MUTEK Festival - the international celebration of electronic music and digital creativity - celebrates its 25th anniversary edition from August 20 to 25, 2024. Artists and music lovers from all over the world will gather in Tio'tia:ke / Mooniyang / Montréal for six days of immersion in sound and visual art.
Since its creation in 2000, MUTEK and its multiple venues have been the stage for the debuts of numerous artists, many of whom are now major figures in electronic music. In 2023, over 46,000 people enjoyed a rich and diverse selection of music, all of it free.
This year, the festival will put forth almost 80 live performances in several emblematic spaces in the heart of the city, bringing digital art to public spaces and offering Montrealers and tourists a unique, sensory experience through a journey of around twenty unique installations.
From August 15 to 29, 2024, the Village Numérique will be presented free of charge between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. in the Quartier des Spectacles, enabling everyone to discover this innovative, immersive art form.
In addition, more than 90 international experts in AI, XR, sustainability, music, architecture and video games will come together to explore the impact of technology on our lives. This edition of MUTEK’s Forum will take place from 20 to 23 August at the Monument-National and the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT), with over 60 conferences, workshops and laboratories.
Music programmer and event management expert Marie-Laure Saidani reflects on MUTEK's 25th anniversary in this special feature. With nearly 20 years of industry experience, Marie-Laure has been a co-programmer for MUTEK since 2020, contributing to the festival's esteemed reputation.
What are some special events planned to celebrate MUTEK's 25th anniversary?
MUTEK has been promoting electronic music and digital arts for 25 years. Its uniqueness lies in the predominantly live musical performances (as opposed to DJ sets). MUTEK's strength is in offering exclusive line-ups in North America, setting it apart from other festivals. However, this specificity can be a limitation, as most people do not recognize the names. Fortunately, our audience trusts us.
I remember a Reddit comment about one of our line-ups: "Are these made up names?" But, some of these artists are now performing at more mainstream festivals, for example, Honey Dijon, who played in 2018, just went on a stadium tour, or Overmono, who performed at our 20th edition and was at Osheaga this year.
To celebrate this anniversary edition, we have planned several large-scale international projects for the Experience stage (outdoors and free): Mathew Jonson, Maara, Bored Lord, Piezo, Marie Davidson, Waajeed, James K, Siete Catorce, Virginia, in addition to some artists performing live indoors and doing DJ sets outside.
Regarding digital arts, one of our special projects for this 25th anniversary is the free presentation of 23 works in public spaces for three weeks in the Quartier des spectacles. It's not the first time we've organized an exhibition, but it's the first of this scale. Its little name? Le Village Numérique.
How has the festival managed to attract such a diverse lineup?
MUTEK aims to be a platform for multiple voices in the electronic music field. Participating in MUTEK can be an exciting moment in artists' careers. On the one hand, because MUTEK is internationally recognized for this genre of music, and on the other hand, because it can open the door to other opportunities, whether for dates in other countries or for artistic collaborations. And finally, everyone wants to come to Montreal!
The programming of our festival is built around several axes. At least 50% of our line-up are Canadian projects; artists from or living in the region (now called Canada). Some come from our “call for projects” launched every November, while others are selected following direct conversations with artists we follow. Those international projects we have been following for a long time, those we have fallen in love with in the past year during our outreach, and those suggested by our international partners (MUTEK is also based in Buenos Aires, Santiago, Mexico City, Tokyo, Barcelona, and Dubai).
It is no secret that the music industry, and particularly electronic music, is dominated by men. Gender parity is always desired, never achieved, but we are often in the parity zone for performances. Over the past ten years, we made significant changes that are visible in our programming.
Presenting live performances adds an extra difficulty, requiring time to produce music, visuals, and scenography, as well as knowledge and access to instruments and equipment. The luxury of touring remains another obstacle.
For women and those identifying as women, barriers are omnipresent. We participate in the European gender parity program, Keychange. We have hosted several cohorts, whether artists or innovators. We also created the AMPLIFY D.A.I program for women or those identifying as women or non-binary in digital art and electronic music.
This project, set up and funded by the British Council, CAM, CCA, CALQ, Summer Set House Studios, MUTEK Montreal, Buenos Aires, and many other partners, lasted from 2018 to 2023, ending due to lack of funds. Each annual cohort benefited from mentoring, training, and one or two international dates, which helped create a strong and supportive network. Thanks to Patti Schmidt (Programmer from 2008 to 2019) for giving momentum to this movement.
Diversity is a cross-cutting issue, to be considered on stage and behind the scenes. The barriers faced by women are even more pronounced for women and non-binary BIPOC individuals. How can we break down these barriers and create a safe space for these artists to express themselves at MUTEK? Our entire team is aware of this context. We benefit from constructive feedback from our audience, artists, and engaged guests, which allows us to question ourselves and move forward.
This year, we have the privilege of collaborating with Feminae Nox, a collective that promotes equity for women and BIPOC individuals who are non-binary in music and nightlife. In addition to co-presenting the Nocturne 4 dome, Feminae Nox is organizing a panel at the Forum on Friday titled “Electronic Music is Black Music - Reclaiming and Tracing Electronic Music’s Roots, Present and Future” and a workshop titled “Passion to Profession: Building a Global Brand in the Music Industry.”
Photo Credit: Bruno Destombes (MUTEK 21)
How has MUTEK influenced the local music and arts community in Montréal over the past 25 years?
MUTEK has always been a playground for artists. Many local artists (meaning artists living in Canada) have presented, and continue to present, their first-ever live performances at MUTEK. This requires a great deal of trust in the context (will the production means be efficient? Will the audience be receptive?). It's a risky endeavor. We can never thank them enough for giving us the opportunity to present them at the festival.
During MUTEK week, an entire local and international community gathers in Montreal to celebrate electronic music through performances, panels, conferences, and workshops. This stimulates creativity!
Networking is very important in music, as it can lead to new ideas, collaborations, and most importantly, sharing a collective experience.
In 2020, we launched an initiative to support Canadian artists in developing their careers: MUTEK Market. Each year, we support about twenty artists with training and workshops, and we organize meetings with festival programmers so they can promote themselves. These artists perform at the festival.
This year, we introduced a new initiative, MUTEK Incubator. This program supports 10 artists who wish to professionalize themselves through training and mentorship. Although these artists are not performing at the festival this year, they may well have the opportunity to do so in the near future!
Eris Drew DJ set | Photo Credit: Frédérique Ménard-Aubin
What are some of your favorite moments from your time with the festival?
I have way too many fond memories of MUTEK. Before working there, it was my favorite festival, both personally and professionally. I'm talking about it in the past tense not because I don't love it anymore, but because I can't enjoy it the same way. Haha.
In the early days of MUTEK, what I loved most (sarcasm intended): there were no lines for the women's restrooms, while there was a long queue for the men! Now, there are lines everywhere, partly because the audience has diversified, but also because the restrooms are no longer gendered.
I used to love going to the AVision program at the Monument National back then. These programs, where performances combine visual scenography and sound, were (and still are) the only ones at the festival with seated places. I could alternately take naps, marvel, not understand anything, and leave wondering what had happened.
Musically : Gangpol & Mit (2007), Underground Resistance (2008), Ricardo Villalobos & ZIP (2009), Ikonika (2010), Emptyset (2011), Jeff Mills (2012), RAMZi (2013), Marie Davidson (2014), Andy Stott (2015), Aïsha devi (2016), Surgeon & Lady Starlight (2018), fuse* presents Dökk (2019) , Being capable of producing shows (2020), Phèdre (2021), Tarta Relena (2022), Deena Abdelwahed (2023)
Can you share some highlights from your time programming MUTEK?
Programming a festival involves dealing with cancellations and travel-related complications: flight delays, missed connections, lost luggage, visa delays... It's ten days of a rollercoaster.
I particularly remember the Thursday night at MTelus in 2022. The lineup included MUE, Marina Herlop, Bendik Giske, SMERZ, and Caterina Barbieri. Marina Herlop was then supposed to go on tour in the United States and needed a visa that was taking a long time to arrive. Her entire team arrived in Montreal in dribs and drabs on the morning of the concert, except for her. She was in transit to Toronto.
Caterina Barbieri | Photo Credit: BRUNODESTOM
We had to modify the soundcheck schedule every hour to allow her to do one. But her flight from Toronto to Montreal was delayed due to a thunderstorm. So we reorganized everything: the venue was already open and the shows had started, but we changed the entire running order. The other artists were very generous and agreed to change their schedules. Finally, Marina arrived in Montreal and at MTelus. The concert took place. It was a very emotional moment for the artists, the programming team, and especially the production team!
From a development perspective, the Keychange and Amplify DAI projects remain among my best memories. These programs aim to promote the place of women, people who identify as women, and non-binary genders in music and digital art. The meetings, discussions, and performances that resulted will remain etched in my memory. I could probably elaborate on this point with many other anecdotes, but we could talk about that around a coffee !
What are you most excited for attendees to experience at this year's edition?
I can't wait to reconnect with the audience and the artists for a week and feel that ultra-creative and effervescent atmosphere that's unique to any festival.
I'm really looking forward to seeing many local artists: G L O W Z I, who is presenting a new live show; ÈBONY, who is releasing an album on the day of their performance; CHXMERAS, West Coast artists who released an album this year titled "Terminal City"; Jacques Greene, who is presenting the premiere of his live set with Nosaj Thing; the new AV live set for the dome by Sinjin Hawke and Zora Jones; Tati au miel's performance, who is also preparing an exhibition for the fall; Dj Hermano and OJPB, who will present "Club Merengue"; CLOUD BODIES, a dance performance designed for the dome; and Liliane Chlela, who will present her new album "Anatomy of a Jerk."
I could spend hours telling you everything I'm looking forward to. I can't wait to see it all, but I have to restrain myself because it's impossible to see everything (we share the events with my colleagues). The image of MUTEK may seem austere, but it's much more fun than you might think.
Do you have any artist recommendations for the audience to check out at the new venue New City Gas?
A stellar lineup in a unique venue, still relatively unknown to our audience. A former factory and EDM temple in Montreal, this place is also a superb concert hall. Last year, the reaction from the public and the NCG was very positive, so we decided to come back with an even more ambitious proposal.
Patrick Watson will present an experimental show, in the same vein as what he proposed in 2020. Kara-Lis Coverdale, whom we have been following for years, and Colin Stetson, a saxophonist with whom we have long wanted to collaborate, will also be part of this program.