SHAPE+ announces it’s final artist list and new online compilation
SHAPE+ platform for innovative music and interdisciplinary art is concluding its EU and Pro Helvetia-funded period. Before entering a phase of developing new projects and choosing further objectives, it returns with a final season – a five-month period of promoting a collectively selected roster of 18 emerging and experimental artists.
SHAPE was established in 2014, and morphed into SHAPE+ in 2022, expanding into a union of 18 forward-thinking European festivals by its current working period. A roster of artists had been collectively created each year by the curators of member festivals. Counting the duration of SHAPE and SHAPE+ together, the initiative has continued for more than 10 years and, by the end of this year, will have facilitated the careers of 676 artists.
The following 18 acts are the last to join this multitude:
Admina (RO)
Canva6 (IT)
Farzané (NL/IR)
funcionário (PT)
Gary Gwadera (PL)
GbClifford (CZ)
Jazz Lambaux (FR)
Laikka (AT/DE)
Marie Delprat (FR/CH)
Matej Rusmir (RS)
Pizza Noise Mafia (FR/BE)
polje (UA)
PΞB (DE)
R3YWYA (LV)
SWAI (SI)
TeTe Noise (GE)
The Stanley Maneuver (HU)
Tilliander & Goran Kajfeš (SE)
This new roster of artists will participate in a number of activities that are more intensely publicity-centered than in previous SHAPE+ iterations – this includes weekly interviews on the platform’s website, broadcasts on the SHAPE+ Radio Network, digital compilations, Instagram takeovers and coverage by media partners.
However, before re-focusing the attention of its syndicated Radio Network and media partnerships onto this new roster, SHAPE+ celebrates the conclusion of its 2024 – 2025 period with another online compilation.
Published on Bandcamp, the release “SHAPE+ : More music from 2024 – 2025” features recent music as well as previously unpublished works by 9 SHAPE+ acts. It comes hot on the heels of the platform’s latest collaborative release (https://www.thewire.co.uk/audio/btr/below-the-radar-special-edition-shape-2024-25) with The Wire Magazine, and gives a taste of the sonic diversity the platform always strives for – the compilation moves through avant-pop, noise, post-club music and free improvisation.
The final season of SHAPE+ concludes on December 31. Keep an eye on the project’s website and social media for weekly interviews, frequent radio mixes, and digital compilations.
SHAPE was established in 2014, and morphed into SHAPE+ in 2022, expanding into a union of 18 forward-thinking European festivals by its current working period. A roster of artists had been collectively created each year by the curators of member festivals. Counting the duration of SHAPE and SHAPE+ together, the initiative has continued for more than 10 years and, by the end of this year, will have facilitated the careers of 676 artists.
The following 18 acts are the last to join this multitude:
Admina (RO)
Canva6 (IT)
Farzané (NL/IR)
funcionário (PT)
Gary Gwadera (PL)
GbClifford (CZ)
Jazz Lambaux (FR)
Laikka (AT/DE)
Marie Delprat (FR/CH)
Matej Rusmir (RS)
Pizza Noise Mafia (FR/BE)
polje (UA)
PΞB (DE)
R3YWYA (LV)
SWAI (SI)
TeTe Noise (GE)
The Stanley Maneuver (HU)
Tilliander & Goran Kajfeš (SE)
This new roster of artists will participate in a number of activities that are more intensely publicity-centered than in previous SHAPE+ iterations – this includes weekly interviews on the platform’s website, broadcasts on the SHAPE+ Radio Network, digital compilations, Instagram takeovers and coverage by media partners.
However, before re-focusing the attention of its syndicated Radio Network and media partnerships onto this new roster, SHAPE+ celebrates the conclusion of its 2024 – 2025 period with another online compilation.
Published on Bandcamp, the release “SHAPE+ : More music from 2024 – 2025” features recent music as well as previously unpublished works by 9 SHAPE+ acts. It comes hot on the heels of the platform’s latest collaborative release (https://www.thewire.co.uk/audio/btr/below-the-radar-special-edition-shape-2024-25) with The Wire Magazine, and gives a taste of the sonic diversity the platform always strives for – the compilation moves through avant-pop, noise, post-club music and free improvisation.
The final season of SHAPE+ concludes on December 31. Keep an eye on the project’s website and social media for weekly interviews, frequent radio mixes, and digital compilations.
SONICA x SHAPE+ Residency Premiere
@ NiANSA 2025
June 6, 20 pm @ Rakov Škocjan
FB event
SONICA and the SHAPE+ platform are thrilled to collaborate with the NiANSA Gatherings festival, taking place in the stunning natural setting of Rakov Škocjan. The festival brings a new artistic residency featuring French musician and artist Lamina, alongside Slovenian visual artists Ana Ščuka and Maša Knapič. Expect a truly unique and hypnotic sound performance with sculptures and visuals that will create emotional and sensory resonances within their imagined sonic ecosystems.
Find more information here.
Lamina is an artist of the SHAPE+ platform for innovative music and interdisciplinary art, co-funded by the European Union and Pro Helvetia.
FB event
SONICA and the SHAPE+ platform are thrilled to collaborate with the NiANSA Gatherings festival, taking place in the stunning natural setting of Rakov Škocjan. The festival brings a new artistic residency featuring French musician and artist Lamina, alongside Slovenian visual artists Ana Ščuka and Maša Knapič. Expect a truly unique and hypnotic sound performance with sculptures and visuals that will create emotional and sensory resonances within their imagined sonic ecosystems.
Find more information here.
Lamina is an artist of the SHAPE+ platform for innovative music and interdisciplinary art, co-funded by the European Union and Pro Helvetia.
SONICA x SHAPE+ x PiNA: Eva Aboulkheir, Enrico Malatesta, beepblip, DUF x LOWLANDER
June 4, 20 pm @ CUK Kino Šiška, Ljubljana
FB event
SONICA, in collaboration with SHAPE+ Platform and PiNA, invites you to a unique concert dedicated to spatial sound at the intersection of modern classical, experimental music, drone and sound art.
Performances include the music of legendary French composer Eliane Radigue performed by percussionist Enrico Malatesta, the spatial and immersive music of the French composer Eve Aboulkheir, the electroacoustic work of Slovenian sound artist beeblip, and the analogue modular soundscapes of the local duo DUF x LOWLANDER. The experience will be enhanced by a 20-channel sound sculpture by DodekaOTTO from HEKA in Koper.
Production: SONICA, MoTA- Museum of Transitory Art
Co-production: SHAPE+ Platform, PiNA, CUK Kino Šiška, HEKA
Financial support: City of Ljubljana
Enrico Malatesta and Eva Aboulkheir are artists of the SHAPE+ platform for innovative
music and interdisciplinary arts, co-funded by the European Union and Pro Helvetia.
FB event
SONICA, in collaboration with SHAPE+ Platform and PiNA, invites you to a unique concert dedicated to spatial sound at the intersection of modern classical, experimental music, drone and sound art.
Performances include the music of legendary French composer Eliane Radigue performed by percussionist Enrico Malatesta, the spatial and immersive music of the French composer Eve Aboulkheir, the electroacoustic work of Slovenian sound artist beeblip, and the analogue modular soundscapes of the local duo DUF x LOWLANDER. The experience will be enhanced by a 20-channel sound sculpture by DodekaOTTO from HEKA in Koper.
Production: SONICA, MoTA- Museum of Transitory Art
Co-production: SHAPE+ Platform, PiNA, CUK Kino Šiška, HEKA
Financial support: City of Ljubljana
Enrico Malatesta and Eva Aboulkheir are artists of the SHAPE+ platform for innovative
music and interdisciplinary arts, co-funded by the European Union and Pro Helvetia.
SONICA x SHAPE+ Talks at Cukrarna, 17 April 2025
On Thursday, 17 April, we are hosting three SONICAxSHAPE+ talks at the Conference Room at Cukrarna.
Our guests will be the artists performing at Cukrarna on the same night. Egyptian artist and musician Hassan Khan will discuss his project The Infinite Hip-Hop Song Live!, Murcof will present the background of his project The Etna Sessions, while Stella Ivšek and Urša Čuk from the Slovenian AV collective Beam Team and German producer PYUR will present their SONICAxSHAPE+ residency.
18:00-18:30 PYUR & Beam Team: SONICA x SHAPE Residency 2025
18:30-19:00 Hassan Khan presents The The Infinite Hip-Hop Song Live!
19:00-19:30 Murcof and the making of The Etna Sessions
PYUR is an artist of the SHAPE+ platform for innovative music and interdisciplinary art, co-funded by the European Union and Pro Helvetia.
Our guests will be the artists performing at Cukrarna on the same night. Egyptian artist and musician Hassan Khan will discuss his project The Infinite Hip-Hop Song Live!, Murcof will present the background of his project The Etna Sessions, while Stella Ivšek and Urša Čuk from the Slovenian AV collective Beam Team and German producer PYUR will present their SONICAxSHAPE+ residency.
18:00-18:30 PYUR & Beam Team: SONICA x SHAPE Residency 2025
18:30-19:00 Hassan Khan presents The The Infinite Hip-Hop Song Live!
19:00-19:30 Murcof and the making of The Etna Sessions
PYUR is an artist of the SHAPE+ platform for innovative music and interdisciplinary art, co-funded by the European Union and Pro Helvetia.
SHAPE+ artist tonota at the SONICA exhibition opening at +MSUM
On Tuesday, April 1, Croatian producer and sound artist tonota performed at SONICA exhibition opening 2025 by Slovenian artist Vesna Petresin. tonota performed two multichannel pieces, 7/8, comissioned by MOTA - Museum of Transitory Art and SONICA, and uncertainty, a piece she composed during her residency at BEK - Bergen senter for elektronisk kunst, commissioned by KONTEJNER. tonota was a resident at SONICA workshop with Nicolas Jaar supported by FLUX.
tonota is an artist of the SHAPE+ platform for innovative music and interdisciplinary art, co-funded by the European Union and Pro Helvetia.
tonota is an artist of the SHAPE+ platform for innovative music and interdisciplinary art, co-funded by the European Union and Pro Helvetia.
SONICA playlist 2025
You can explore this year’s lineup and discover your favourite artists through this playlist, including both all time classics as well as more obscure gems from The Bug, Violent Magic Orchestra, Murcof, Gábor Lázár, Rafael Toral, Antonina Nowacka, PYUR, Lifecutter, Stamor and Shekuza.
LISTEN
LISTEN
SHAPE+ artists at SONICA 2025
The lineup of the 17th edition of SONICA Festival includes three SHAPE+ 2024/2025 artists.
Croatian producer/sound artist tonota is doing a live show at the SONICA 2025 exhibition opening at MSUM on April 1, Polish artist Antonina Nowacka is performing on the first festival night at CD Club on April 16, while German artist PYUR is premiering a special show in collaboration with the Slovenian visual art collective Beam Team on April 17 as part of the SONICA x SHAPE Residency 2025.
PYUR, Antonina Nowacka and tonota are part of SHAPE+ Platform for innovative music and audiovisual art, co-funded by the European Union and for Pro Helvetia. SHAPE+ Platform for innovative music and audiovisual art is co-funded by the European Union and ProHelvetia. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Croatian producer/sound artist tonota is doing a live show at the SONICA 2025 exhibition opening at MSUM on April 1, Polish artist Antonina Nowacka is performing on the first festival night at CD Club on April 16, while German artist PYUR is premiering a special show in collaboration with the Slovenian visual art collective Beam Team on April 17 as part of the SONICA x SHAPE Residency 2025.
PYUR, Antonina Nowacka and tonota are part of SHAPE+ Platform for innovative music and audiovisual art, co-funded by the European Union and for Pro Helvetia. SHAPE+ Platform for innovative music and audiovisual art is co-funded by the European Union and ProHelvetia. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Get your SONICA 2025 ‘Early Bird’ ticket!
Don’t miss the chance to get the ‘Early Bird’ festival pass for three festival nights and the pre-event at the Slovenian Cinematheque for only
€ 50,00.
PRESALE
€ 50,00.
PRESALE
SONICA 2025 line-up and theme revealed
SONICA 2025: -STREAM
15–18 April 2025
Ljubljana, Slovenia
FB event
The festival of electronic music and transitory art SONICA presents the programme of its 17th edition, which will take place at various locations in Ljubljana between 15 and 18 April. This year's programme includes three festival nights at the CD Club, Cukrarna and Kino Šiška, a festival pre-event with an AV programme at the Slovenian Cinematheque and an exhibition at the MSUM.
The lineup includes a performance by the British king of bass music The Bug, who is showcasing his double LP of apocalyptic industrial dubs Machine (Relapse, 2024), the Slovenian premiere of the Japanese futuristic black metal/gabber/IDM sensation Violent Magic Orchestra ("Like Aphex Twin with corpse paint") and the Spectral Evolution (2024) show by Portuguese guitar virtuoso Rafael Toral.
Highlights also include The Etna Sessions AV show by Mexican electronic music icon Murcof, the playful performance The Infinite Hip-Hop Song Live! by Egyptian artist and musician Hassan Khan, winner of the Silver Lion at the 2017 Venice Biennale, an AV show by Hungarian IDM trailblazer Gábor Lázár and the mesmerising Polish multi-instrumentalist and singer Antonina Nowacka (SHAPE+). As part of the SONICA x SHAPE+ residency 2025, German electronic producer PYUR (SHAPE+) and Stella Ivšek and Urša Čuk from the Slovenian multidisciplinary art collective Beam Team will premiere their new show.
Slovenian musician/producer Jan Bajc Funa is doing a live band premiere of his new project Stamor. Local electronic music don Nitz is preparing a special performance, The Constants of Vanishing, a live ambient soundtrack to a screening of experimental films by Slovenian filmmaker Vasko Pregelj. The Slovenian ambassador of experimental techno and dark ambient, Lifecutter, is premiering his new album DELUGE (Kamizdat, 2025) in AV format, while Ljubljana techno boss Shekuza will be in charge of the festival closing.
We are kicking things off on 1 April with the opening of an exhibition by Slovenian artist Vesna Petresin at MSUM, followed by a performance by Croatian musician and sound artist tonota (SHAPE+).
With this year’s theme, -STREAM, SONICA is shedding light on one of the most pressing issues in contemporary music culture. Will we be able to keep our heads above water and navigate the many streams that constantly pull us in different directions? Could the antidote to streaming culture be a renewed appreciation for live music? How can we reintroduce context as a key element in the production, distribution, and consumption of culture? Is there a definitive answer to how we should experience music, cinema, and art in a way that serves both artists and audiences?
Music is all about context, and each of this year’s artists emerges from and belongs to a specific musical context, aesthetic lineage, and creative network. With its 17th edition, SONICA celebrates the beauty of artists and audiences physically gathering in clubs, squats, and cultural spaces—collectively creating intangible moments that can last forever.
SONICA is part of SHAPE+. SHAPE+ is a platform for innovative music and audiovisual art from Europe. SHAPE+ Platform for innovative music and audiovisual art is co-funded by the European Union and ProHelvetia. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
15–18 April 2025
Ljubljana, Slovenia
FB event
The festival of electronic music and transitory art SONICA presents the programme of its 17th edition, which will take place at various locations in Ljubljana between 15 and 18 April. This year's programme includes three festival nights at the CD Club, Cukrarna and Kino Šiška, a festival pre-event with an AV programme at the Slovenian Cinematheque and an exhibition at the MSUM.
The lineup includes a performance by the British king of bass music The Bug, who is showcasing his double LP of apocalyptic industrial dubs Machine (Relapse, 2024), the Slovenian premiere of the Japanese futuristic black metal/gabber/IDM sensation Violent Magic Orchestra ("Like Aphex Twin with corpse paint") and the Spectral Evolution (2024) show by Portuguese guitar virtuoso Rafael Toral.
Highlights also include The Etna Sessions AV show by Mexican electronic music icon Murcof, the playful performance The Infinite Hip-Hop Song Live! by Egyptian artist and musician Hassan Khan, winner of the Silver Lion at the 2017 Venice Biennale, an AV show by Hungarian IDM trailblazer Gábor Lázár and the mesmerising Polish multi-instrumentalist and singer Antonina Nowacka (SHAPE+). As part of the SONICA x SHAPE+ residency 2025, German electronic producer PYUR (SHAPE+) and Stella Ivšek and Urša Čuk from the Slovenian multidisciplinary art collective Beam Team will premiere their new show.
Slovenian musician/producer Jan Bajc Funa is doing a live band premiere of his new project Stamor. Local electronic music don Nitz is preparing a special performance, The Constants of Vanishing, a live ambient soundtrack to a screening of experimental films by Slovenian filmmaker Vasko Pregelj. The Slovenian ambassador of experimental techno and dark ambient, Lifecutter, is premiering his new album DELUGE (Kamizdat, 2025) in AV format, while Ljubljana techno boss Shekuza will be in charge of the festival closing.
We are kicking things off on 1 April with the opening of an exhibition by Slovenian artist Vesna Petresin at MSUM, followed by a performance by Croatian musician and sound artist tonota (SHAPE+).
With this year’s theme, -STREAM, SONICA is shedding light on one of the most pressing issues in contemporary music culture. Will we be able to keep our heads above water and navigate the many streams that constantly pull us in different directions? Could the antidote to streaming culture be a renewed appreciation for live music? How can we reintroduce context as a key element in the production, distribution, and consumption of culture? Is there a definitive answer to how we should experience music, cinema, and art in a way that serves both artists and audiences?
Music is all about context, and each of this year’s artists emerges from and belongs to a specific musical context, aesthetic lineage, and creative network. With its 17th edition, SONICA celebrates the beauty of artists and audiences physically gathering in clubs, squats, and cultural spaces—collectively creating intangible moments that can last forever.
SONICA is part of SHAPE+. SHAPE+ is a platform for innovative music and audiovisual art from Europe. SHAPE+ Platform for innovative music and audiovisual art is co-funded by the European Union and ProHelvetia. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.