By Keoni Bediakoh –

Ten-day celebration brings bold new sounds, global talent and boundary-pushing performances to West Yorkshire

This autumn, Huddersfield will once again become a hub for innovative sound as the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (HCMF) launches its 48th edition.

As one of the UK’s largest international festivals dedicated to new and experimental music, HCMF continues to champion radical creativity and emerging artistic voices.

A Ten-Day Celebration of Innovation

Held every November, the festival spans ten days and features more than 50 events across Huddersfield.

This year’s programme includes performances, installations, exhibitions, talks and workshops, supported by an ongoing “Learning and Participation” initiative that runs throughout the year.

Organisers say the festival aims not only to deliver unforgettable artistic experiences but also to attract diverse audiences, spark new engagement with contemporary music and offer creative opportunities for people of all backgrounds.

Artists Pushing the Boundaries of Sound

HCMF 2024 brings a remarkable roster of international performers, from acclaimed American composer Sarah Hennies to Lithuanian vocal trio Edgy Palates and innovative groups such as Milkweed.

Artistic Director Graham McKenzie says this year’s line-up reflects the festival’s commitment to new perspectives: “HCMF has always been a platform for profiling new and exciting voices in contemporary and experimental music, and this year we do that in abundance!

“From the most comprehensive focus on American composer and percussionist Sarah Hennies anywhere to date, to radical new compositional voices such as Marta Śniady and Ville Raasakka, pioneering vocal ensemble Edgy Palates, and the small pipes sensation Brìghde Chaimbeul.”

Spotlight on Featured Artists

Sarah Hennies

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Hennies is renowned for her acoustic ensemble compositions exploring sociopolitical and psychological themes, including queer identity, psychoacoustics and the complexities of creative thought. While best known for her ensemble work, she also works in film, performance and improvisation.

Marta Śniady

Polish composer Marta Śniady, born in 1986 in Pabianice, graduated with honours from the Academy of Music in Łódź. Her work champions the role of new music as a vital form of social communication, and she is celebrated for her dynamic, exploratory approach to contemporary composition.

Edgy Palates

This Lithuanian trio, Dainora Aleksaite, Jūra Elena Šedytė and Leva Parnarauskaitė, redefines vocal performance by challenging traditional forms and stretching the expressive capabilities of the human voice.

More Than a Festival

With countless artists and performances across the programme, HCMF offers more than just concerts: it is a space for connection, discovery and creative risk-taking. For music lovers, it’s an opportunity to expand horizons and encounter work far outside the mainstream.

Event Details

Dates: 21–30 November
Locations: University of Huddersfield & Lawrence Batley Theatre
Tickets: Book Here

Anyone with a curiosity for bold, genre-defying sound is encouraged to join fellow enthusiasts this November for one of Kirklees’ most adventurous music events.