Huddersfield’s most experimental music festival is back.
The 38th Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival will burst into action on November 20 to showcase some of the top avant garde musicians from around the world.
Almost 50 free and ticketed performances will take place during the nine day event, which is renowned as the UK’s largest international festival of new and experimental music, at various venues around the town including University of Huddersfield, Bates Mill and the Hudawi Centre.
Festival goers will have the chance to hear 25 world and 79 UK premiere pieces which cover genres as diverse as electronica, classical, psychedelica and reggae sound systems.
Many will be focused on the music of Poland, which the festival wants to celebrate.
And this year, family friendly events have been given a big push at this year’s event along with a full day of free short music performances on Monday 23 to introduce new audiences to experimental music.
Sarah McWatt, the learning and participation officer, said: “Last year we noticed that people were bringing children along to events which were family friendly but not dedicated especially to children.
“So we decided to put on some specific events to make them as accessible to them as possible.
“On the Monday we will have a children’s opera called Up the Mountains for those aged up to three and under fives will be able to take part in making music on a graphic score in a workshop called Music at Play.
“If someone’s never been to the festival before this day is ideal for them because they will be able to see lots of different types of music in short bursts.
“On Saturday 28 we will have another event featuring young people called Just a Vibration which will include Indian classical musicians the Hammonds Saltaire Brass Band Bradford Music Service Youth Brass Band and South Asian Arts UK.
“Then on Sunday 29 we will put on an MCing or toasting workshop for 13 to 16-year-olds at the Heritage Quay building at the University of Huddersfield from 1.30pm, who will then perform with a sound system pop up at the Creative Arts Atrium at the university featuring a DJ set by Huddersfield’s Paul Huxtable.”
Take a look at last year's event below.
The festival will open with a 16 piece Austrian ensemble called Klangforum Wien at 6pm at St Paul’s Hall on November 20.
Two more performances will take place that evening then full day events will be on offer each day until it closes on November 29.
Places for the Up the Mountains and Music at Play should be booked by emailing s.mcwatt@hud.ac.uk.
For more information about the festival, go to www.hcmf.co.uk
