The Night of the Unexpected

Highlighting the diversity of contemporary music

This one-night festival aims to highlight the diversity and dynamics of contemporary music practice. And you can't say they don't take that aim seriously: The Night of the Unexpected is jam-packed with musical surprises leading you through a wide range of styles and genres, from quiet chamber music to booming noise.

Tight succession of short, sharp performances

The tightly produced succession of short, sharp performances allows for no breaks. Another special feature of the Night is that performances often pop up off-stage, challenging and surprising audiences and making optimal use of every corner of Paradiso.

Unconventional presentation

With this unconventional presentation, the Night aims to enable both artists and audience to have a unique musical experience. An ensemble, for example, may position itself in the middle of the main hall, surrounded by the audience, the audience may be sung to from the balcony, and a five-minute pianola composition may be followed directly by hypnotising beats and lasers.

From turntablism to prepared piano

One of the best examples of the genre-defying fun that The Night of the Unexpected stands for is Thundercat, whose futurist jazz-electro-hip-hop fusion debut album was produced by Flying Lotus, but who also plays bass for Suicidal Tendencies. This year's edition also features instrumental hip-hop royalty such as Kid Koala, Ninja Tune's king of turntablism; minimal contemporary classical by prepared-piano player Hauschka, who's previously collaborated with Múm drummer Samuli Kosminen and Calexico's John Convertino and Joe Burns; and recorder player Erik Bosgraaf.