The next three editions of Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (hcmf//) are going Dutch, thanks to a new partnership. hcmf// and Dutch Performing Arts (DPA) will work together to bring artists across the North Sea to the West Yorkshire festival.
For 2018, Dutch artists are trumpeter Marco Blaauw, experimental pianist Reinier van Houdt and electric guitarist Aart Strootman. As for groups, the festival boasts metal-classical crossover trio TEMKO, Netherlands-based accordion duo TOEAC and composer/artist collective Ensemble Klang.
hcmf// director Graham McKenzie cited the strength of the Dutch scene as a key reason for the partnership: “There is a whole new generation of Dutch artists, composers, ensembles and musicians coming through…we at hcmf// think that our festival will help to provide [a] platform as well as nourishing our audience.”
Added Pieter Zeeman, programme director at DPA: “The Netherlands and hcmf// have a long-standing and warm relationship…DPA is very excited to give a new boost to the collaboration.”