FOG Festival 2026

FOG – Festival offener Genres returns from 17–20 September 2026 in Basel with its most structurally consolidated and artistically ambitious edition to date. Conceived as a curated platform for contemporary, experimental and electronic music, FOG operates at the intersection of concert music, sound art and expanded audiovisual performance.The 2026 edition marks a significant step in the festival’s development. With 26 artistic contributions across four days, the programme integrates live concerts, A/V performances, club-oriented formats and a curated sound art exhibition. Around 50% of the invited artists are based in Switzerland, reinforcing the dialogue between local and international practices.A central artistic focus lies on contemporary and electroacoustic composition. The opening at Kaserne Basel features a tribute to Éliane Radigue in collaboration with the Elektronisches Studio Basel (FHNW), situating the festival within a lineage of pioneering electronic music. Internationally recognised artists such as William Basinski, Loscil, Thomas Ankersmit, Franck Vigroux, Hüma Utku and Dasha Rush reflect the festival’s commitment to artistic depth and cross-disciplinary experimentation.FOG 2026 further expands its spatial and institutional framework. The festival establishes Tanzhaus Basel as its new central hub, hosting concerts and the extended sound art exhibition. The long-term collaboration with Kaserne Basel continues, while a new partnership with Museum Tinguely culminates in a special closing event. This cooperation connects contemporary sound practices with Basel’s strong tradition of kinetic and experimental art. Club formats take place at CONTAINER Club, maintaining a vital link to the city’s electronic music ecosystem. All venues are located in Kleinbasel, reinforcing the festival’s local anchoring.The sound art exhibition forms an equal pillar of the programme. Installative and spatial works explore sound as material, architecture and embodied experience. The 2026 open call received over 170 international submissions, highlighting FOG’s growing relevance within the field.Diversity and structural responsibility remain key principles. The 2026 programme presents a balanced FLINTA*/male artist ratio, reflecting the festival’s ongoing commitment to gender balance and inclusive curatorial practice. FOG actively works toward fair remuneration, transparent production structures and sustainable organisational development.Beyond presentation, the festival encourages accessibility and exchange through listening sessions, contextual formats and collaborations with educational institutions. As part of international networks such as RESET! Network and in dialogue with festivals including SONICA (Glasgow) and WeSA (Seoul), FOG fosters long-term artistic exchange and co-production models.FOG 2026 positions itself not only as a festival, but as a long-term platform dedicated to artistic excellence, structural sustainability and transnational dialogue. Through carefully curated programming and strategic partnerships, the festival contributes to strengthening Basel as an internationally relevant site for contemporary sound and new music practices.