Nusasonic is a multi-year project establishing dialogue between sound cultures in Southeast Asia and Europe. The initiative will incorporate formats such as artistic labs, commissioned works, concerts, festivals, lectures, and more.

The initiative takes its title from “Nusantara,” an ancient Javanese term that is now used to refer to connections between Southeast Asian countries. Nusasonic's first edition took place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and played host to new artist pairings, a hacklab, and a sonic wilderness workshop. The programme, which featured artists such as AGF, Gabber Modus Operandi, Jessica Ekomane, and more, marked the start of an exciting cultural dialogue that will continue for years to come.

In January/February 2019, Nusasonic continued through a large presence of South East Asian artists at CTM 2019 Festival in Berlin. Several artists and projects that had performed within the inaugural festival in Yogyakarta, as well as new collaborators, performed in venues such as Berghain, HAU Hebbel am Ufer, and Festsaal. The MusicMakers Hacklab was also led by the same co-hosts as in the inaugural Yogyakarta event.

Several Nusasonic-supported residencies will take place in summer and winter 2019 in Yogyakarta and Singapore, while a larger presence is planned for the 10th anniversary edition of WSK Festival for the Recently Possible in Manila, The Philippines, in October 2019.

Through its ongoing activities, Nusasonic will explore how contemporary sound practices enable connections and dialogues within the Southeast Asian region and with Europe. It aims to pay critical attention to local contexts and ongoing global asymmetries. 

Adopting a multi-perspective approach, the project is collaboratively created by Yes No Klub (Yogyakarta), WSK Festival of the Recently Possible (Manila), Playfreely/BlackKaji (Singapore), and CTM Festival for Adventurous Music & Art (Berlin).