Feminist, diverse and genre-defying: since 2014, Heroines of Sound has been celebrating early trailblazers and contemporary heroines of electronic sound. Uncompromising sounds echo the urgent crises of our time. In response to historically, geographically, and politically imposed dogmas, the twelfth edition of the festival uses its concerts and performances to advocate. It supports crossing boundaries that reach beyond the artistic realm.
A prime example of this is the program by the Israeli Meitar Ensemble, featuring works by Iranian, Israeli, and German composers. The program features outstanding electronic artists such as Rojin Sharafi, and Yara Mekawei. They combine advanced aesthetics with spiritual techniques. Also incorporating characteristic sounds and narratives from their homelands. The program turns its focus to the music scene of the SWANA region.
The German premiere of the Finnish performance group OBLIVIA at Radialsystem also addresses themes of nature and climate. Known for their distinctive blend of grotesque humor and minimalist aesthetics, they shed light on the impact of the looming climate crisis.
In 2025, Berlin’s international composer-performer scene will be represented by performances created specially for the festival. The performances will feature artists including Viola Yip, Camilla Fehér, Chikiss and Augustė Vickunaitė.
About the Heroines of Sound Festival:
Diverse and genre-defying in approach, Heroines of Sound has, since its inaugural edition in 2014, enhanced the visibility of women and gender-diverse artists within the arts and music scenes, while uncovering connections across genres and generations.
The Heroines of Sound Festival was founded in 2014 by Bettina Wackernagel and a group of Berlin-based artists. They had a feminist agenda. The festival highlights the pioneers of electronic sound. It sparks important conversations with current perspectives. These range from contemporary art music to performance, sound art, and experimental pop.
Further information: https:/www.heroines-of-sound.com
Artists:
Anahita Abbasi, Hana Ajiashvili, Miriam Akkermann, Ensemble Apparat, Séverine Ballon, Chikiss, Alexandra Cárdenas, Alice Eldridge, Camilla M. Fehér, Hanna Hartman, Sarah Hennies, Sigalit Landau, Ensemble LUX:NM, Meitar Ensemble, Yara Mekawei, Julia Mihály, Brigitta Muntendorf, Sarah Nemtsov, Oblivia, Karen Power, Darla Quintana, Rojin Sharafi, Daniela Strasfogel, Augustė Vickunaitė, Viola Yip, Yiran Zhao
Artistic Director: Bettina Wackernagel
Co-Curators: Helen Heß, Sabine Sanio
Premieres:
- Viola Yip – The Ombré of Touches for a self-built inflatable wearable instrument and electronics (2025, WP) 35-40´min
- Camilla M. Fehér – M-The resonating body (2025, WP) 30´min
- LUX:NM – NATURE:SOUND:SPACES (2025, WP)
- Augustė Vickunaitė — Think inside the box, reel-to-reel tape recorders (2025, WP) 40´min
- Darla Quintana – ALMA (2025, WP), Live electronics
German Premiere:
- OBLIVIA – Reality Bang (2025, GP)
- Hana Ajiashvili – Impossible sketches. For ensemble and electronics (2023, GP) 15´min
- Anahita Abbasi »Situation XV – »… this is the noise that keeps everything quiet…« For ensemble and electronics (2024, GP) 15´min
- Brigitta Muntendorf – Weight and Load #1. For ensemble and electronics (2024/25, GP) 15´min
Premieres of new versions:
- Sarah Hennies — Souvenir (2023/25, WP) For ensemble and electronics (8 brass + 4-channel electronic tape)
- Julia Mihály – ascending in front of the void. For ensemble and electronics (2021/25, WP)
- Sarah Nemtsov – [if]. For ensemble and electronics (2023/25, WP) 15´min
the Heroines of Sound on:
- https://www.heroines-of-sound.com/
- https://www.radialsystem.de/de/festivals/heroines-of-sound-2025/
- https://www.instagram.com/heroines_of_sound/
- https://www.facebook.com/HeroinesOfSound/
In cooperation with Radialsystem, ZK/U, Ensemble LUX:NM, Schrumpf/ LOUDsoft, Lullabyte.eu /FU Berlin, funded by the European Union.
Heroines of Sound Festival 2025 receives funding from the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Community. Supported by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation. Additionally, the Goethe-Institut Chile and initiative neue musik Berlin e.V. provide kind support.
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