Now! Vor Ort – Neue Musik Zentrale, Essenbach

About this event

NOW! On Site is the pre-festival event of the 2026 NOW! Festival, themed “Transcendence,” presented by Philharmonie Essen and the Society for New Music Ruhr. Held several days before the official opening, it brings contemporary and new music into Essen’s urban fabric. The hub is the Neue-Musik-Zentrale (Viehofer Platz 18), with additional small venues nearby. The day opens with a kickoff performance in Essen’s city center featuring workshop participants and members of the Society for New Music Ruhr. From 15:00 to about 22:00, the program includes student workshops, sound installations, audience discussions, work introductions, and concerts of electronic and instrumental music curated by musicians and composers from Essen and the region. Admission is free; a NOW! Festival Pass (€30) offers reduced €7 entry per event (one ticket per event; not bookable via webshop).