Music On Main's Modulus Festival to Return in November
Events will run from November 7-10.
By: Chloe Rabinowitz Oct. 10, 2025
Modulus Festival will return this November, inviting audiences to experience bold ideas, powerful stories, and genre-defying performances that go beyond traditional concerts. Recognized as one of Canada's most important new music events, this year's biennial festival embraces an interdisciplinary approach, combining music, visual arts, immersive installations, and participatory experiences that highlight the vibrancy of Vancouver's creative community.
From November 7-10, 2025, the festival offers four days of transformative performances, interactive textile crafting sessions, and collaborative projects that encourage audiences to imagine and build the future together. This year, the festival emphasizes connection, co-creation, and reflection, providing both intimate and large-scale experiences for audience members.
Festival Highlights:
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Building Together II: Acoustic Reactions - A showcase of new sound sculptures, instruments, and sonic objects, opening November 7 and on view throughout the festival at The Roundhouse.
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Luddite Land Assembly - Over multiple sessions, audiences contribute to a large-scale, plant-dyed textile installation, guided by The Only Animal Theatre, weaving storytelling, natural dyeing, and creativity into a living work of art. (Tickets on sale soon!)
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Resonant Transmutations - A multidisciplinary project by Pedram Baldari and Matt Rahaim, transforming objects of systemic violence into instruments of reflection and healing, blending music, performance, and visual storytelling.
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Klavierklang Film Premiere - A cinematic tone poem by Hildegard Westerkamp, performed on screen by Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa, directed by Nettie Wild, and edited by Michael Brockington, celebrates the piano as an extraordinary instrument.
Musical Programming Includes:
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Mad in Moonlight: Standing Wave Ensemble, featuring world premieres by Linda Caitlin Smith, Marcus Goddard's arrangement of Terry Riley's Half-Wolf Dances Mad in Moonlight, and tributes to Keith Hamel.
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Shelter: Music by Dorothy Chang - A program reflecting the wide emotional spectrum of celebrated composer Dorothy Chang's work, with flute, harp, piano, and cello, performed by Vancouver's finest artists.
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Luddite Land Assembly Concert - The Only Animal's project culminates in a concert on Sunday night with music from the land and heart by Tsimka Martin and Michael Red, and songs of rivers, mountains and rainforests by Caley Watts. Audience members may take part in cordage-making with provided materials or simply sit back and listen.
Free Community Events:
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Opening Night Celebration - November 7 at The Roundhouse, welcoming all to kick off the festival.
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Free Family Concert - Terry Riley's In C on November 9, inviting audiences of all ages to experience live experimental music.
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Industry Night - November 9 at the Roundhouse, connecting artists, creators, and music professionals.
Tickets on sale now! Save over 15% and get tickets to 5 concerts and 5 complimentary drink tickets with the Modulus All-Access Package.
Read more about the 2025 Modulus Festival.
Featured Events:
NOVEMBER 7-10 | Roundhouse opening hours
Building Together II: Acoustic Reactions
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 | 5:30PM
Modulus Festival Opening Party
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 | 7:30PM
featuring: SJ Kirsch, soprano; Mark McGregor, flute; Adrian Verdejo, guitar; and film premiere of KLAVIERKLANG
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | Various times
Luddite Land Assembly Sessions
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | 3:00PM
Shelter: Music by Dorothy Chang
featuring: Paolo Bortolussi & Mark Takeshi McGregor, flutes & kick drums; Janelle Nadeau, harp; Nicole Linaksita, piano; and Jonathan Lo, cello
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | 7:30PM
featuring: Instruments by Pedram Baldari and compositions by Matthew Rahaim
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 | 3:00PM
Free Family Concert: Terry Riley's "In C"
featuring: Music on Main's All-Star Band
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 | 7:30PM
featuring: Tsimka Martin, Michael Red, and Caley Watts
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10 | 7:30PM
featuring: Standing Wave Ensemble
Vancouver Awards - Live Stats
Best Musical - Top 3
1.
MARY POPPINS: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL (Theatre In The Country)
18.1% of votes
2.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Metro Theatre)
16.3% of votes
3.
WEST SIDE STORY (CTORA Theatre)
15.3% of votes
Videos