The future is now, and the Music Gallery has its finger on the pulse. The Toronto venue is hosting What Is: Futurism, a multi-part series of performances and panel discussions, from May 10 to 13, to consider what it means to propel music forward into an ever-uncertain future.
In partnership with Montreal's MUTEK, alongside Toronto's own Blackhurst Cultural Centre and Inter/Access, the thinking ahead begins with a panel — featuring ShoShona Kish, Semiah Smith, Beverley McKiver and G.R. Gritt — discussing what sovereignty sounds like for Indigenous musicians, as led by Ange Loft. The following evening sees New York's Bergonsist performing a live electronic set alongside an audiovisual performance by Acote and Fezz Stenton, all considering the future's complexities based on water.
On May 12, graphic novelist Abu Qadim Haqq gives an artist talk on his novel, The Book of Drexciya. The grand finale follows with beloved crew Imbue Detroit: 13 artists create a seven-hour day dedicated to interpretations of the future with a durational audiovisual concert to embed visions into the wooden structure of the Gallery, which was previously a Buddhist temple.
The first and third events are free to attend. Tickets for the second and fourth are on sale now via Showclix.
See the full lineup of programming below.
Event 1: What Sovereignty Sounds Like - The Next Chapter (7 p.m. at the Music Gallery)
Beverley McKiver
ShoShona Kish
Semiah Smith
G.R. Gritt
Curated & hosted by Ange Loft
Event 2: The Future of Water (8 p.m. at the Music Gallery)
Bergsonist
Acote & Fezz Stenton
Event 3: The Future of People (7 p.m. at the Blackhurst Cultural Centre)
Abu Qadim Haqq
R-ODERICK
Event 4: The Future Resonates (3 p.m. at the Music Gallery)
Obuxum
Masayuki Tomita
tUkU
Francois Dillinger
Racine
Mue
VJs:
ACE
bjsphantasyclub
Felice
Harriet Fran
Light Bender
Installation Artists:
Ashely Worden
Matilda
In partnership with Montreal's MUTEK, alongside Toronto's own Blackhurst Cultural Centre and Inter/Access, the thinking ahead begins with a panel — featuring ShoShona Kish, Semiah Smith, Beverley McKiver and G.R. Gritt — discussing what sovereignty sounds like for Indigenous musicians, as led by Ange Loft. The following evening sees New York's Bergonsist performing a live electronic set alongside an audiovisual performance by Acote and Fezz Stenton, all considering the future's complexities based on water.
On May 12, graphic novelist Abu Qadim Haqq gives an artist talk on his novel, The Book of Drexciya. The grand finale follows with beloved crew Imbue Detroit: 13 artists create a seven-hour day dedicated to interpretations of the future with a durational audiovisual concert to embed visions into the wooden structure of the Gallery, which was previously a Buddhist temple.
The first and third events are free to attend. Tickets for the second and fourth are on sale now via Showclix.
See the full lineup of programming below.
Event 1: What Sovereignty Sounds Like - The Next Chapter (7 p.m. at the Music Gallery)
Beverley McKiver
ShoShona Kish
Semiah Smith
G.R. Gritt
Curated & hosted by Ange Loft
Event 2: The Future of Water (8 p.m. at the Music Gallery)
Bergsonist
Acote & Fezz Stenton
Event 3: The Future of People (7 p.m. at the Blackhurst Cultural Centre)
Abu Qadim Haqq
R-ODERICK
Event 4: The Future Resonates (3 p.m. at the Music Gallery)
Obuxum
Masayuki Tomita
tUkU
Francois Dillinger
Racine
Mue
VJs:
ACE
bjsphantasyclub
Felice
Harriet Fran
Light Bender
Installation Artists:
Ashely Worden
Matilda
