2017-2018 Season Series

X Avant XII: Resistance

This festival explored what resistance in music sounds like today. How do artists resist oppressive, anti-democratic tactics which compromise their ability to make and distribute art?

Experimental forms of music making, contrary to perceptions of being self-indulgent and elitist, can be deeply relatable as a means to express feelings of protest, participation and collectivity, provided that the power relationships between inspiration, definitions, creators, performers and curators must always be negotiated. Time and time again we’ve seen audiences and artists bond over challenging music. This was the starting point for X Avant XII and why the theme of Resistance didn’t just make sense this year, but every year.

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A violinist performs in front of projected images
A vocalist wearing colourful clothing performs in front of a fabric backdrop

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  • Respectfulchild. Photo by Claire Harvie

  • Lido Pimienta. Photo by Kevin Jones

  • AfroHorn Performs with Milena Casado, X Avant 2025. Credit: Kevin Jones

  • Roa Lee and Colin Fisher, X Avant 2025

A group of musicians performing together, a trumpet player in a bright yellow shirt beside an alto sax player in a patterned shirt, both reading off a music in the foreground.
Two musicians perform together in dramatic magenta lighting, on standing, one seated

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