Talk Low Music Festival returns to downtown in September

Talk Low Music Festival returns in late September, bringing three days of experimental music and creativity to downtown Cincinnati.

Presented by Cincinnati-based Whited Sepulchre Records, Talk Low showcases artists working across electronic, classical, hip-hop and avant-garde traditions. The label, known for championing boundary-pushing music, launched the festival in 2024 to create a platform to bring local awareness to experimental artists from around the world. Organizers include label founder and executive director Ryan Hall, along with Britni Bicknaver and Brianna Matzke, executive director of local progressive chamber ensemble concertnova.

Last year’s festival featured performances by Laraaji, Maria Chavez, Joy Guidry and KMRU.

Now in its second year, the festival – which runs Sept. 26-28 – moves to the Contemporary Arts Center and Memorial Hall. The lineup includes Los Angeles experimental-rap group clipping, featuring actor and musician Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”); pianist Kelly Moran; Cairo-based electronic artist Nadah El Shazly; White Boy Scream; Cole Pulice; organist Sarah Davachi; and a collaborative performance between Yoni Wolf and concertnova.

On Sunday, Sept. 29, concertnova will present “Borrowed Landscape” at The Mercantile Library downtown. Composed by London-based Japanese-British artist Dai Fujikura, the radio play – or “narratorio” – shares the stories of three instruments that survived World War II: a Hiroshima piano, a Polish double bass and a Stradivarius violin from Budapest. Fujikura will attend a post-concert talk-back and reception.

The music schedule is below.

This year, Talk Low expands with placemaking projects across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, artist-led workshops and a continued focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration. Details are available on the event website.

Festival pass holders can reserve a seat for $10 (regularly $35). Individual ticket holders also receive a discount. 

Performance schedule

Friday, Sept. 26, 7-11 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center, downtown
Cole Pulice (Oakland) / White Boy Scream (Los Angeles) / To be announced

Saturday, Sept. 27, 7-11 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center, downtown
Moor Mother (New York City) / Nadah El Shazly (Cairo, Egypt) / Sarah Davachi (Canada)

Sunday, Sept. 28, 7-11 p.m.
Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine (in partnership with the Longworth Anderson Series)
clipping. (L.A.) / Kelly Moran (New York) / Yoni Wolf and concertnova (Cincinnati)

Talk Low