Eno, Adams and Wolfe Bang on a Can

Music by Brian Eno, John Luther Adams and Julia Wolfe is part of an all-star bill for the next Bang on Can (BoaC) Summer Festival. It’s the 15th edition of BoaC Festival, which brings together contemporary artists and musicians to encourage exciting, interesting and innovative music. BoaC Festival runs from 13-30 July.

Adams’ is this year’s featured composer, while Eno’s ambient Music for Airports and Wolfe’s Tell Me Everything are in the programme. Other highlights include a performance by eighth blackbird cellist Nick Photinos, a concert by Gregg August featuring Joe Gonzalez and Ben Lapidus, and a world premiere from clarinettist Ken Thomson.

BoaC Summer Festival takes place in the mountains of Western Massachusetts at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA). Despite its situation in the tiny town of North Adams (whose population is just under 14,000), MASS MoCA is one of the biggest arts centres in the US, and BoaC is a mecca for modern music. The building itself is a converted 19th century factory.

Since the first edition in 2002 over 400 musicians have taken part in BoaC Summer Festival. Alumni include Judd Greenstein, Lauren Radnofsky, Dave Longstreth, Missy Mazzoli, Anna Clyne and David T Little. BoaC was founded in 1987 by David Lang, Michael Gordon and Wolfe with the goal of creating new music.

This year’s festival concludes with a six-hour concert featuring more music by Adams as well as Steve Reich’s Music For Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ.

bangonacan.org