Le Guess Who? Festival Stories

Le Guess Who?
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Le Guess Who? is a Celebration of Sound in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The festival is dedicated to boundary-crossing music & culture from all over the world.

  1. Artistic Freedom Under Threat: Mobility, Censorship & the Right to Create

    7h ago

    Artistic Freedom Under Threat: Mobility, Censorship & the Right to Create

    Artistic freedom is too often reduced to “freedom of expression”, but for artists and independent cultural organizers, the ground is much more complex. It’s not only what someone can say, but where someone can go, how someone can live, who someone can reach, and whether someone can sustain the work without fear. In this podcast, the first in a series of conversations recorded at Le Guess Who?’s Sound & Culture Summit, three music and arts practitioners from Syria, Georgia and Malaysia join us to offer their perspectives, based on the experiences in their home cultures as well as the place they now call home. ‘Artistic Freedom Under Threat: Mobility, Censorship & the Right to Create’ features U? curator Al-Shaheen Falcon, Nino Davadze of Mutant Radio Tbilisi and Victoria Yam, co-founder of ALIGN.ONLINE and also known as rEmPiT g0dDe$$. The conversation is moderated by Manon Moulin and curated by Reset! network. Audio recording by Marc Broer Editing by Margaret Munchheimer Photography by 36framez

    1h 5m
  2. Ndox Electrique root their sound in Senegal's healing ceremonies, by Atiyyah Khan

    11/03/2023

    Ndox Electrique root their sound in Senegal's healing ceremonies, by Atiyyah Khan

    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.  Here, Atiyyah Khan, an arts journalist, researcher and DJ from Johannesburg, introduces the group and provides context to the origins of this healing ritual that connects so strongly to their sound.  Words & audio by Atiyyah Khan Photography by Gianna Greco & François R. Cambuzat

    25 min
  3. Kamilya Jubran: Witnessing a transcendent moment on stage

    10/24/2023

    Kamilya Jubran: Witnessing a transcendent moment on stage

    Born in Palestine and currently based in Paris, Kamilya Jubran is one of the most revered figures in the experimental and alternative Arabic music scenes.  Through her multi-disciplinary work, Jubran continues to inspire a new generation of both musicians and audiences. One of those musicians is Sandy Chamoun, part of the Lebanese group SANAM who are also performing at Le Guess Who? 2023. We asked Sandy Chamoun to share a personal introduction to Kamilya Jubran’s life and work. Words & audio by Sandy Chamoun Photography by Alexia Fiasco

    10 min
  4. Renowned Pakistani qawwali singer Faiz Ali Faiz by Arooj Aftab

    10/10/2023

    Renowned Pakistani qawwali singer Faiz Ali Faiz by Arooj Aftab

    Having been born to seven consecutive generations of qawwals (those who perform the ancient form of religious Sufi music from Pakistan and Northern India - Punjab - known as qawwali), Faiz Ali Faiz was raised on the practice. After having performed at Le Guess Who? in 2021, we asked Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab, whose work is inspired by Sufi poets and musicians that came before her, to interview Faiz Ali Faiz. They talked about his background story, what music means to him, and about pushing the boundaries of what qawwali can be. Words & audio by Arooj Aftab Photography by Lucien Lung

    7 min
  5. AMPFEMININE is here to prove that female and non-binary producers are out there, they just need the space, and community, to flourish.

    09/22/2023

    AMPFEMININE is here to prove that female and non-binary producers are out there, they just need the space, and community, to flourish.

    Rotterdam based-DJ collective AMPFEMININE scours its diverse database to bring an evening of fresh feminine energy to this year’s Le Guess Who? proving that female and non-binary DJs are out there, they just need the space - and community - to flourish . Words & audio by Cheri Percy Photography by Tengbeh Kamara

    8 min
  6. How seven trailblazing Le Guess Who? artists reimagine their cultural and musical heritage

    09/20/2023

    How seven trailblazing Le Guess Who? artists reimagine their cultural and musical heritage

    For 16 years and counting, Le Guess Who? has strived to create a space for generations of music lovers and makers to come together. A podium, where icons of their trade not just pass the baton to those that carve out a new path – but where they engage on eye-level. This year, the Le Guess Who? line-up once again boasts an array of young artists and newer acts that, all in their own way, recalibrate their musical and cultural heritage, and create a whole new thing on top of it. Their contribution to the world of music may come in different forms: be it field recordings and experimental composition, intricate raps, club-ready Egyptian street sounds, or celestial Harp&B. What they all share is an infallible sensibility for their roots, and a clear vision for where they’re headed. Words by Julian Brimmers Audio by Cheri Percy

    21 min
  7. 15 years of Le Guess Who?: How one Dutch festival became home to music fans across the globe

    11/03/2022

    15 years of Le Guess Who?: How one Dutch festival became home to music fans across the globe

    Ahead of its 15th Anniversary Edition, Cheri Percy speaks to the co-founders of forward-thinking festival Le Guess Who? about its evolution from a two-man team to an award-winning movement. Boundary-breaking artists and former guest curators Camae Ayewa (Moor Mother) and Radwan Ghazi Moumneh (Jerusalem In My Heart) also weigh in alongside local figureheads Margriet van Kraats and Marlies Timmermans to explain why Utrecht's annual music event has since become home to music fans across the globe.  Words & audio: Cheri Percy Music (live at Le Guess Who?): Minyo Crusaders, Suuns, Makaya McCraven, Beverly Copeland, Alabaster dePlume, Selda Bağcan Photography: Jelmer de Haas Thanks to Camae Ayewa, Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, Margriet van Kraats and Marlies Timmermans

    52 min
  8. Flamenco innovator Lole Montoya: “I would not be able to sing something I’m not feeling”

    10/19/2022

    Flamenco innovator Lole Montoya: “I would not be able to sing something I’m not feeling”

    Already at an early age, Lole Montoya decided that she wanted to dedicate her life to singing. But not only did she indeed become a singer, she also redefined the flamenco genre by bringing in new influences, genres and poetry. Her skill has been displayed across a long repertoire, which includes her work as part of the renowned duo Lole y Manuel, surely one of the most important musical duos in popular Spanish music. This year, Lole Montoya gives a rare performance at Le Guess Who? as part of the Hidden Musics program. We asked Marina Herlop, a Barcelona-based musician, singer and sound artist, to give a personal introduction to Lole Montoya’s music, vision and in the end: to her life’s work. Words & audio by Marina Herlop

    9 min
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About

Le Guess Who? is a Celebration of Sound in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The festival is dedicated to boundary-crossing music & culture from all over the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Le Guess Who?
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Le Guess Who? Festival Stories
  • Show Website
    Le Guess Who? Festival Stories