The Music Meeting Festival will celebrate its 40th edition during Pentecost, from May 22 through 25, 2026, with a new format in downtown Nijmegen. The festival presents a program packed with contemporary international music, films, workshops, and opportunities for music adventurers of all ages to connect, in a new collaboration with pop venue Doornroosje, Stevenskerk, arthouse LUX, Stadsschouwburg Nijmegen, and Concertgebouw De Vereeniging. Today, the organization announces the full main program and begins regular ticket sales. Featuring Rhiannon Giddens, Mádé Kuti, BCUC, Parvathy Baul, and Naïssam Jalal, among others.
The City as a Stage
After many unforgettable open-air editions, Music Meeting is moving back to the city center, where four top venues in Nijmegen and our partners will open their doors to the festival. During the day, the heart of the festival can be found in and around LUX; in the evenings, Music Meeting will take place successively at Doornroosje, the Stevenskerk, and De Vereeniging.
Celebrate Africa at Doornroosje
Music Meeting kicks off on Friday evening, May 22, at Doornroosje with a tribute to International Africa Day. Nigerian multi-instrumentalistMádé Kuti, grandson of the legendary Fela Kuti, makes his Dutch debut here. His fresh take on Afrobeat is beautifully complemented by the raw punk energy, mixed with hip-hop, funk, and traditional rhythms from South Africa, brought byBCUC. “Without a doubt the best live act I saw,” says renowned British DJ Gilles Peterson. The versatile Senegalese producerIBAAKUbrings the urban vibe of Dakar. Singer-songwriterOUMY fromNijmegen blends her Senegalese and Dutch roots into groovy indie folk.
Indian Raga Night at the Stevenskerk
On Saturday evening, May 23, the impressive Stevenskerk will serve as the setting for Indian classical and folk music from sunset until late into the night: an invitation to let yourself be carried away, to experience Hindustani and Carnatic sounds as they were meant to be heard. In collaboration with guest curator and tabla player Heiko Dijker, a diverse program featuring masters and gurus will be presented. The renowned singerParvathy Baulfrom Bengal will be followed by the compellingshehnaiplayerAshwani Shankar. The young sarod playerDebasmita Bhattacharyashines and shares the stage withthe trio Jayant,Balakrishna SG, and our ownHeiko Dijker.
Music Meeting at De Vereeniging
On Sunday evening, May 24, we return to De Vereeniging, the birthplace of Music Meeting! With a lineup where folk, roots, Americana, and blues set the tone. Grammy winner and singerRhiannon Giddens, who previously collaborated with Beyoncé, joins forces with multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi to deliver deeply moving renditions of gospel, folk songs, and blues. Once you’ve heard her sensational voice, you’ll never forget it! Also performing is CanadianFirst NationssingerDiyet & the Love Soldiers. She sings in both English and her native Southern Tutchone, and her beautiful, pure voice is accompanied by (slide) guitar, mandolin, and drums. The evening is rounded out by Puuluup: a dynamic, quirky duo from Estonia that breathes new life into the traditional ancient lyre, the talharpa, in a surrealistic way. It’s no surprise thatPuuluupwas also part of the Estonian entry at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024.
Music & Films at LUX
For three days, LUX will serve as the daytime venue for concerts and film screenings. On May 23, Music Meeting welcomes the Korean crossover K-pop bandnuMori. Also performing that day is theÁMÁL Ensemble: a new Amsterdam-based band featuring seven young musicians from Syria, Siberia, Mexico, and France, offering fresh musical crossovers. On May 24, singer Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti, who has roots in Brazil and Bolivia, will explore the ritual and microtonal music of the Andes with her bandAwichas. On May 25, the originally Caribbean-AmericanSera Kalo eX.IIwill perform: a versatile singer-songwriter and composer who blurs the boundaries between soul, jazz, electronic grooves, and other influences. Also on May 25, the acclaimed French-Syrian flutistNaïssam Jalalwill perform with her projectQuest of the Invisible. Previously announced LUX program: Esdras Nogueira, Peter Somuah, Mattias de Craene ft. Black Koyo, and Lagon Nwar.
The Music Meeting film program at LUX will be announced shortly, as will the exciting lineup of side events taking place on and around Mariënburgplein, located next to LUX, which will be transformed into the heart of the three-day festival.
Fri, May 22
Doornroosje (8:00 PM – 12:00 AM): BCUC / Oumy / Mádé Kuti / IBAAKU
Sat, May 23
LUX (2:30 PM – 7:30 PM): ÁMÁL Ensemble / Peter Somuah / nuMori
Stevenskerk (9:00 PM – 3:00 AM): Parvathy Baul / Trio Jayant, Balakrishna SG & Heiko Dijker / Ashwani Shankar / Debasmita Bhattacharya
Sun, May 24
LUX (1:30 PM – 6:30 PM): Lagon Nwar / Esdras Nogueira / Awichas
De Vereeniging (8:00 PM – 12:00 AM): Rhiannon Giddens / Diyet & Love Soldiers / Puuluup
Mon, May 25
LUX (1:30 PM – 6:30 PM): Mattias De Craene ft. Black Koyo / Sera Kalo eX.II / Naïssam Jalal
