ALTERITY by Jacco Gardner
Multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and media archaeologist Jacco Gardner has been connecting music, technology, and visual art since his HKU education (2007–2011). Gardner's artistic practice is characterized by his collection of rare synthesizers, light machines, and historical electronic instruments with unique technology. His technical expertise with analog synthesizers, legacy studio hardware, and MAX/MSP reflects his ongoing interest in the dialogue between human creativity and technological innovation. He is currently undertaking a doctoral research path into the spirit of that early digital era and the role of AI in creative practice, of which ALTERITY is a central artistic output.
With ALTERITY he excavates a forgotten moment in the history of human-machine collaboration. The piece's narration, written and researched by art historian María Pandiello, traces humanity's recurring desire to build thinking companions; against it, sound, light, and image are synthesized live, each element responsive to the others, in a format closer to improvisation against a silent film, except the film is audio narration and the improvised response is audiovisual.
See ALTERITY at 16:00-16:45 and 20:45-21:30.
Credits:
- Creator: Jacco Gardner
- Performance by: Jacco Gardner
- Narration & Research: Maria Pandiello
- Research and historic-futuristic design: Edwin Gardner
- Video & Animation: Lucas Laujedo
- Producer: Floris Smit | UPscaleXR
- Supported by: Stimuleringsfonds voor de creatieve industrie
Julia Sabaté
The half Spanish, half Dutch Julia Sabaté grew up with two cultures and found that it has its advantages, but it can also lead to inner conflicts. Questions like who are you, how do you identify yourself and what values align with you? This balance came naturally when Julia began to express her thoughts in Spanish. With her third single ‘Hipocresia’ she opens the world of her upcoming album ‘Egoísta’: a collection of twelve songs, each representing a different coping mechanism on the path toward gradually reclaiming yourself.
puntjudith
As one of the upcoming, promising artists in the Dutch and Flemish music scene, puntjudith creates expressive, Dutch electronic pop music. Her music weaves raw sounds, heavy beats, and pulsating basslines with personal and existential themes, allowing her to strike a chord with a generation seeking connection in an increasingly digitized and individualistic world. Her music is described as a mix of electronics and poetic experimentation, inspired by artists like Eefje De Visser and James Blake.
Ramses3000
The artistic career of multidisciplinary artist Yannick Verhoeven, better known as Ramses3000, is all about innovation and cultural convergence. In collaboration with Studio Wotto, he created a unique cross-pollination where the classical and digital world come together. The project combines analog and digital visual technologies and seamlessly aligns with the producer's current live set. In doing so, it utilizes the ink techniques from the psychedelic liquid light shows of the 70s, translated into a contemporary form through the combination with generative audio applications and a matching light show.
YRSA
By combining solid alternative pop with her love for the Dutch language, YRSA amplifies life's small moments. She compels her listeners to pause and reflect on moments that others might let slip away. These stories are delivered with driving instrumentation, poetic lyrics, and expressive melodies. For fans of Spinvis, Wende Snijders & Eefje De Visser.
Samen Alleen in het Clubhuis by YRSA
Singer-songwriter YRSA creates alternative pop mixed with poetic Dutch lyrics, in which she amplifies the 'small moments'. She has developed a live concept, in which technology is used to strengthen the bond between the artist and audience, without losing the intimacy of her music. With 'Samen Alleen in het Clubhuis', you become part of the show. Via your phone and of fellow audience members; light patterns will form, a glowing line will be drawn across the room or transform the scene into a starry night. It’s subtle, heartfelt, and true to YRSA’s mission — creating a space where people can feel together, alone.
Hybrid Music Vibes
The Hybrid Music Vibes project offers artists the opportunity to discover how new technologies can contribute to their artistry. Together they look for innovative ideas, new sounds and groundbreaking experiences. What technical possibilities are there and how can they strengthen their art? Through inspiring sessions with experts and work sessions, they explore the possibilities and are challenged to apply the new technologies in their work with the support of Effenaar Lab and its partners.
Hybrid Music Vibes is an initiative of Effenaar Lab in collaboration with Rockacademie Tilburg, PopCollegetour, Thunderboom Records, Bureau Difficult Things, Studio Wotto and is supported by Cultuurloket DigitALL.
Tussen Eb en Vloed by AURA
Enter the sonic universe of AURA, where classical textures and electronic soundscapes merge into an intuitive, sensory-driven composition. With her work she explores the physical and visual dimensions of sound. She presents her new installation where sound becomes visible, physical and deeply felt. Using laser beamers and smoke, real-time light patterns ripple through space in sync with her music. Each sound wave shapes a unique beam of light. Resonance becomes spatial — a vibration you can almost touch. Step inside, and experience a world where sound, emotion, and space become one grounding, tangible experience.
Hybrid Music Vibes
The Hybrid Music Vibes project offers artists the opportunity to discover how new technologies can contribute to their artistry. Together they look for innovative ideas, new sounds and groundbreaking experiences. What technical possibilities are there and how can they strengthen their art? Through inspiring sessions with experts and work sessions, they explore the possibilities and are challenged to apply the new technologies in their work with the support of Effenaar Lab and its partners.
Hybrid Music Vibes is an initiative of Effenaar Lab in collaboration with Rockacademie Tilburg, PopCollegetour, Thunderboom Records, Bureau Difficult Things, Studio Wotto and is supported by Cultuurloket DigitALL.
Stad van Glas by puntjudith
Dutch singer puntjudith makes expressive, electronic pop music. Her music interweaves raw sounds, heavy beats and pulsating basses with personal and existential lyrics, striking the chord of a generation that is looking for connection in an increasingly digitized and individualistic world. During her Hit The City performance she will present her new works from her recent album 'Stad van Glas', which was released last May. Inspired by her grandfather's letters and diaries, her latest single 'Blijf', reflects on embracing imperfection and maintaining hope in chaotic times. The track is a love letter to the future and marks a new phase in her career.
Hybrid Music Vibes
The Hybrid Music Vibes project offers artists the opportunity to discover how new technologies can contribute to their artistry. Together they look for innovative ideas, new sounds and groundbreaking experiences. What technical possibilities are there and how can they strengthen their art? Through inspiring sessions with experts and work sessions, they explore the possibilities and are challenged to apply the new technologies in their work with the support of Effenaar Lab and its partners.
Hybrid Music Vibes is an initiative of Effenaar Lab in collaboration with Rockacademie Tilburg, PopCollegetour, Thunderboom Records, Bureau Difficult Things, Studio Wotto and is supported by Cultuurloket DigitALL.
OK AI by DOMNIQ x WERC
OK AI - Pilot Work-In-Progress
Step into the future of music and visuals. During Hit The City, you will be able to try out the very first version of OK AI – a new interactive installation where you become the composer, creator, and designer, making music and visuals together with technology. You’ll perform alongside real robots and smart software. This is your chance to help shape the development of a mobile concert hall packed with technology that will tour the world starting in 2026. Share your thoughts, take part in the testing, and prepare to be amazed.
Developed by DOMNIQ (artist Dominique Vleeshouders) and the WERC Collective, and supported by leading partners such as Adams, Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, Effenaar, and ESNS, OK AI stands at the forefront of creative innovation.
Effenaar Living History by Effenaar + 4DR Studios
Dive into the rich history and iconic concerts of Effenaar through an interactive VR experience. History, music and fun: Get a sneak peek of Effenaar's own VR experience! Stroll around nostalgic rooms and find objects that will let you experience bits of the tumultuous 70's and 80's, when bands like Joy Division, Talking Heads, and Red Hot Chili Peppers made their debut at Effenaar. The experience is built by 4DR Studios and supported by Podiumkunst.net.