The Barbican Centre is hosting a rare weekend dedicated to the acoustic music of Japanese electronic pioneer and visual artist Ryoji Ikeda on 20–21 February 2026. Best known for his minimalist digital works, Ikeda turns here to strings, percussion, and voice, presenting compositions that strip away electronics to focus purely on sound in its physical form.
Created through a painstaking process of self-imposed limitations, the pieces explore ideas of symmetry, spectrum, and mathematical structure within classical instrumentation. Performed entirely without microphones or speakers, the concerts highlight the natural resonance of instruments and the presence of live performers. Taking place across multiple Barbican venues, the weekender offers a concentrated portrait of Ikeda's acoustic practice.
You can find out more about the event and book tickets here.