FESTIVAL 2026

Our next festival is once again held at Cafe OTO and Vortex Jazz Club. Over the course of four evenings, eight performers present their latest works or works-in-progress in the intimate and informal setting of Cafe OTO. The programming within each set is artist-led: repertoire is only announced on the night, giving the performers the control and the flexibility to present whatever serves them best and giving the public special insight into the performer's freshest work. We aim to stimulate your ears and your imagination by presenting a surprising collection of artists working at the experimental fringes or intersections of various musical genres. In the lead up to the festival, you can find out more about our featured artists here or by exploring our podcast (search for 'eavesdropping conversations' wherever you find your podcasts).

At the heart of the festival is the forum, a two-day gathering at Vortex Jazz Club for local and visiting artists alike to reflect together on a given topic. Our 2026 festival forum will explore CULTIVATING COURAGE: TROUBLE-MAKERS & RISK-TAKERS. Weighty talks given by guest speakers sit alongside shorter provocations gathered through an open call. The vibe is low-key and friendly, whilst definitely being thought-provoking. The Call for Provocations is now open — this is our invitation to get involved! 

The festival box office opens 31 January 2026. 

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