Counterflows 2026
9-12 April
A heart-felt THANK YOU to everyone who came and made the space with us at this years’ Counterflows Festival
This was our first year ever where we had the funding and resources to deliver the festival as full-timers. It took us 14 years to get here, and we’re proud to have the best team, staff and volunteers, the most respectful, engaged and enthusiastic audience, and a selection of artists we think are making some of the most vital work in the world right now. We are feeling emotional, humbled, and completely energised.
We’ve got some pictures from the festival courtesy of Brian Hartley. If you have any you took and are willing to share drop ’em to counterflows@gmail.com.
We’ll be uploading our Counterflows of Paper zine, and updating on our activities later in the year.
Festival Documentation (18)
Festival Schedule
Project Ability X Counterflows exhibition
Thu 9 April 2026, 13:00
Exhibition dates: 2 April, 2026 – 25 April, 2026 Counterflows is delighted to announce its continued collaboration with Project Ability, building on the success of last year’s inspiring partnership. As part of this year’s programme, artists from Project Ability’s Aspire studio have once again creatively reimagined the profile images of performers appearing in the festival. […]
Remont Pomp + Rhodri Davies / Áine O’Dwyer (duo) + Agnès Pe
Thu 9 April 2026, 18:00
Counterflows kicks off with a night of sprawling collaborative endeavour. Spanish multi-media artist Agnès Pe opens the festival with a performance of ‘Doo, who, rrrr or brrr. A masquerade symphony’, a composition for multiple kazoos, performed by a selection of people who have no knowledge of musical notation. The cyclical structure of the composition is […]
Counterflows Hang out with Hexakaidecagon & DJs
Thu 9 April 2026, 22:00
Counterflows Hang-Outs are time to gather your thoughts and chat in between events. Our first late night Hang-out takes place in the Art School, welcoming mischievous Glasgow duo Hexakaidecagon: a band that shares members with Benicio del Trainwreck, Asparagus Piss Raindrop, Dome Riders, Peeesseye, etc. They are absolutely thrilled to welcome situations in which possibilities […]
Ryu Hankil – Rubber Balloon Orchestra Workshop (all ages)
Fri 10 April 2026, 10:30
Sign up details here. This workshop explores basic physical acoustic phenomena and interesting sound effects through simple crafting. Using objects including a rubber balloon, a cup and a rubber band, participants will create a balloon percussion instrument and a balloon flute. The aim of the workshop is to form a balloon orchestra and perform together, […]
Counterflows on Paper 2026 Launch
Fri 10 April 2026, 12:30
Join us as we celebrate this year’s edition of the Counterflows Zine. Featuring: live readings from Nisha Ramayya and Sarah Lasoye, a special solo performance from Ali Robertson, and DJ sets from Masa Nazzal and DJ Lanyard. Counterflows On Paper 2026 features new writing by Lola Olufemi, Nisha Ramayya, dundee radio club, Masa Nazzal, Lewis […]
Ryu Hankil – Human Field Recorder and Player Workshop (16-25 year olds only)
Fri 10 April 2026, 13:00
Important note: The workshop is for 16–25* year olds. There are 10–15 places There will be tea and coffee provided. Sign up details here. Participants will be invited to choose a space to listen in, and write down the most memorable or distinct sounds, exactly as heard. The writing can use onomatopoeia, phonetic symbols, or […]
Annea Lockwood discussion and listening event, hosted by Kate Molleson
Fri 10 April 2026, 14:30
It’s our honour to welcome Annea Lockwood for this in person discussion and listening event, hosted by writer and broadcaster Kate Molleson. A chance to delve deeper into her sprawling practice and collectively listen to some key recordings of her work. Lockwood’s lifelong fascination with the visceral effects of sound in our environments and through […]
Michaela Turcerová + Hannan Jones
Fri 10 April 2026, 18:30
We are afraid to announce that due to health concerns Marlo De Lara has had to drop out of the festival this year. In their place Hannan Jones – a previous guest at Counterflows – has agreed to step in, presenting a first time solo set at the festival. Hannan Jones is an artist of […]
Los Thuthanaka + Al Karpenter
Fri 10 April 2026, 20:15
Scottish debut performances from two of the most vital groups operating today. Al Karpenter is the post-genre punk band of Álvaro Matilla, Marta Sainz (bass, vocals), Enrique Zaccagnini (percussion, electronics, vocals), and Mattin (computer, drums, vocals). Born in the Basque Country’s experimental underworld and raised on a diet of no wave, noise, improvisation, and dissent, […]
DJ E + Turbo Sonidero + Escocia Mania
Fri 10 April 2026, 23:00
We’ll have two clubnights at Counterflows this year. This is the first, taking place in the Art School’s Assembly Hall, where we’ll be focussing on making it sounding and looking as good as possible: fully prep’d for 4 hours of dance subsumption. Downstairs we’ll be keeping the Vic Bar open as a quieter spot to […]
Film Screening: ‘Annea Lockwood / A Film About Listening’ by Sam Green
Sat 11 April 2026, 11:00
Commissioned as part of our Counterflows at Home edition of the festival in 2021, we’re delighted to welcome this rare screening of Sam Green’s intimate portrait of Annea Lockwood. Over 33 minutes the film offers a a glimpse into the enthralling world of sound that Annea has been creating and exploring over her expansive career. […]
Film Screening: ‘Annea Lockwood / A Film About Listening’ by Sam Green – 2nd screening
Sat 11 April 2026, 12:00
Commissioned as part of our Counterflows at Home edition of the festival in 2021, we’re delighted to welcome this rare screening of Sam Green’s intimate portrait of Annea Lockwood. Over 33 minutes the film offers a a glimpse into the enthralling world of sound that Annea has been creating and exploring over her expansive career. […]
Annea Lockwood: ‘bayou-borne’ + <3 (Less Than Three)
Sat 11 April 2026, 14:30
We return to the beloved Maryhill Community Central Halls venue for two sprawling group performances. <3 (Less Than Three) open the show, the trio of Deas McMorrow, Lene Tassin and Harry Bix. Their musical compositions are a fragmented exploration of each member’s world. Hand forged instruments, spoken word, fiction, and musical instrumentations overlap. Their performance […]
@xcrswx + Ryu Hankil + Inweys + Soldier
Sat 11 April 2026, 19:00
Saturday night welcomes a four way tangle, welcoming artists from Glasgow, Chengdu, Seoul and London. After welcoming Beijing’s Yan Jun last year to Counterflows, we continue with our focus on China’s rich and sprawling underground music scene. This time we welcome an exciting new project from Chengdu – Soldier – an experimental duo, representing one […]
Seekersinternational + Mother (DJ) + Alliyah Enyo (DJ)
Sat 11 April 2026, 23:00
Our 2nd clubnight as part of Counterflows returns to the Art School’s Assembly Hall, where we’ll be focussing on making it sounding and looking as good as possible: fully prep’d for 4 hours of dance subsumption. Downstairs we’ll be keeping the Vic Bar open as a quieter spot to hang out and chill, meaning you […]
Small publisher fair
Sun 12 April 2026, 12:00
It’s become a tradition now that at each Sunday at Counterflows we present a fair, welcoming stalls from our favourite small publishers. This event is free entry and welcome to everyone MILK will be serving up some delicious food, and DJs Han and Sadsugar will be on the decks. Selling records, zines, tapes and various […]
Annea Lockwood’s Piano Garden
Sun 12 April 2026, 14:00
Following the intimate performances of the Piano Garden by Xenia Pestova Bennett we’ll be opening up the Gathering Ground community garden space to the public. This is a chance to come along and see Annea’s planted piano in public, and have a plonk on it if you so choose! The Piano Garden is not at […]
Zhao Ziyi – Recording Piece: Participants required
Sun 12 April 2026, 16:00
Just announced! As part of Counterflows This Sunday at 4pm, Beijing based artist Zhao Ziyi is looking for participants for a recording piece. We’ll be meeting outside Civic House at 4pm. The event is free and open to anyone but requires signing up. Information on the piece below from Ziyi: “This is a recording piece […]
Annea Lockwood / Nate Wooley: ‘Becoming Air’ + Lin Chiwei with Uzganc Choir: “All Sentient Being Sounds” + Garazi Navas + Rufus Isabel Elliot & Kings Park Brass
Sun 12 April 2026, 18:00
The curtain falls on the festival with four performances, welcoming work from Taiwan, the USA, The Basque Country and Scotland. Skye-based artist Rufus Isabel Elliot will open the event, presenting a short new work commission for the festival. The piece will be performed by Kings Park Youth Brass, a brass band organisation based in the […]
A final hang-out
Sun 12 April 2026, 21:30
A final hang-out and goodbye for 2026. Come join us for a drink in the Civic House bar. Our good friends Patrick Ward and Frances Morgan will be on the decks. Please note the capacity for this is limited
9 April 2026
9 April 2026
10 April 2026
10 April 2026
Ryu Hankil – Rubber Balloon Orchestra Workshop (all ages)
Counterflows on Paper 2026 Launch
Ryu Hankil – Human Field Recorder and Player Workshop (16-25 year olds only)
Annea Lockwood discussion and listening event, hosted by Kate Molleson
Michaela Turcerová + Hannan Jones
Los Thuthanaka + Al Karpenter
DJ E + Turbo Sonidero + Escocia Mania
11 April 2026
11 April 2026
Film Screening: ‘Annea Lockwood / A Film About Listening’ by Sam Green
Film Screening: ‘Annea Lockwood / A Film About Listening’ by Sam Green – 2nd screening
Annea Lockwood: ‘bayou-borne’ + <3 (Less Than Three)
@xcrswx + Ryu Hankil + Inweys + Soldier
Seekersinternational + Mother (DJ) + Alliyah Enyo (DJ)
12 April 2026
12 April 2026
Small publisher fair
Annea Lockwood’s Piano Garden
Zhao Ziyi – Recording Piece: Participants required
Annea Lockwood / Nate Wooley: ‘Becoming Air’ + Lin Chiwei with Uzganc Choir: “All Sentient Being Sounds” + Garazi Navas + Rufus Isabel Elliot & Kings Park Brass
A final hang-out
Artists
@xcrswx
<3 (Less Than Three)
Agnès Pe
Al Karpenter
Alliyah Enyo (DJ)
Annea Lockwood
DJ E
Escocia Mania
Garazi Navas
Hannan Jones
Hexakaidecagon
Inweys
Lin Chi-Wei
Los Thuthanaka
Marlo de Lara
Michaela Turcerová
Mother (DJ)
Remont Pomp
Rhodri Davies & Áine O’Dwyer
Rufus Isabel Elliot
Ryu Hankil
Seekersinternational
Soldier
