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VNM Festival: Open Frequencies 2026
The annual VNM Festival returns with Open Frequencies, a three-day program spotlighting bold, globally engaged approaches to new music by artists working at the forefront of experimental, interdisciplinary, and cross-cultural sound practices. This year’s lineup features renowned percussionist Kuniko Kato with a team of Japanese percussionists in a virtuosic quartet performance dedicated to the music of Steve Reich, cellist and composer Okkyung Lee from Korea, harpist Sarah Pagé from Montreal, and BC artists Gordon Grdina, Meredith Bates, and Piu.
- When: Thursday, October 22 – Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Artist talks 7:15 PM, performances 8:00 PM each night
- Where: Pacific Spirit United Church, 2195 West 45th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6M 2J4
- Cost: Festival Pass for all three days from $95 (about $109.59 with fees); single-day tickets also available
- Hosted by: Vancouver New Music
- Tickets: Buy a VNM Festival Pass
- Website: VNM Festival 2026: Open Frequencies
Festival Program
Day 1: Thursday, October 22
Kuniko Kato Quartet (Japan)
A program celebrating the 90th birthday of legendary minimalist composer Steve Reich, featuring some of his most complex, hypnotic, and beautiful percussion works. Kuniko Kato, internationally acclaimed as one of the world’s leading percussion virtuosos, is joined by percussionists Haruka Aoyagi, Karin Tozaki, Koichi Hosono, and Misaki Matsuno, all of whom have taken part in the Steve Reich Project, Kato’s international concert series of meticulously arranged Reich performances. The performance is part of the REICH90 North American Tour, a major celebration of Reich’s 90th birthday across the United States and Canada. Buy Day 1 tickets.
Day 2: Friday, October 23
Okkyung Lee (Korea)
An internationally recognized cellist, composer, and improviser, known for innovative, visceral work using extended techniques on her instrument. Lee draws on noise, improvisation, jazz, western classical, and Korean traditional and popular music to forge a highly unique approach.
Meredith Bates (Salt Spring Island)
The JUNO and WCMA award-winning violinist, violist, and composer performs selections from her recent album The Observer Effect. Buy Day 2 tickets.
Day 3: Saturday, October 24
Sarah Pagé (Montreal)
A harp and koto player who delivers a solo harp performance showcasing her virtuosity and experimentation.
Gordon Grdina (Vancouver)
The JUNO award-winning musician uses the oud to chart a distinct language that reflects a deep modernity living fluidly within traditional Persian and Arabic roots.
Piu (Nanaimo)
A dynamic live performance by musician, composer, and producer Priyanka Chakrabarti, blending live electronics, raga-inspired vocals, and field recordings.
Tickets
A Festival Pass covers all three dates. Single-day tickets for Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 are sold separately. Availability changes quickly, so check the festival website for current status.
About the Festival
Open Frequencies is the centrepiece of Vancouver New Music’s season, showcasing artists working across experimental, interdisciplinary, and cross-cultural sound practices. Artist talks at 7:15 PM before each night’s performance offer a closer look at the music and the people behind it.