20.11.24, 20:00, Alex Zhang Hungtai & Merope

Traditional Lithuanian music has always tended to be somewhat esoteric, and Merope does not break with that tradition, quite the contrary. Led by Lithuanian Indrė Jurgelevičiūtė, the group offers a unique take on traditional Baltic music, enriched by the electric guitar and electronics of Belgian Bert Cools. Impossible to pigeonhole, we try anyway, for your convenience: you can expect a mix of Lithuanian (choral) song, laid down on a bed of what we will call here, for lack of a better description, minimal ambient and jazz. The titles of their last two albums – ‘Naktės’ (nights) and ‘Salos’ (islands) – perhaps best chart their musical leanings.

By contrast, Taiwanese multidisciplinary artist Alex Zhang Hungtai focuses entirely on improvisation and its link to the subconscious. Highly esoteric at times — and hardly a trace of (choral) chants — he delves into electronic music. He explores impro, free jazz and composition, mainly with saxophone and drums. Zhang also composes film soundtracks and acts in independent films. Notable is his appearance in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return with the fictional band Trouble. His latest film score for Godland was in competition at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard.