Sara Tourbah EarthSonic at In Place Of War	Tess Kendall Ninja Tune	Nis Bøgvad Europe in Synch / Act in Synch

21:00 / 22:15 / 23:30

TAKKUUK (Immersive Installation / Screening)

TAKKUUK is a new immersive installation from EarthSonic and In Place of War, Bicep, visual artist Zak Norman and filmmaker Charlie Miller that explores the lives, communities and challenges facing artists Indigenous to the Arctic Region. The installation sees the renowned Northern Irish electronic duo — otherwise known as Andy Ferguson and Matthew McBriar — collaborating with a number of Indigenous vocalists, including Katarina Barruk, Andachan, Sebastian Enequist (from Sound of the Damned), Tarrak, NUIJA, Niilas and Silla. The project has received critical attention, premiering at the Outernet in London on 3 July 2025, with a recent screening at Wintercircus in Ghent as part of its world tour. (Screenings: – 21:00 – 22:15 – 23:30)

THURSDAY 20 NOV

09:00 – 10:00

MEETING: Before the Noise: Morning Walk and Talk

Morning Walk & Talk: Move, Meet, Connect Start your day with inspiration and fresh air! The Act in Synch Social Club invites you to join our Morning Walk & Talk session, designed to turn casual steps into meaningful connections.
!! Hot coffee and croissants included !!
(because walking on an empty stomach is just cruel).

Our Morning Walk & Talks are the perfect way to:

• Kickstart conversations in a relaxed, informal setting –
• Connect with delegates you might not meet in conference sessions
• Share insights, discover opportunities, and spark collaborations.

Sign up at this registration form to join!

with Nis Bøgvad and Ren Horvath (Europe in Synch / Act in Synch)

Renato Horvath Eastaste	Nis Bøgvad Europe in Synch / Act in Synch

10:45 – 12:00

PANEL: Creator Spotlights: From Riffs to Revolutions – When Artists Take a Stand

Artists have the power to spark change, but how do creative practices translate into real-world impact? Is it even an artist’s responsibility to advocate for anything beyond the music? Should artists be expected to speak up on bigger issues, to change the world or just to make music?

This conversation brings together changemaker artists to explore how their work inspires action, engages communities, and addresses social, cultural, and environmental challenges. Panelists will share strategies, collaborations, and platforms that amplify their influence, while reflecting on the tension between artistic integrity and advocacy. Attendees will gain insight into how artists measure impact, build meaningful connections, and use creativity as a tool for transformation. This session invites participants to see art not just as cultural expression, but as a dynamic force for change if and when artists choose to wield it.

Speakers: Alexandra Papademetriou, Saria Tourbah, Galen Ayers, Pasquale Pezzillo, Anna Serlenga.
Host: Gabriella Gal.

12:15 – 13:30

ROUNDTABLE: Degrowth & Culture: Rethinking Success in Music?

This session explores what it means to “degrow” in the context of a musical career. Drawing on principles of degrowth and regenerative culture, we ask whether intentionally stepping away from constant marketing, branding, and consumption-driven models can foster sustainability, wellbeing, and deeper community impact. Instead of measuring success by scale or visibility, this conversation looks at how slowing down, simplifying practices, and prioritizing care—for oneself, collaborators, and audiences—can create space for resilience, creativity, and meaningful cultural contribution. We invite musicians and professionals to imagine alternative paths where less ambition for growth makes room for richer, more connected artistic lives.

Speakers: Fouzia Draoua, Alexandra Papademetriou, Galen Ayers, Giovanni Romano, Host: Rike van Kleef.

14:30 – 15:30

PANEL: TAKKUUK – The talk: Indigenous Voices in Focus

The immersive TAKKUUK installation explores the lives, communities, and challenges facing Indigenous artists, highlighting the broader importance of centering Indigenous voices in contemporary art. This panel gathers creatives from the project to reflect on the role of art in amplifying underrepresented perspectives, the ethics and responsibilities of cross-cultural collaboration, and the urgency of engaging with Indigenous knowledge in times of global change. Together, they invite audiences to rethink how art can engage with, support, and learn from Indigenous communities in a rapidly changing world.

Speakers: Niilas, Charlie Miller, Tess Kendall, Saria Tourbah, Host: Nis Bøgvad.

17:00 – 18:00

CONVERSATION: Sonic Ecology & Re-Oceaning: A Journey Through Sound, Science, and Connection

What does it mean to listen to the Ocean? In this open dialogue, sound artist and composer Coco Francavilla and journalist Damir Ivic explore how sonic ecology and creativity can foster deeper environmental awareness. Coco shares how her personal journey — shaped by years in the music industry and a growing connection to nature — led to Re-Oceaning, a call to reconnect with the Ocean and ourselves through sound.

The conversation touches on her work with MusicForTheSea and Posidonia Soundscapes, a UNESCO-endorsed Action for the UN Ocean Decade, which uses underwater acoustics, sound, and storytelling to inspire collective care for marine biodiversity and climate resilience.

Speaker: Coco Francavilla. Host: Damir Ivic.

17:45 – 18:30

KEYNOTE: The Political Power of Music

Music can empower communities, challenge injustice, and amplify resistance, and so a very urgent question arises: How can we make music serve the interests of the many, rather than the few?

This question has been a devoted theme in modern music and has become even more pressing in recent years and various artists have tried to answer it. Patti Smith, combating climate change with her NGO “Pathway to Paris”; Massive Attack, Fontaines DC and Kneecap together in the newly formed “Alliance of Musician” that opposes to the harassment and censorship artists are facing for their support of Palestine, Brian Eno – who’s also part of the Alliance – recently announced benefit concert “Together for Palestine”.

Dave Randall, musician, producer, activist and author of Sound System: The Political Power of Music – described as “a book of raves, riots and revolution” – will offer a powerful keynote on the political potential of music. Drawing on decades of experience as a performer and campaigner, his examination of culture and social change, emphazises the need for solidarity, courage, hope and celebration.

Speaker: Dave Randall.

FRIDAY 21 NOV

09:00 – 10:00

MEETING: Before the Noise: Morning Walk and Talk

Morning Walk & Talk: Move, Meet, Connect Start your day with inspiration and fresh air! The Act in Synch Social Club invites you to join our Morning Walk & Talk session, designed to turn casual steps into meaningful connections.
!! Hot coffee and croissants included !!
(because walking on an empty stomach is just cruel).

Our Morning Walk & Talks are the perfect way to:

• Kickstart conversations in a relaxed, informal setting –
• Connect with delegates you might not meet in conference sessions
• Share insights, discover opportunities, and spark collaborations.

Sign up at this registration form to join!

with Nis Bøgvad and Ren Horvath (Europe in Synch / Act in Synch)

10:45 – 11:45

PANEL: How to (re)act to stories or incidents of violation or violence

Building on insights gained from past working group sessions and activities, the ECSA working group dedicated to promoting gender and diversity inclusion in the music industry identified a need for this discussion to delve into the critical topic of how to react as a third party when experiencing discriminatory, coercive or bad behaviour. A key focus will be on developing effective responses to reported incidents of violence and looking into behavioural tools to facilitate de-escalation whilst addressing the problem at hand, in the sense of not looking away.

Speakers: Aysha Hussain, Samsaya, Irene Tiberi, Daniele Demartini. Host: Zahra Mani.

Partners: European Composer & Songwriter Alliance, Creative Europe

17:00 – 18:00

PANEL: Harnessing Music for Urban Climate Action

What happens when music becomes part of the city’s climate toolkit? Urban communities face growing climate challenges from extreme weather to environmental injustice. Yet responses are often dominated by technical or policy-led solutions.This panel explores how music and the arts can play a transformative role in shaping more inclusive, resilient cities. Bringing together voices from the music industry, urban innovation, and grassroots organizing, we examine how community-based cultural programming can foster climate-conscious behaviors, strengthen social bonds, and reinforce local identity. Can creative practices succeed where policy alone cannot?This session invites participants to rethink music not only as cultural expression but as a powerful driver for climate action, civic participation, and eco-social transformation. Infrastructure and policy are advancing, but hearts, habits, and cultural behaviors are lagging. Without emotional infrastructure, shared rituals, trusted relationships, and joyful participation – transitions remain abstract.

Speakers: Carlos Ribeiro, Frank Kimenai, Sophie Lamprou, Joost Vervoort. Host: Paula Simó Tomás.

18:00 – 19:00

SHOWCASE: Coco Francavilla Live Presents: Ocean Womb A Re-Oceaning Journey Through Theta Waves

Don’t Miss Out

This program is part of the Synch Summit and the main Linecheck conference. Your pass gives you access to all of it.

ACT IN SYNCH is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.

GET YOUR TICKET NOW