FESTIVAL 2025

This year's festival is 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. This year we will explore the topic ‘Experiments in Magic'. Weighty talks given by guest speakers sit alongside shorter provocations gathered through an open call. The weekend also includes a sound walk, a screening of the documentary 'City of a Million Dreams: parading for the dead in New Orleans' and several Q&As. The vibe is low-key and friendly, whilst definitely being thought-provoking.

If you can't be in the room with us or you want to revisit some of the performances, festival documentation will arrive on YouTube on 18 April and highlights will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3. 

eavesdropping is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner supported by PPL.