he International Festival of Digital Creativity and Electronic Music MUTEK today reveals the first artists confirmed for its 27th edition, taking place August 25–30, 2026 in Montréal.
Bringing together pioneers of electronic music, leading figures from the contemporary scene and bold emerging voices, the first wave of artists outlines a programme true to the groundbreaking festival’s DNA: with a balance of breaking artists, highly anticipated returns and shows that push the boundaries of art, technology and music. This first announcement focuses primarily on international artists, with a significant group of Québec and Canadian artists to be revealed in the next wave.
Across six days and six nights, the festival unites the global electronic and artistic community, providing a space for experimentation and creativity like no other.
A singular event across multiple venues
MUTEK’s unique format sees performances take place across multiple venues throughout the city center arts district, the Quartier des spectacles, with the programme adapted to each unique venue. These include a free outdoor programme at the esplanade Tranquille, immersive and experimental works at the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT), and a dancefloor focused night programme at MTELUS. This year also adds a new venue, the Maison symphonique—which will host several major works in its concert hall—a marvel of acoustic engineering.
“The Maison symphonique opens up a new dimension for MUTEK: a monumental listening space where works take on an almost cinematic scale. This 27th edition places an even stronger emphasis on live performance and on a walkable festival circuit, allowing audiences to experience the festival as a true sonic exploration in the heart of the city.”
— Alain Mongeau, Executive Co-director and Artistic Director, MUTEK
In addition to these venues, a more intimate programme will also unfold at the Atrium and Studio-Théâtre of Les Grands Ballets.
Pioneers, still innovating
The programme also features artists who continue to redefine the vitality of electronic music.
Detroit techno pioneer Jeff Mills will present the North American premiere of Stargate, a new immersive performance inspired by his ongoing explorations of science-fiction universes.
Austrian guitarist and composer Fennesz and visual artist Lillevan celebrate the 25th anniversary of the landmark album Endless Summer, a defining work of contemporary electronic music.
Manchester's original acid house innovator A Guy Called Gerald will perform Black SecretTechnology, his 1995 album that became a jungle classic.
A creative genius returning to MUTEK and Montréal after a 13-year absence, Matthew Herbert will present a new socially engaged work exploring the theme of food insecurity, continuing a practice where music intersects with social and political questions.
New Rituals in Electronic Music
Several projects in this edition take the form of contemporary rituals, combining collective emotions, sonic experimentation and radical performance.
The Japanese collective ELECTRONICOS FANTASTICOS!, led by Ei Wada, who marked the 20th edition of MUTEK with his Open Reel Ensemble project, transforms electronic waste — televisions, fans and obsolete circuits — into electromagnetic instruments in participatory performances that blend sound-art, creative recycling and technological critique.
A major figure in the American experimental noise scene, Evicshen will present a highly physical and unpredictable performance using DIY instruments and unconventional sonic devices, while Québec composer Florence-Delphine Roux premieres a new project developed in collaboration with the AVATAR centre.
At the Maison symphonique, composer Tristan Perich and organist James McVinnie will perform Infinity Gradient, an immersive work for organ and one hundred speakers that transforms the concert hall into a vast sonic instrument, while the duo Voices From The Lake make a highly anticipated return to the festival with their hypnotic ambient techno, which has gained cult status.
Finally, Japanese group Violent Magic Orchestra will blur the boundaries between rave, black metal and audiovisual performance.
The Global Electronic Avant-Garde
MUTEK continues its tradition of spotlighting artists from around the world who are shaping the future of electronic sound through the lens of diaspora.
Toronto-based Colombian producer chiquitamagic will present a hardware-driven project blending raw techno, jazz and Latin American influences, while Hong Kong producer gyrofield delivers a world-premiere live performance, confirming her status as a leading voice in experimental bass music. This edition also sees the first appearance at MUTEK of Nazar, the Angolan artist whose powerful message is reinforced through sculpted electronics and skewed R&B.
From the concert to the club.
MUTEK also showcases artists who are shaking up club music from the inside out, pushing the boundaries of sonic exploration while applying the lessons learned from Europe’s busiest floors to their production.
At the top of the list are Ben UFO, the Hessle Audio founder, whose highly varied sets have oscillated between experimentation and accessibility for 20 years, and Barker, who won over critics and audiences alike with his album Stochastic Drift, released in 2025 on Smalltown Supersound.
Between organic techno and modular exploration, German producers Polygonia and JakoJako will perform highly anticipated live shows, while Mia Koden and NVST will embody the raw energy of contemporary bass and rave scenes. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the bpm spectrum, New York trio Purelink will represent the new wave of post-club ambient music, and Dave Huismans (2562 / A Made Up Sound) will showcase textured sounds, somewhere between dub and club.
In this musical constellation, the unique worlds of Canadians Honeydrip and Cleo Leigh stand out, pushing the limits of their machines to deliver solar performances.
Music, visuals and architecture
Crossovers between music, image and spatial design also play a central role in this edition.
Swiss composer Noémi Büchi presents Exuvie, a new audiovisual live performance combining electroacoustic abstraction with immersive sound design.
British producer Rival Consoles brings a live AV show where cinematic compositions unfold through a deeply immersive visual environment.
Finally, Sphaîra, a project by experimental vocalist Sara Persico and visual artist Mika Oki, draws inspiration from the acoustic properties of Oscar Niemeyer’s dome in Tripoli, creating an audiovisual experience where voice, architecture and light interact.
MUTEK Forum - Ideas that change the conversation
The 27th edition marks a turning point for the MUTEK Forum, the festival’s platform for connection and discussion. Taking place from August 26th-28th This year, for the first time, the Forum expands across two of Montreal’s key performing arts institutions — the Atrium and Studio-Théâtre of Les Grands Ballets and Agora de la Danse.
The programme will include talks, project presentations, performance lectures and workshops, positioning the festival week as a major international hub for professionals exploring the changing nature of creativity in a digital age.
A range of networking activities will also take place throughout the week, creating opportunities for the local sector while serving as an international platform for Québec’s creative ecosystem. The MUTEK Market, dedicated to fostering opportunities and connections for Canadian artists and creatives, returns for its most ambitious edition yet, welcoming dozens of curators and decision-makers from around the world.
Full Forum programming will be announced in April.
Ticket Information
The Festival + Forum Passport, which provides access to the festival's regular paid programs and all Forum activities, is now on sale at an introductory price of $420. The Festival Passport and Weekend Pass are still on sale for $270 and $200, respectively, until midnight, then $320 and $235 (taxes and service fees not included). The Forum Passport and individual tickets will go on sale in the coming months.
