns to Utrecht, The Netherlands, for its 15th Anniversary Edition. We now reveals the guest curators and their full curated programs, as well as the first artists for the general program. Curated programs by Animal Collective, clipping., and CURL Inviting gue...
Podcast: listen to part 3 of 'For the Record'
Le Guess Who? presents 'The Big Playback', a podcast about all things music. Episode 3 is a four-part series entitled 'For the Record', exploring the role of the archivist from all angles, released in weekly installments. In this new series, host Margaret Munchheimer talks to an independent archival collective in Indonesia; a sound and p...
Listen: Dutch outfit Plague Organ live at Le Guess Who? 2021
A nice surprise came our way recently. The sound engineer at De Helling during Le Guess Who? 2021 was able to capture the intense performance of Dutch outfit Plague Organ. Or at least, almost the entire performance: apparently the engineer was so overwhelmed upon the start of the show that he was about half a minute late with starting the...
Panda Bear & Sonic Boom, Alabaster DePlume, The Bug join LGW22; Animal Collective & Low cancel upcoming shows
We’re pleased to announce that Panda Bear & Sonic Boom, Alabaster DePlume, The Bug feat. Flowdan, The Notwist, África Negra, Max Cooper, EIGEN RISICO, Smote, and The Brother Moves On will be joining us this year. View the full line-up here. We’re also announcing programs, films & exhibitions presented by...
Revealing the full program + timetable for U?, LGW's largest free day program to date
U? is Le Guess Who’s participatory and freely accessible day program, made for–and with–the city of Utrecht. With U?, Le Guess Who? extends its mission to enrich people through music and culture even further to the city. From 10-13 November, U? features music performances, exhibitions, brunches, silent disco&rsquo...
Explore the line-up of LGW23; Dive in to our official playlist
Now that we've revealed the full line-up for Le Guess Who? 2023, including the curated programs by Heba Kadry, Nala Sinephro, Slauson Malone 1 and Stereolab, it's time to start your musical discovery again. Take a deep dive into our official festival playlist.
Listen/read: Pakistani qawwali singer Faiz Ali Faiz, by Arooj Aftab
This November, Le Guess Who? will feature a special performance by Pakistani qawwali singer Faiz Ali Faiz. Having been born to seven consecutive generations of qawwals (those who perform the ancient form of religious Sufi music from Pakistan and Northern India - Punjab - known as qawwali), Faiz Ali Faiz was raised on the practice. After...
Presenting the Film & Discourse Program for Le Guess Who? 2023
After last year's success of full rooms, beautiful films and interesting conversations, we are bringing the Film & Discourse Program back to Le Guess Who?. We are excited to present our full program and the partners we created it with. Film Program This year, Le Guess Who? once again collaborates with IDFA (International Documentary...
BITOI release debut EP
Following rave reviews of their debut performance at Intonal Festival, BITOI (Bass Is The Original Instrument) is steadily capturing the curiosity of audiences across the globe. Helmed by Cassius Lambert, BITOI have now unveiled their debut EP -O-. Joining Lambert is a choir composed of Alexandra Shabo, Anja Tietze Lahrmann, and Lise Kro...
Timetables for Le Guess Who? 2023 are online
Start your scheduling for Le Guess Who? 2023 now! The timetables are online now. Please note: for sustainability reasons, we will only have limited printed timetables available during the festival. A printable PDF version will follow soon, as will our official app. We also have some program updates: we’re thrilled that Antipop C...
Watch: Tom Skinner pays homage to Abdul Wadud at Le Guess Who? 2023
Tom Skinner performed live at Le Guess Who? 2023 as part of the program curated by Stereolab, following the release of ‘Voices of Bishara’. Relive the magnificent show with our concert film, and listen to the full audio of performance, in which the group also pays homage to American cellist Abdul Wadud with interpretations o...
Watch/listen: SANAM - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Lebanese free-rock, post-folk sextet SANAM performed live on the opening night of Le Guess Who? 2023, following the release of their debut album 'Aykathani Malakon'. Relive the performance with our concert film, and the audio recording of the show below: About SANAM's music is akin to a ritual, somewhere between a marriage and an exorc...
Watch: Stereolab live at Le Guess Who? 2023 concert film
Recently, we celebrated the 100th festival recording being included in our online recordings archive. Now, we are elated to share the concert film of Anglo-French avant-pop group and festival curators Stereolab live at Le Guess Who? 2023. Hailed as one of the most influential and fiercely independent groups of the 90s, Stereolab's influe...
This week on BBC Radio: recordings of Ayalew Mesfin, AEAEA (Patrick Higgins x Nicolas Jaar) + Sofia Jernberg interview
There's lots of Le Guess Who? to hear this week on BBC Radio. First off, on Friday night (November 22 at 23:00 GMT), BBC Radio 3's Late Junction will premiere audio recordings of Ethiopian funk legend Ayalew Mesfin's first ever European live performance at Le Guess Who? 2019, as well as a section of the live premiere of AEAEA at th...
"I have these stories in my mind": COSMOS goes Behind the Scenes in Pernambuco, Brazil
COSMOS: Behind the Scenes in Pernambuco, Brazil Following their broadcast during Le Guess Who? 2022 as part of COSMOS, we talk to Ana Garcia and Benke, the people behind Coquetel Molotov to discuss the local music scene in the city of Caruaru; how their involvement in COSMOS became Coquetel Molotov’s first musical incubator; and di...
Concert film: W.I.T.C.H. live at Le Guess Who? 2023
W.I.T.C.H., the band responsible for pioneering zamrock, returned to the stage during Le Guess Who? 2023 following the release of their new album 'Zango', their first in nearly four decades. On stage, they were joined by a.o. Jacco Gardner, Michael Rault and Nico Mauskoviç. Relive the performance below with our concert film and the...
Bedouin Burger release debut album 'Ma Li Beit'
Made up of Syrian vocalist, composer and musician Lynn Adib and Lebanese underground pioneer, music producer and multi-instrumentalist Zeid Hamdan, Bedouin Burger is a duo who mesh classical and Arabic folk music with streaks of modernity, braiding narratives between past, present, and future. After releasing their debut single 'Taht El...
Revealing the Guest Curators & Initial Line-Up for Le Guess Who? 2024
Le Guess Who? exists to promote sounds that are often overlooked, and to platform fresh perspectives on what is possible in music. Artists from all over the world offer an insight into the unprecedented diversity of human creativity. Le Guess Who? returns 7-10 November 2024 for its 17th edition in Utrecht, The Netherlands. We&rsq...
Watch: Phelimuncasi live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Durban-based Gqom futurists Phelimuncasi (Nyege Nyege Tapes) brought their life-affirming energy to Le Guess Who? 2023, providing ample space to dance and sweat at TivoliVredenburg's Pandora stage. Relive the performance with our concert film below. About Much like the South African bee after which they named their most recent a...
Watch: Contour - Live at Le Guess Who?
South Carolina-based artist Khari Lucas is a multifaceted creator. Making music as Contour is only one of his many artistic exploits, among which he includes film scoring, fashion work, radio programming, and more. Contour is a vessel for his musical research, songwriting, and production. Via soundbites and references, Contour draws in hi...
Reflecting nature and tradition: the legacy of Luzmila Carpio
With her Quechua pop music, songwriter Luzmila Carpio has been one of the most influential artistic and spiritual ambassadors of Andean communities. Between innovation and ancient tradition, she spreads messages of indigenous struggle, female empowerment and love for the environment around us. Luzmila Carpio is bringing her iconic voice t...
Playlist: LGW24 curated by Mabe Fratti
Each year, Le Guess Who? invites trailblazing creatives to curate their own dedicated programs, highlighting their inspirations, emerging acts and fellow like-minded artists, with an emphasis on discovery and exploration.Experimental cellist and composer Mabe Fratti introduces her curation at Le Guess Who? 2024 with a personally compiled...
Watch: Meshell Ndegeocello - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
Meshell Ndegeocello is a true multitalented and multifaceted artist: singer-songwriter, rapper, bassist, collaborator, GRAMMY-winner, neo-soul movement igniter. Yet, even when sinking seamlessly into each one of her many roles, she has always worn her artistry and identity as a proud Black queer woman on her sleeve. You can now rel...
Watch: Ex-Easter Island Head - Live at Le Guess Who?
When UK-based experimental collective Ex-Easter Island Head steps on stage, the electric guitar - an instrument whose possibilities sometimes seem to have been exhausted - is born anew. Mechanical preparations, extended techniques; call it what you want, but, to us, it's more like auditory magic. Watch our concert film of the group...
Watch Wu-Lu perform 'Ten' & 'Blame' live at Le Guess Who?
South London's Wu-Lu, spearheaded by musician/vocalist Miles Romans-Hopcraft, performed live at Le Guess Who? 2024 as part of Bo Ningen's curated program for the festival. Below, you can watch the group perform the tracks Ten & Blame from the album LOGGERHEAD, released via Warp Records. “Powered by artistic freedom and sens...
Watch: Kim Gordon - Live at Le Guess Who?
Watch our concert film of Kim Gordon performing live at Le Guess Who? 2024, curated by Crystallmess, following the release of her latest, acclaimed album The Collective via Matador Records. "The album's daring beats and improvised guitar are marks of a lifelong radical still at the peak of her powers.” – The New Yorker...
Watch/listen: Frente Abierto feat. Israel Fernández & Lela Soto - Live at Le Guess Who?
In the flamenco world, Frente Abierto presents new possibilities. The group welcomes genres as diverse as metal and ambient into their realm, fusing their experimental streak with some of new flamenco’s most powerful singers. At Le Guess Who? 2024, the Andalusian collective collaborated with Israel Fernández, a cantaor...
Watch: Tropical Fuck Storm - Live at Le Guess Who?
Melbourne foursome Tropical Fuck Storm's fiery flavor can be savored through a string of releases dating back to 2019 - but there is nothing quite like devouring the thunderous delicacy live, as we experienced again at Le Guess Who? 2024. Watch the concert film below. The group's new album 'Fairyland Codex' is out now via Fire Records.&nb...
Ziúr announces new album 'Home' & shares single 'No Yawn'
Driven by an appetite for boundless experimentation, producer and composer Ziúr has always been subverting expectations, corkscrewing through hardcore, metal and punk before veering towards electronic music's turbulent fringes. Today, the Le Guess Who? 2025 guest curator announces her upcoming album Home, out on September 5th via K...
Linton Kwesi Johnson - Live at Le Guess Who? 2017
Linton Kwesi Johnson's impressive body of work includes stints as reggae poet, political orator, recording artist, and author/journalist. His 1978 reggae album Dread Beat an' Blood is a statement akin to Gil Scott-Heron's The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. A vocal personality who fights oppression against black youth, the Jamaica-born...
The Sai Anantam Ashram Singers perform The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane at Le Guess Who? 2017
The Sai Anantam Ashram Singers performed The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda live at Le Guess Who? 2017, featuring a special guest appearance by saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings. About the project:Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda’s devotion to spirituality defined the final decades of her life. In 1983, she esta...
Alanis Obomsawin - Live at Le Guess Who? 2017
Filmmaker and songwriter Alanis Obomsawin performed songs from her 1985 album ‘Bush Lady’ live for the first time at Le Guess Who? 2017, featuring music of the Native American Abenaki people. The performance was curated by Jerusalem In My Heart, and also included 2 never recorded songs: 'La Berceuse' & 'The Spirit Of The R...
Marina Herlop - Live at Le Guess Who? 2022
Catalan artist Marina Herlop performed live at Le Guess Who? 2022 as part of the program curated by Animal Collective, following the release of her latest album 'Pripyat'. Relive the mesmerizing performance with our concert film below, featuring the songs miu, doiloi, abans abans and shaolin mantis. *Update: following the release...
Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra & Arion de Munck present 'Hadra Immersive' - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
A transcendental opening ceremony took place at the start of Le Guess Who? 2024, thanks to a special collaboration between the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra and visual artist Arion de Munck, who presented the world premiere of Hadra Immersive at the festival. The Hadra is an ancient northern Moroccan ceremony that leads participan...
Zwangere Guy - Live at Le Guess Who? 2021
With his unshakeable conviction, found all over his rhymes and delivery, Zwangere Guy quickly became considered ‘the boss of Brussels rap’. In his live shows, his boastful, insolent and exciting personality always shines bright. Zwangere Guy performed live at TivoliVredenburg's Ronda during Le Guess Who? 2021 on the nig...
Ndox Electrique - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Relive Ndox Electrique live at Le Guess Who?, the first international performance of the genre-blurring musical ensemble that originated in Senegal, and whose music is inspired by an ancient ritual of the spirit-world originating from Senegal’s n’döep ceremonies. About How does one put Ndox Electrique into mere...
Kamilya Jubran - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Palestinian-born, Paris-based musician Kamilya Jubran, one of the most revered figures in the experimental and alternative Arabic music scenes, performs at Le Guess Who? 2023, curated by Heba Kadry. Relive the mesmerizing performance with our concert film. About Raised by her music-loving parents in Galilee, for 20 years she was...
Anoushka Shankar & Manu Delago with Metropole Orkest Strings - Live at Le Guess Who? 2018
Continuing the legacy of her father, the legendary Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar is considered to be one of the world’s most renowned sitar players. In 2018, she performed at Le Guess Who?, together with Austrian percussionist and Björk collaborator Manu Delago and the 27-member string section of the Metropole Orkest, conducte...
Sun Ra Arkestra - Live at Le Guess Who? 2017
With their cosmic jazz celebration, Sun Ra Arkestra was one of the closing acts of Le Guess Who? 2017. We're pleased to now bring you the full recording of this show, spanning decades of the Sun Ra legacy. The song 'Discipline 27-II' features a special guest appearance by King Khan. Read on below for the astonishing story 'Sun Ra Ar...
Shabaka & The Ancestors - Live at Le Guess Who? 2017
British jazz stalwart Shabaka Hutchings ushers into uncharted pathways of spiritual jazz together with his South African brethren, The Ancestors. This performance was curated by James Holden for Le Guess Who? 2017. Recorded by Marc Broer at Le Guess Who? 2017 on Sunday, 12 November. Recordings made in cooperation with VPRO / Vrije Gelu...
Scott Fagan performing 'South Atlantic Blues' - Live at Le Guess Who? 2016
Scott Fagan together with members of Trembling Bells perform Fagan's lost 60s classic 'South Atlantic Blues' in full at Le Guess Who? 2016. AboutFor every generation-defining icon, there’s an equally impressive talent who fizzled into obscurity. Scott Fagan’s lost 60s classic South Atlantic Blues is a gorgeous synthesis of...
Faust IV - Live at Le Guess Who? 2021
The cult album Faust IV was the fourth studio album released by the German krautrock group in 1973. Reimagining the music from the iconic album, Faust IV was performed live at Le Guess Who? 2021 as part of the curated program by OSEES' John Dwyer. Faust IV Live! captured the strange magic that then and now defines Faust as an entity unto...
Aldous Harding - Live at Le Guess Who? 2019
Following the release of her latest album ‘Designer’ last year, New Zealand songwriter Aldous Harding performed at Le Guess Who? 2019, becoming one of the audience’s highlights of the 13th edition of the festival. The show rendered instrumentation and voice into the most vivid and impressionistic of scenes. Harding&...
Digable Planets - Live at Le Guess Who? 2016
Hip hop visionaries Digable Planets played an exclusive show at Le Guess Who? 2016. Three tracks are now available to stream: 'It's Good To Be Here', '9th Wonder', and hit single 'Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)': Recorded by VPRO 3voor12 on Saturday, 12 November. Watch the entire performance at the festival below. More Le Guess...
Elza Soares - Live at Le Guess Who? 2016
After eight decades of triumph and tragedy, Brazilian protest singer Elza Soares is lauded as queen of samba and a powerful voice against repression and injustice relating to gender, race, sexual orientation and class. At Le Guess Who? 2016, Soares gave a powerful performance, presenting work from her 34th album, 'The Woman at the End of...
Dreamcrusher - Live at Le Guess Who? 2022
Dreamcrusher, the project of multidisciplinary artist Luwayne Glass, performed live at Le Guess Who? 2022 as part of the program curated by clipping. You can now listen to his performance below, released via Dreamcrusher for Bandcamp Friday. Live at Le Guess Who? 2022 by DREAMCRUSHER AboutDreamcrusher began on Kansas-born, New Yor...
Rival Consoles - Live at Le Guess Who? 2022
London-based producer Ryan Lee West, aka Rival Consoles, performed live at Le Guess Who? 2022 as part of the program curated by clipping., following the release of latest album ‘Now Is’. You can now listen to and relive the full performance below. AboutThroughout his critically acclaimed fifteen-year career, Rival Con...
Moin - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
London trio Moin, comprised of Raime’s Joe Andrews and Tom Halstead together with percussionist visionary Valentina Magaletti, performed live at Le Guess Who? 2023 as part of the program curated by Stereolab. You can now listen to and relive the full performance, featuring a previously unreleased track: "'Moin are subtly but br...
Le Cri du Caire - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
One year ago, Le Cri du Caire released their hauntingly beautiful, self-tilted debut album. We are now thrilled to share the recording of their mesmerizing performance at Utrecht's Jacobikerk during Le Guess Who? 2023, where the group performed the majority of the album, as well as new material. AboutSinger, writer, poet, and expressio...
Alex Zhang Hungtai - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
Over the years, Taiwanese-born, Montréal-hailing Alex Zhang Hungtai (formerly Dirty Beaches) has dived fully into the role of composer. Tinkering with the saxophone, synthesizers, percussion, and piano, Zhang has embraced the free form, focusing on explorations of improvised music, free jazz, and ritualistic music of liminality....
Ryley Walker x Kikagaku Moyo - 'Deep Fried Grandeur', live at Le Guess Who? 2018
Chicago-based songwriter and guitarist Ryley Walker and Japanese psych-rockers Kikagaku Moyo gave a special collaborative performance at Le Guess Who? 2018. Now, the artists release the recordings of that show called ‘Deep Fried Grandeur’; two lengthy, kaleidoscopic jams featuring a revolving cast of folk jazz, acid rock, and...
Art Ensemble of Chicago - Live at Le Guess Who? 2018
In the mid-1960s, Art Ensemble of Chicago sprung from the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). Moving far beyond jazz, avant-garde and performance art, the ensemble has created a realm that is entirely original. On the opening night of Le Guess Who? 2018, and on the eve of the Art Ensemble of Chicago’s 50t...
Junun feat. Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood and the Rajasthan Express - Live at Le Guess Who? 2016
Junun featuring Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood, and the Rajasthan Express was the closing act of Le Guess Who? 2016. Relive their magical performance. About JununInside a 15th century Mehrangarh fort in Rajasthan, India, Israeli composer Shye Ben Tzur and Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood met the Rajasthan Express: an Indian ensemble...
Plague Organ - Live at Le Guess Who? 2021
A nice surprise came our way recently. The sound engineer at De Helling during Le Guess Who? 2021 was able to capture the intense performance of Dutch outfit Plague Organ. Or at least, almost the entire performance: apparently the engineer was so overwhelmed upon the start of the show that he was about half a minute late with starting the...
Selda Bagcan - Live at Le Guess Who? 2014
Selda Bağcan is a legendary Turkish singer and political activist. Her first singles, about political struggle and the demands of the working class, sold over 1 million copies. Selda’s psychedelic interpretations of traditional Turkish folk music and her political views have lost Selda her passport and caused her to be repeatedly im...
Tom Skinner - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Tom Skinner performed live at Le Guess Who? 2023 as part of the program curated by Stereolab, following the release of ‘Voices of Bishara’. Relive the magnificent show with our concert film, and listen to the full audio of performance, in which the group also pays homage to American cellist Abdul Wadud with interpretations o...
Stereolab - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Recently, we celebrated the 100th festival recording being included in our online recordings archive. Now, we are elated to share the concert film of Anglo-French avant-pop group and festival curators Stereolab live at Le Guess Who? 2023. Hailed as one of the most influential and fiercely independent groups of the 90s, Stereolab's influe...
About
Le Guess Who? exists to bring people together through music and culture. U? is its participative and freely accessible city program celebrating local and creative communities. Le Guess Who? heeft het doel om mensen samen te brengen door middel van muziek en cultuur. U? is het gratis toegankelijk stadsprogramma van Le Guess Who? met een...
W.I.T.C.H. - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
W.I.T.C.H., the band responsible for pioneering zamrock, returned to the stage during Le Guess Who? 2023 following the release of their new album 'Zango', their first in nearly four decades. On stage, they were joined by a.o. Jacco Gardner, Michael Rault and Nico Mauskoviç. Relive the performance below with our concert film and the...
Phelimuncasi - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Durban-based Gqom futurists Phelimuncasi (Nyege Nyege Tapes) brought their life-affirming energy to Le Guess Who? 2023, providing ample space to dance and sweat at TivoliVredenburg's Pandora stage. Relive the performance with our concert film below. About Much like the South African bee after which they named their most recent a...
Slauson Malone 1 - Live at Le Guess Who? 2023
Festival curator Slauson Malone 1 performed live at Le Guess Who? 2023 following the release of his latest album EXCELSIOR via Warp Records. On stage, he is joined by cellist Nicky Wetherell. Relive the performance with our concert film: Speaking about his role as curator at the festival, Slauson Malone 1 (real name: Jasper Marsalis) s...
Freely Accessible U? Programme Highlights
U? is Le Guess Who’s participatory and freely accessible day program, made for–and with–the city of Utrecht. With U?, Le Guess Who? extends its mission to enrich people through music and culture even further to the city. From 10 to 13 November 2022, U? returns for its second edition. The program is made with, or even ent...
Gibrana Cervantes - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
London-based Mexican violinist, composer, and improviser Gibrana Cervantes performed live at Le Guess Who? 2024, as part of the program curated by Mabe Fratti. You can listen to the full performance below, featuring two unreleased tracks: ‘Blur of Memories’ and ‘Verdad vs. Error’, as well as ‘Moving Through...
Meshell Ndegeocello - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
Meshell Ndegeocello is a true multitalented and multifaceted artist: singer-songwriter, rapper, bassist, collaborator, GRAMMY-winner, neo-soul movement igniter. Yet, even when sinking seamlessly into each one of her many roles, she has always worn her artistry and identity as a proud Black queer woman on her sleeve. You can now rel...
Wu-Lu - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
South London's Wu-Lu, spearheaded by musician/vocalist Miles Romans-Hopcraft, performed live at Le Guess Who? 2024 as part of Bo Ningen's curated program for the festival. Below, you can watch the group perform the tracks Ten & Blame from the album LOGGERHEAD, released via Warp Records. “Powered by artistic freedom and sens...
Tropical Fuck Storm - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024
Melbourne foursome Tropical Fuck Storm's fiery flavor can be savored through a string of releases dating back to 2019 - but there is nothing quite like devouring the thunderous delicacy live, as we experienced again at Le Guess Who? 2024. Watch the concert film below. The group's new album 'Fairyland Codex' is out now via Fire Records.&nb...
Centercom Subsidiefonds
Op deze pagina is de selectie van de vier portretten van Melanie te vinden, behorende bij de Centercom Subsidiefonds-pitch van Le Guess Who?, evenals een schets van de opzet voor twee van de posters (nog geen definitieve ontwerpen).
Le Guess Who? 2017 Press Archive
The Netherlands 3FM: "3voor12 is op Le Guess Who?, waar basketballen tegen aan het plafond geschroefde gitaren worden gegooid"3voor12: "Eerste 67 namen voor Le Guess Who? 2017" 3voor12: "Kelly Lee Owens, dagdromer met kennishonger" 3voor12: "Le Guess Who? str...
Le Guess Who? 2021 Press archive
"Overcoming lockdown obstacles, Le Guess Who? united a global cast of adventurous artists." - Crack Magazine The Netherlands 3voor12: Le Guess Who? strooit alvast met eerste namen en curatoren voor festivaleditie 20213voor12: Dit zijn onze 14 tips voor Le Guess Who? 20213voor12: Playlist Le Guess Who? 20213voor12: LGW21: De gestolde j...
A Take Away Show with Wilco, by La Blogotheque
Audio Recordings There are lots of recordings available in our audio archive, including Junun feat. Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood and the Rajasthan Express, Elza Soares, Patty Waters, Tortoise, Scott Fagan performing 'South Atlantic Blues', Les Filles de Illighadad, and The Mandolin Sisters. Photo Archive Our photo team captur...
Le Guess Who? 2020 Press archive
The Netherlands 3voor12: Dit zijn de vijftig belangrijkste festivals van Nederland3voor12: Le Guess Who? slaat 2020 over3voor12: Beverly Glenn-Copeland blijft onverstoorbaar hoopvol3voor12: Le Guess Who? organiseert fysiek en online evenement3voor12: Le Guess Who? maakt volledige line-up LGW OFF bekend3voor12: Alternatie...
Press info
About Le Guess Who? With the motto 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. Artists from all over the world push the boundaries...
COSMOS Embassy: Bandung, Indonesia
In partnership with NORRM Radio & LaMunai Records. An introduction to Indonesia’s few select musicians and musical groups that portray the eclectic and diverse sounds, created through a variety of methods and different environments. Norrm Radio and La Munai Records wishes to capture the creative process of these m...
Apply for a Low Income Day Ticket
(Nederlandse tekst hieronder) In 2025, Le Guess Who? continues to offer Low Income Day Tickets. This initiative arises from the fact that we hear that the ticket price is one of the biggest barriers for people to visit the festival. We want to give people - who would like to visit the festival but don’t have the financial reso...
Centercom Subsidiefonds
Op deze pagina is de selectie van de vier portretten van Melanie te vinden, behorende bij de Centercom Subsidiefonds-pitch van Le Guess Who?, evenals een schets van de opzet voor twee van de posters (nog geen definitieve ontwerpen).
CTA Tickets
Le Guess Who? takes pace across 20 locations in the city center of Utrecht; ranging from churches and galleries to theaters and pop venues. Most are within walking distance from each other. Here are a couple highlighted.
CTA Festival App
Le Guess Who? takes pace across 20 locations in the city center of Utrecht; ranging from churches and galleries to theaters and pop venues. Most are within walking distance from each other. Here are a couple highlighted.
Tickets for U-pas members
(Nederlandse tekst hieronder) Le Guess Who? 2025 6-9 November in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Are you a U-pas member and would you like to purchase a discounted ticket for Le Guess Who? 2025? Please send us an e-mail via info@leguesswho.com with the following information: • Send us a photo of your U-pas (front and back);• Let u...
3voor12 / Vrije Geluiden 2021
3voor12 Live Sessions At Club Nine on the top floor of TivoliVredenburg, the main location and hub of Le Guess Who?, Dutch broadcaster VPRO 3voor12 recorded live sessions with artists from LGW21. Watch live sessions featuring Bendik Giske, Automatic, Mario Batkovic, and Vanishing Twin. WATCH 3voor12 LIVE SESSIONS
Press info
"Eclectic and probing" - New York Times "LGW proves that even in times of political divide, music and art can bring us together into a more hopeful future" – The Line of Best Fit "Vier dagen Le Guess Who is een muzikale wereldreis gelardeerd met pure wonderen" – de Volkskrant "You go for the music, you come back wit...
Code of Conduct & House Rules
Code of Conduct Le Guess Who? is a non-profit foundation that has been aspiring to smooth a path for artists in a wealth of music genres by giving them a stage in the heart of Utrecht since 2007. Social safety, inclusivity, and equity are indispensable to the infrastructure that facilitates our international audience, team and art. Pass...
About Utrecht
"Spiralling outwards from the cobbled, canal-studded streets of the old town, Utrecht is an architecturally beautiful city in the centre of the Netherlands." - Crack Magazine
About
November 2025 Le Guess Who? exists to bring people together through music and culture. U? is its participative and freely accessible city program celebrating local and creative communities.Le Guess Who? heeft het doel om mensen samen te brengen door middel van muziek en cultuur. U? is het gratis toegankelijk stadsprogramma van Le Guess...