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Shabazz Palaces
Shabazz Palaces have always drawn inspiration from the heart and human instinct; the Seattle-based hip hop voyagers produce transcendental albums from an intuitive frame of mind. ‘Black Up&rsquo...
Lost Horizons
Lost Horizons is a new collaborative dream-pop project formed by Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins and Richard Thomas of instrumental quartet Dif Juz. The duo's upcoming album 'Ojalá', released o...
FRKWYS: Ian William Craig & Daniel Lentz
FRKWYS is a series initiated by Brooklyn-based independent record label RVNG Intl.; aimed at an ambitious and unique pairing of modern artists and their musical predecessors for the creation of a coll...
Cinema Perdu
Cinema Perdu is the moniker of Utrecht-based Martijn Pieck, who has also been involved in woodbender and the [law rah] collective. Fascinated by urban found sounds, he works with manipulated samples a...
Oiseaux-Tempête & Friends
Oiseaux Tempête’s cross-cultural, multi-genre improv rock has a tendency to unfold in places of turmoil, recording records in Greece, Turkey and Lebanon in the past. The core duo of Fr&eac...
Le Mini Who?
Le Mini Who? is a spin-off festival of Le Guess Who?. It turns venues, cafes, art spaces and even a fire station of the fast-developing and creative area Cartesius into improvised venues for (mainly)...
Shannon Lay
For a number of years, LA-based musician Shannon Lay played both for the post-punk number Feels and on her own. She released an array of critically acclaimed solo records which were praised for their...
Patricia Kokett
Another one of Knekelhuis’ exports, Patricia Kokett’s unique outlook on leftfield electronic music is in line with the Amsterdam label’s daring roster. With his 2020 debut ‘Biz...
Pink Oculus presents Before Wisdom
Esperanza Denswil’s alter-ego Pink Oculus began as an exercise to self-love. Since her vibrant 2013 breakthrough, the Dutch-Surinamese artist has risen to quick acclaim, thanks to her standout l...
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...
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...
Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids: 50th Anniversary Celebration
Idris Ackamoor has revived his legendary afro-jazz band The Pyramids before, but never quite like this. The epoch bringing them back for a new tour (to commence at Le Guess Who?) is one worth an epic...
COSMOS Embassy: Lisbon, Portugal
East Side Radio is an online radio platform streaming from Lisbon’s East Side, Portugal. It’s designed to be a hub connecting widely recognized domestic and international talent. This COSM...
Nesstybeats
With their podcast, U?TCAST showcases street culture talent from Utrecht along the full width.MokerjongCrow NesstybeatsWith Nesstybeats we have one of the most active connectors in the Utrecht sc...
Blanco Teta
In the upcoming queer Latinx scene, there aren’t many bands like Blanco Teta. Onto all the hallmarks of their punk forebears, the quarter adds an unlikely yet compelling new element; the process...
Read: Cape to Cairo: Outwith, by Asher Gamedze
A South African drummer, composer, scholar and bandleader based in Cape Town, Asher Gamedze's music is a profound mixture of various musical traditions from Southern Africa, free improvisation, jazz and radical social and political thought, turning his music into a powerful act of freedom, resistance and activism. After multiple pe...
COSMOS Embassy: Utrecht, The Netherlands
U? is the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?. Now in its fourth edition, U? celebrates local and creative communities based in the Netherlands, with a strong focus on Utrecht. The festiva...
KUKII (fka Lafawndah)
Devotional pop polymath accurately starts to describe Paris-based singer, songwriter, producer, and director Yasmine Dubois, AKA KUKII. The beguiling artist of Egyptian and Iranian descent’s mus...
Alpha Maid
Balancing noise experimentation and pop vocal hooks, the music of Alpha Maid sounds like instinct brought to life: raw, urgent and a very necessary expression. As a guitarist, vocalist and producer sh...
EXboot presents: Soete Boon
On view in EXboot, a former prostitution boat that is transformed into an exhibition space for upcoming artists, is Soete Boon. Boon is an artist that works primarily with textiles, exploring their in...
Le Mini Who?
Le Mini Who? presents the contemporary (Dutch) underground, in collaboration with independent local stores, shops and bars. It transforms Utrecht's city streets into a festival area, with more than fi...
DJ Haram x CAMP
DJ Haram x CAMP: "Anti-Format, Beside Myself & Finding your Sound"Nestled in a picturesque village in the French Pyrenees, CAMP organises onsite and online workshops and residencies with arti...
Listen: Jenny Hval shares new song 'High Alice' from upcoming album 'The Practice of Love'
Norwegian singer, producer, novel writer and Le Guess Who? 2019 curator Jenny Hval has released a new song called 'High Alice'. It is taken from her upcoming album 'The Practice of Love', which will be released in September. In a statement accompanying the release of the song, Hval says that 'High Alice' felt like the narra...
Orchestra of Spheres share first single 'Koudede' from upcoming album 'Mirror'
Orchestra of Spheres send their listeners on a reflective voyage of sonic discovery on their new song 'Koudede'. With the track, the adventurous psych pop group share their love for the Tuareg and Nig...
Xylouris White share 'Tree Song' video & new song 'Black Sea' from upcoming album 'The Sisypheans'
Xylouris White is the alliance between Greek singer & lute player George Xylouris and drummer Jim White (Dirty Three). Xylouris White reconciles not only the tandem’s respective roots, but above all, a deep friendship forged in 25 years. Now, the group share 'Tree Song', the first single from their upcoming album...
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...
ZONAL release 'System Error' featuring Moor Mother, from upcoming album 'Wrecked'
ZONAL, aka Kevin Martin (The Bug) and Justin Broadrick (Godflesh, JK Flesh) release their first single 'System Error', featuring vocals by Moor Mother. The track is taken from their upcoming debut album 'Wrecked', which will be released on 25 October via Relapse Records. Besides 'System Error' the album contains several collaborations wit...
Girl Band shares video for new song 'Going Norway', from upcoming album 'The Talkies'
Dublin's Girl Band has released the new song 'Going Norway' from the upcoming album 'The Talkies', which will be released on 27 September via Rough Trade. Going Norway' follows the previously released 'Shoulderblades' and comes with a both disturbing and witty video that was directed by Bob Gallagher; watch below. Girl Band's Dara Kiely...
Listen: Föllakzoid releases new track 'IIII' from upcoming album 'I'
Chilean cosmic group Föllakzoid release a new track from their upcoming album 'I', for which the band recorded over sixty separate tracks in isolation, without a producer in the room, allowing their music to truly become a intuïtive living beast of sound. Entitled 'IIII', the song is part of a one hour edit made...
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...
Listen: Rival Consoles preview upcoming album 'Now Is' with four new tracks
* Update: Rival Consoles' new album 'Now Is' is out now; stream it in full below. Throughout his critically acclaimed fifteen-year career, London-based producer Ryan Lee West aka Rival Consoles has continuously increased his drive to humanize sound. The mesmerizing and emotional sonic explorations that form the four new tracks lead...
Listen: composer Flore Laurentienne released the second single from his upcoming album 'Volume II'
*Update: Flore Laurentienne has now released his new album 'Volume II' in full. Stream below: A brilliant mix between rich sound, romanticism and sublime experience, Flore Laurentienne's second single 'Voiles' from his new album 'Volume II' takes the listener on a thought-provoking voyage exploring the fascinating relationship between...
Revealing the guest curators for Le Guess Who? 2019
We're thrilled to reveal the guest curators for Le Guess Who? 2019. During the upcoming edition of the festival, we'll celebrate curated programs by the pioneering voice of Mali, Fatoumata Diawara; award-winning Dutch fashion radical Iris van Herpen & sound artist Salvador Breed; Norwegian multi-disciplinary artist Jenny Hval; sh...
Prison Religion releases new music featuring Rabit and Eartheater
Noise-rap duo Prison Religion has released new music in anticipation of its upcoming album 'BEACHHEAD', to be released in July. In May, Prison Religion already released 'XNF NTC / B.O.O.T' featuring experimental noise-maker (and LGW18 artist) Eartheater. Now there is the second track 'Candy', a collaboration with experimental el...
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: Prison Religion releases 2 tracks from upcoming album: '70 Mg' & 'Metal Mouth'
Richmond, Virginia-based collage-rap/noise duo Prison Religion show that the heaviest of music is often-times economical and raw in its execution. Following the release of their 2018 EP 'O Fucc Im On The Wrong Planet', the group is set to release their new album 'BEACHHEAD' in July. The new album is characterized by "an avant-club me...
Listen to DJ Firmeza's new track 'Intenso', from upcoming EP 'Ardeu'
Free-spirited Portuguese artist DJ Firmeza brings a blend of styles to the table. His music is rhythmically complex, insanely energetic and conjures a percussion-laced hybrid of Angolan dance workouts with penetrative house music. Now, he has announced his return to Príncipe Discos with a new EP 'Ardeu'. The EP...
Pink Siifu releases video for 'lng hair dnt care' from upcoming album 'GUMBO’!'
Rapper and producer Pink Siifu has a mercurial talent for intersecting styles and culture. Following the release of 2020's 'NEGRO' (which got expanded to 'NEGRO DELUXE' earlier this year), Pink Siifu is now already preparing his follow-up, entitled 'GUMBO’!', out August 3. The album will feature contributions by Nic...
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...
Brooklyn's Gustaf, curated by John Dwyer for LGW21, release video for 'Book' from upcoming album
Gustaf are New York's 'hardest working…and most reliably fun bands' according to BrooklynVegan. Now the five-piece announce their new album 'Audio Drag For Ego Slobs', out October 1st via Royal Mountain Records. As a result of their magnetic live show, the band caught the attention of a.o. Beck (who had the band open...
Zonal share title track of upcoming album 'Wrecked'
ZONAL has shared the title track to their forthcoming album 'Wrecked', which is out on 25 October via Relapse Records. ZONAL is the collaborative noise, dub and industrial project of Le Guess Who? 2019 curator Kevin Richard Martin (The Bug, King Midas Sound) and Justin Broadrick (Godflesh, JK Flesh). The album contains...
Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca shares video for 'AGGUA' from upcoming album 'YESUN'
The acclaimed Havana-born pianist Roberto Fonseca draws from a wide range of musical traditions and genres, including jazz, elements of classical music and Cuban's rich music traditions. He previously performed in the legendary Buena Vista Social Club and was handpicked by Herbie Hancock himself as his touring mate. Following t...
Psych/kraut mystics Moon Duo share new single 'Eternal Shore' from upcoming album 'Stars Are The Light'
Oregon psych/kraut mystics and Le Guess Who? 2019 curators Moon Duo have risen up as one of the most intoxicating live acts of this decade, embracing everything from 80’s disco, occult literature, electronic music and film soundtracks, armed with a mountain of effect pedals, shreds of reverberations, hallucinating gui...
Efterklang shares video for new single 'I dine øjne', from upcoming album 'Altid Sammen'
The musical trademark of the Danish band Efterklang is a tapestry of acoustic and electronic elements. These Danish pop adventurers express boundless enthusiasm with each radical new undertaking. Now, the group have shared the video for their new single 'I dine øjne', featuring the astonishing Helena Christensen, who also worked th...
Listen: Petbrick (Wayne Adams & Iggor Cavelera) share 'Horse' from upcoming album 'I'
Starting out with the intention to "make horrible noise" as their first concept, Petbrick, the duo of Wayne Adams (Big Lad/Death Pedals/Johnny Broke) and Iggor Cavalera (Sepultura/Soulwax/Mixhell) have now arrived at a destination where they combine electronic experimentation, hardcore attitude, dystopian dread and in-the-red de...
LGW19 curator Jenny Hval shares new song 'Ashes to Ashes' from upcoming album 'The Practice of Love'
Le Guess Who? 2019 curator Jenny Hval's multi-disciplinary work aims to break beyond the confining zones of a certain genre or discipline to form a deeper connection with her audiences. Now, the Norwegian avant-pop artist announces her new album 'The Practice of Love' (out 13 September 13 via Sacred Bones), and shares its first singl...
Listen: Dry Cleaning release new single 'Don't Press Me' from upcoming album 'Stumpwork'
*update: the band have now released their new album 'Stumpwork'. Stream below: Just a year after 'New Long Leg', which was filled to the brim with unheard-of snark, courtesy of vocalist Florence Shaw's quick-witted lyrics, London's Dry Cleaning have announced the follow-up to their debut album. 'Stumpwork' is out October 21 via 4AD. T...
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...
Military Genius previews upcoming album 'Scarred For Life'
Musician, singer-songwriter and producer Bryce Cloghesy announced his second album as Military Genius: Scarred For Life, out on the 1st of November via Unheard of Hope. The record is a genre-flexing mix of bass-heavy R&B, spaced dub, and jazz that is newly grounded within a traditional rock framework and centered on lyricism. Together...
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...
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...
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.
Stereogum premieres Colin Stetson’s haunting track ‘Charlie’
Saxophone powerhouse Colin Stetson released a new instrumental track entitled ‘Charlie’. Premiered via Stereogum, this nerve-wracking, eerie track is composed for the upcoming horror film...
Watch: Neneh Cherry performs ‘Kong’ on ‘Later with… Jools Holland’
Neneh Cherry performed her new song ‘Kong’ on BBC Two's ‘Later with… Jools Holland’ this week. The track is taken from her upcoming album ‘Broken Po...
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...
South London post-punk four-piece Italia 90 release new song 'Road To Hell'
Following the release of their track 'An Episode' last month, UK post-punk outfit Italia 90 now share new song 'Road To Hell' from their upcoming EP 'Italia 90 III', to be released on Friday, 15 November. 'Road To Hell' shines more light on the brutalist tendencies of the "EP III" package: galloping bass and manic guitar li...
Listen: Damon Locks' Black Monument Ensemble release new song 'Keep Your Mind Free'
Chicago's Damon Locks' Black Monument Ensemble have released a new song from their upcoming album 'NOW', to be released on April 9th. With a mix of pulsing trumpet sounds, 'Keep Your Mind Free' originated from the reflection that Covid-19 has different outcomes for each group of society, especially for people in prison...
Dutch Council for Refugees and NewBees are social partners of LGW21 for 'Grant an Entry' initiative
(Nederlandse versie hieronder) For the upcoming edition of Le Guess Who?, we are continuing our collaboration with the Dutch Council for Refugees and NewBees, who are both a social partner of the festival. Our organizations team up for the 'Grant an Entry' initiative. Newcomers residing in The Netherlands are also invited to participate...
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...
LGW TV content now online, feat. Reports from Other Continents, Vunk on Vacation & more
Following the launch of LGW ON, our very own online TV channel which streamed mid-November 2020, we are now sharing a lot of programs and video content that premiered on the channel via our YouTube account. We've published the videos as part of our new Reports from Other Continents project; all episodes of our alternative travel sho...
LGW & Utrecht Early Music Festival start long-term collaboration; first joint project at LGW18
2018 marks the start of a long-term collaboration between the Utrecht Early Music Festival and Le Guess Who?. The first joint project, a marathon concert by musician and anthropologist Björn Schm...
Listen: Mudhoney share 'Kill Yourself Live', an organ-filled odyssey on internet fame
Legendary grunge rockers Mudhoney have shared an organ-filled new single from their upcoming album 'Digital Garbage'; their first in five years. 'Kill Yourself Live' is a bleak examination of viral cu...
Listen to Tom Rogerson's new song 'Idea of Order at Kyson Point', a collaboration with Brian Eno
Tom Rogerson's piano skills are once again on full display in new song 'Idea of Order at Kyson Point'; a collaboration with Brian Eno. The dreamy track will be available on Rogerson's upcoming al...
Ben Frost shares 'Ionia' from new album 'The Centre Cannot Hold'
Today, Ben Frost shares a new track of his upcoming album 'The Centre Cannot Hold', which will be released september 29th via MUTE. Listen to 'Ionia' here - it follows the release of the title tr...
Lost Horizons (ft. Cocteau Twins' Simon Raymonde) announce album; share first tracks
Lost Horizons is a new collaborative project formed by Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins and Richard Thomas of instrumental quartet Dif Juz. The duo's upcoming album 'Ojalá' will be released on R...
Le Guess Who? included in Pitchfork Festival Guide
Le Guess Who? 2017 is included in Pitchfork's new Guide to Upcoming Festivals. Their lineup highlights, besides our curators, are Pharoah Sanders, James Holden, Sun Kil Moon,...
Listen to Greg Fox' new single 'Catching an L'
Drummer extraordinaire Greg Fox just shared a new single called 'Catching an L'. It's a track from his upcoming album 'The Gradual Expression' which will be released in September. "His new LP, The Gr...
Moor Mother shares another new track featuring Mental Jewelry
On her new track 'Matter of Time', Moor Mother collaborates with Philadelphia noise producer Mental Jewelry. It's the second track of the upcoming EP which will be released June 16th. "Often dreamy,...
Interview: The Quietus speak to Baltimore quartet Horse Lords
In an interview for The Quietus, Jakub Knera speaks with Baltimore experimental rock quartet Horse Lords. Days before the release of their upcoming album 'Comradely Objects,' Horse Lords open up about their new record, politics and architecture in their music and how the pandemic changed the way they play. Read the full interview here, an...
Listen: Derya Yıldırım releases compelling new track 'Darıldım Darıldım'
As part of their upcoming EP 'Dost 2' out on November 11, Derya Yıldırım releases new track 'Darıldım Darıldım'. A compelling mix between traditional Anatolian sounds and warm beats, 'Darıldım Darıldım' leaves listeners in a unique state of trance, combined with an irresistible desire to dance the night away. Derya Yıldırım & G...
Read: Ziúr is finally ready to come home
Known for her relentless appetite for boundless experimentation, producer and musician Ziúr has always been subverting expectations, corkscrewing through hardcore, metal and punk before veering towards electronic music’s turbulent fringes. As a guest curator for Le Guess Who? 2025, her program spotlights bold, inspiring artis...
Footwork legend RP Boo announces new album ‘I’ll Tell You What!’
The originator of footwork music and one of Chicago’s finest producers RP Boo will release his new album ‘I’ll Tell You What!’ on 6 July via Planet Mu. Leading up to his new LP...
Premiere: Jozef van Wissem shares new song 'Bow Down' & presents new album at LGW18
Enter the dark, mythical world of minimalist composer and acclaimed lute-player Jozef van Wissem. Accompanied by his baroque instrument, Van Wissem creates highly distinctive sonic soundscapes by blen...
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...
The Bug's Kevin Martin announces solo album 'Sirens'
The Bug's Kevin Martin has announced his new solo album 'Sirens', to be released via Room40 on May 31st. It is the first time the electronic producer and composer releases a record under his real name. 'Sirens' is about the emotional rollercoaster that Martin experienced becoming a parent, heightened through the complex circumstances...
Donato Dozzy announces sound installation album '12H' on Lorenzo Senni’s Presto!? Records
Donato Dozzy has a rare ability to work his way into peoples’ minds in both contemporary and classical settings. Now, the Spazio Disponibile boss will debut on Lorenzo Senni’s Presto!? Records with a two-hour-long album titled '12H', due out on October 25. The music is a summary of the material that...
Knekelhuis Presents: four artists you don't want to miss at Le Guess Who? 2021
Knekelhuis is an Amsterdam-based independent record label that heightens the aesthetic similarities between different genres, eras, and scenes, including wave, punk, synth-pop, industrial, ambient, techno, and abstract electronics. This year, Knekelhuis is presenting an international selection of label-related artists and dear friends th...
Watch: Tarta Relena release video for new single 'Las alamedas'
Catalan vocal duo Tarta Relena have released a new song called 'Las alamedas'; the first single of their new upcoming album 'Fiat Lux', with a release date for the album to be announced later. 'Las alamedas' was based on a poem by Spanish poet, writer, theater director and one of the key figures of the 20th-century Spanish lite...
Listen to & watch video for Black Country, New Road's new song 'Track X'
London-based seven-piece band Black Country, New Road have released a new song from their upcoming debut LP 'For The First Time', to be released February 5th via Ninja Tune. Vocalist and guitarist Isaac Wood states that 'Track X' was first worked on back in 2018 but never made it to Black Country New Road's live performances. ...
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...
Revealing the curators and initial program for Le Guess Who? 2021
Inviting guest curators to build their own programs has become a hallmark of Le Guess Who? over the years. Featuring both their inspirations and fellow like-minded artists, this allows upcoming acts to perform alongside established artists. We are genuinely excited to now reveal the curators for Le Guess Who? 2021, as well as the first pe...
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...
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...
Red Bull Radio launches Le Guess Who? 2019 preview channel
In anticipation of Le Guess Who? 2019, Red Bull Radio launches a special preview channel for the festival, "celebrating Holland’s explorations of avant-garde, jazz, noise and more". The channel shares Red Bull Radio live recordings and interviews with artists performing at the upcoming festival edition, featuring Jenny Hval, Sarah D...
Relive Saul Williams & King Britt's 'Unanimous Goldmine' performance at LGW18 via Red Bull Radio
Red Bull Radio has premiered the full recording of 'Unanimous Goldmine', the collaborative performance between actor, screenwriter and renowned harbinger of noise poetry and hip hop futurism Saul Williams; and accomplished Philly-based musician, DJ, author and producer King Britt. On the explicit invitation of M...
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...
Tracing the Roots: Art Ensemble of Chicago’s Great Black Music, Ancient To The Future
In the mid-1960s, Art Ensemble of Chicago sprung from the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). Ever since, they have been celebrated as one of the most remarkable free ja...
"How Rizan Said became the King of Keyboard": video interview by Cairo Liberation Front
Over the past two decades, Rizan Said has made a name for himself as composer for all kinds of Syrian artists, as well collaborating extensively with Omar Souleyman. In the process, his distinctively...
"I think the individual is bigger than the tradition": MusicMap.Global interviews Negro Leo
MusicMap.Global is a site dedicated to celebrating the global underground. Leading up to Le Guess Who? 2018, they interview some of the artists playing the festival. First up is Brazil's Negro Leo, ak...
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...
Le Mini Who? returns as part of LGW18; 10th Anniversary edition marks move to Rotsoord
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...
Listen to Lonnie Holley's ambitious and mesmerizing new album 'Mith'
With his self-taught piano improvisations and stream-of-consciousness lyrical approach, Lonnie Holley is a storyteller of the highest order. Now, Holley releases his new album 'Mith' which, unlik...
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...
Listen to Jacco Gardner's new track 'Levania' ahead of his appearance at LGW18 tonight
Le Guess Who? 2018 is in full swing, and tonight sees the debut of Jacco Gardner's 'Somnium' experience. That's not the only premiere Gardner has in store for you though, as we have the honor to share the second track from his upcoming, instrumental album. 'Levania' is a highly uplifting and catchy track, marked by Gardner’s si...
Introducing: Poema - a fixture in the life of every student in Utrecht 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 Poema: a fixture in the life of every student in Utrecht. Did you know Utrecht is one of th...
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...
Interview: Emel Mathlouthi: "The most important thing is to be truthful"
Ahead of her performance at Le Guess Who?, we catch up with Tunisian singer, musician & artist Emel Mathlouthi while on her way to a performance in Washington DC. It became a talk about being challenged by collaborators, the Arab Spring and the role of social media, being categorized by singing in Arabic, and the importance of being t...
Introducing: WAS. - from a raving punk celebration to stunning club beats
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. In this feature, we introduce you to the pop-up nightclub of WAS.; a place where many electronic music freaks are assured t...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Playlist: explore Jenny Hval's curated program for LGW19
Norwegian multidisciplinary artist Jenny Hval is one of the curators for Le Guess Who? 2019. Hval will host her very own program at the upcoming edition of the festival, inviting a.o. Japanese musician and sound artist Haco; Canadian-born, Los Angeles-based ambient artist Sarah Davachi; French sound sculptor Felicia Atkinson; Glasweg...
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...
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...
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...
Volunteering applications for LGW22 now open
Unfortunately, it is currently no longer possible to register as a volunteer for Le Guess Who? 2022. Keep an eye on our website for more information about the participation possibilities next year.***We are beyond excited to let you know that Le Guess Who? 2022 is upon us and will once again fill the streets, venues, churches and hidden c...
Maral, curated by Animal Collective for LGW22, announces new album + shares first track 'Feedback Jam'
*Update: Maral has now released her album 'Ground Groove' in full; listen below: Ground Groove by Maral LA-based, Iranian-American DJ and producer, Maral, announces the release of her upcoming album ‘Ground Groove’ and shares one of the tracks entitled ‘Feedback Jam.’ Featuring captivating electric guitar and bas...
Goat announce new album 'Oh Death'; listen to new track 'Under No Nation'
*Update: Goat have now released their new album 'Oh Death'. Stream below: Goat announce the release of their upcoming album ‘Oh Death’ and share one of the tracks entitled ‘Under No Nation.’ A fascinating blend between 70s funk and 80s post-punk, ‘Under No Nation’ transports listeners to a colourful,...
LGW22 photo series: The Staples Jr. Singers, Nyege Nyege, Estrella Morente, clipping. and more
Our residential photographers Juri Hiensch and Melanie Marsman have been exploring Le Guess Who? again in 2022, captured different photo series during the festival. The upcoming time, we'll be sharing these series on this website and our social media. Curated by Animal Collective, by Juri Hiensch For LGW22, Baltimore quartet Animal Co...
Listen: Rotterdam four-piece Lewsberg release new cassette 'Sweets'
For their upcoming tour, Rotterdam-based band Lewsberg has put together a unique, extremely limited cassette tape 'Sweets', featuring two new indie pop gems. To accompany the catchy 'Sweets' song, Lewsberg also pieced together a sweet, captivating DIY video that's assured to lift you up. While the track 'The Playground' offers list...
Listen/read: Ndox Electrique root their sound in Senegal's healing ceremonies
You can also listen to this story – below or via your favorite podcast app. On the closing day of Le Guess Who? 2023, the festival features the first international performance of Ndox Electrique, whose music is inspired by an ancient ritual of the spirit-world originating from Senegal’s n’döep ceremonies. ...
Le Guess Who? Celebrates Monumental 100th Festival Recording in Online Archive
Le Guess Who? is celebrating an impressive milestone with the publication of its 100th festival recording: dub-reggae ensemble African Head Charge live at Le Guess Who? 2023. Over the years, the festival has continuously expanded its online recording archive via leguesswho.com/recordings. The archive reflects the eclectic nature of Le Gue...
Photo series: Heba Kadry's curation by Juri Hiensch
As a hallmark of the festival, each year Le Guess Who? invites trailblazing creatives to curate their own dedicated programs, highlighting fellow like-minded artists and those that have inspired them. For the 2023 edition, Le Guess Who? invited mastering engineer Heba Kadry, who curated a comprehensive program, weaving together an array...
Volunteering applications for LGW23 now open
We got an amazing amount of enthousiastic responds to our call for volunteers, so therefore we closed the registrations for now. However, schedules always change and there is a chance that a spot will open up. That's why we opened a waiting list. You can sign up for the waiting list here.Please keep in mind that being on the waiting list...
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...
Merope release new single 'Lopšinė'
There's a sense of spontaneity and playfulness present around Merope's upcoming album Vėjula. Before the album reaches your ears in full on 5 November (released via Stroom), the duo of Lithuanian singer and kanklės player Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė and guitarist/producer Bert Cools share their latest, soothing single Lopšinė. Lopšinė...
A behind-the-scenes look into visa processes for Le Guess Who? 2024
As we near the start of Le Guess Who? 2024, we’d like to share the behind-the-scenes struggles and frustrations we are experiencing in trying to obtain visas for the artists we’ve invited to Utrecht. At Le Guess Who?, our focus and dedication has long been on developing a diverse and inclusive program, also through extensive...
Support DNA? AND? and help them create a VR Music Improvisation Experience
On the opening night of Le Guess Who? 2024, attendees will be treated to a performance by Oslo-based improvisation project DNA? AND?. Going strong for over a decade, the collective has traveled the world, played with N.U. Unruh and Hamid Drake, and gathered praise from international outlets such as The Quietus and more. For the upcoming...
EarthBall announce new album + share single 'Where I Come From'
Heavyweight psychedelic improvisers EarthBall announce their third and most monstrous record to date: Outside Over There - out on Friday, 7 November - the same day they will perform at Le Guess Who? 2025. As preview of the upcoming album, the band shares incendiary track Where I Come From. Outside Over There by EarthBall The quintet thr...
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...
Community Curators announced for U? 2025
U?, the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?, is dedicated to celebrating local and creative communities based in the Netherlands, with a strong focus on Utrecht. Through public programming, U? aims to connect people and foster personal encounters. U? returns 8 & 9 November to Utrecht for its fifth edition. The festival no...
U? collaborates with community curators for 2024 program
Le Guess Who? exists to bring people together through music and art. U?, its freely accessible city program, is dedicated to celebrating creativity in all its diversity. For U? 2024, we are collaborating with five different NL-based community curators who will highlight their communities and creativity at the festival. U? aims to collabo...
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...
Le Guess Who? & U? present Nusantara Beat
Nusantara Beat are a psych-groove sextet from Amsterdam. The group has quickly amassed a cult following, largely due to the deep connection to their Indonesian roots and a passion for honoring their cultural heritage. Photography by Juri Hiensch
Library Card shares new single 'Cognitive Dissonance'
Rotterdam-based post-punk outfit Library Card effortlessly distinguishes itself within the city's already rich guitar music scene. The band's latest single, Cognitive Dissonance, perfectly encapsulates the essence of post-punk: angular guitar riffs, angsty spoken-word vocals, and an undeniable, incendiary charisma. Library Card comprises...
Le Guess Who? & U? present Khorshid Dadbeh
Khorshid Dadbeh is an Iranian instrumentalist, improviser and composer based in Rotterdam. She presents her music by performing Tanbour, Tar, and Setar. Tanbour music belongs to the category of mystic and Sufi music that has more than five thousand years of history behind it. She learned this music from the masters who formed a bridge bet...
Le Guess Who? & U? present Sydney Lowell
Sydney Lowell is a creative spirit, human, artist and entrepreneur from Amsterdam. She mainly operates as a poet, but recently started incorporating music and movement into her creative practice. Next to that, she’s a teacher, voice actor, host, and co-founder/producer of creative platforms We The People and 2PHRASE. Sydney sees...
(...) 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...
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...
Tania Feghali on the Aura of Mediterranean Gardens
Tania Feghali is an Italian-Lebanese independent filmmaker, radio host and sound curator. Her work encompasses personal documentaries, commissioned films, sound curation, archival research, and visual reportages. Her practice revolves around film portraits, documenting the genesis of artists’ creative worlds and journeys, with a par...
Announcing the first COSMOS 2024 Embassy: Santuri East Africa
COSMOS x Santuri announce first 2024 Embassy Ahead of their first-ever electronic music summit, Kilele, COSMOS sits down with Santuri co-founder and director David Tinning as well as Nairobi staples Nyokabi Kariũki and KMRU. For a full decade, the Santuri organisation has been supporting, highlighting, and releasing a mix of con...
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...
Stay Fluid: 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,...
"If you keep something to yourself, you kill it": Behind the Scenes in Slemani, Kurdistan-Iraq
COSMOS: Behind the Scenes in Slemani, Kurdistan-Iraq Following their broadcast during Le Guess Who? 2022 as part of COSMOS, we talk to Space21's Hardi Kurda about the concept of illegality; the musical cacophony of Slemani; the US-led invasion of Iraq, which happened twenty years ago, and also how it led to surprising musical discoveries...
"I have these stories in my mind": 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...
COSMOS, our hybrid platform, returns 10-15 May
COSMOS is Le Guess Who?’s hybrid platform with both live and on-demand exclusive content. Beyond music, beyond film, and beyond borders, COSMOS translates the festival’s mission to the online environment. From 10-15 May, 2022, the 2nd edition of COSMOS will be freely available for worldwide streaming via cosmos.leguesswho.com....
Launching COSMOS, a new, hybrid platform by Le Guess Who?
As an international festival, Le Guess Who? has always worked with a borderless and boundary-crossing ethos. Now, we further enhance this focus with the launch of COSMOS: a new, hybrid platform that connects the local, physical festival environment with exclusive content that is available for worldwide, online streaming, via cosmos.legues...
Video / Photo 2021
Video Recordings Relive the festival; watch live performances by Mazaher and Suuns. The upcoming time, we'll be sharing more performances on this website and our social media. VISIT VIDEO ARCHIVE
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...
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 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.
COSMOS Embassy: Lisbon, Portugal
East Side Radio is an online radio platform streaming from Lisbon’s East Side, Portugal. It’s designed to be a hub connecting widely recognised domestic and international talent. This COSMOS Embassy was the first happening by East Side Radio after a long pause, during which a new broadcast studio was designed and constructed,...
COSMOS Embassy: Utrecht, The Netherlands
In partnership with U? U? is the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?. Now in its fourth edition, U? celebrates local and creative communities based in the Netherlands, with a strong focus on Utrecht. The festival’s mission is to amplify local communities from the fringe, serving as a radical playground for experimentati...
COSMOS Embassy Film: Utrecht, The Netherlands
In partnership with U? U? is the freely accessible city program of Le Guess Who?. Now in its fourth edition, U? celebrates local and creative communities based in the Netherlands, with a strong focus on Utrecht. The festival’s mission is to amplify local communities from the fringe, serving as a radical playground for experim...
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.
Privacy statement
Version May 2026 Le Guess Who Foundation (hereafter referred to as LGW) wishes to explain how it handles and uses your personal data. LGW values the privacy of visitors, volunteers, artists, and all employees, and is responsible for all provided data, while ensuring the protection of the data being handled. We will treat data confidentia...
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.