A celebration of sound swept through Utrecht last weekend as the city welcomed the new edition of Le Guess Who?. True to its spirit and values, the festival once again dissolved boundaries with a global lineup that showcased the depth and diversity of music cultures from around the globe.
This year, Le Guess Who? hosted 4 TIMES co-curation together with Elevate and Terraforma.
Co-curated with Elevate:
When an extraordinary trio collides with the avant-rap vanguard, something great unfolds. Mopcut—featuring experimental vocalist and electronic alchemist Audrey Chen, master percussionist Lukas Koenig, and guitar maverick Julien Desprez—was elevated even further when MC dälek stepped onto the stage. Performing their new album RYOK, Mopcut twisted grooves and rock riffs into a raw hip-hop track, with MC dälek joining as a guest.
A truly cinematic experience unfolded with Julianna Barwick. Her choral soundscapes and luminous voice made the cathedral glow, holding audience in awe.
Co-curated with Terraforma:
Merope, with their ancestral singing, shared the stage with Shahzad Ismaily, legendary bassist and multi-instrumentalist. Together, they radiated a deep sense of connection and openness. Beautiful vocals, experimental guitar, electronics, Lithuanian folk interpretations, jazz, and other influences blended seamlessly into one heartfelt performance.
Heinali & Andriana-Yaroslava Saienko
Гільдеґарда, a Ukrainian reworking of Hildegard von Bingen’s music by Heinali and Andriana-Yaroslava Saienko, captivated the audience. Andriana’s voice floated and reverberated through the church, while Heinali’s modular system added layers of deep, resonant textures, making the space itself seem alive with music.
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force returned to Le Guess Who? with their new album Khadim, delivering a thrilling, unstoppable performance. Veteran percussionist Bada Seck and singer Mbene Diatta Seck drove the group with electrifying rhythms, as sharp electronics and pulsing dub bass fused into a percussive powerhouse that shook the room.
