Dublin Sound Lab: Music Current 2025

Dublin Sound Lab is a contemporary music project group specialising in electronic and computer-mediated concert performance. As well as presenting existing works, we initiate collaborations and use computer-based techniques to explore relationships between compositional process and performance practice, and to create new and engaging concert experiences.

Formed in 2008 by composer Fergal Dowling and organist Michael Quinn, Dublin Sound Lab has worked with many leading Irish and international composers, performing works by: Ailis Ni Riain, Gérard Grisey, Salvatore Sciarrino, Kaija Saariaho, Luca Francesconi, Karlheinz Essl, Peter Ablinger, Mauricio Kagel, Wim de Ruiter, Ann Cleare, Scott McLaughlin, Barry Truax, Roderik de Man, Karen Tanaka, Jean-Claude Risset, Ed Bennett, Judith Ring, Gerald Barry, Jonathan Nangle, Jonathan Harvey, Rob Canning, Gráinne Mulvey, David Bremner, and Garth Knox, amongst others.

Dublin Sound Lab has initiated collaborations with many composers and artists. In 2011 we invited Karlheinz Essl, on his first visit to Ireland, to develop new generative and interactive works for ensemble in collaboration with Dublin musicians and composers, and to perform the new works in concert. In 2013 we commissioned MIRRORS OF EARTH, a large-scale video work by Ailbhe Ní Bhriain to accompany the complete performance of Kaija Saariaho’s seminal mixed-media work, MAA. In 2014 we commissioned PLACES & RESPONSES for the Dublin Fringe Festival, a multi-venue, dispersed performance, involving collaboration with Peter Ablinger, Gráinne Mulvey, Rob Canning and Piaras Hoban.

In 2016 Dublin Sound Lab launched MUSIC CURRENT, Dublin's annual festival of contemporary electronic music. The festival features guest composers, international performers, workshops, masterclasses, public discussions, new commission opportunities, and premiers of works by participating composers.

Dublin Sound Lab believes that contemporary music should be engaging and exciting and that the presentation and production of concerts should be as inspiring as great musical performance. We recognise that there is a new audience for contemporary art and live music performance that wants to experience music in new ways. Dublin Sound Lab wants to reach these audiences and inspire these listeners by presenting the very best and newest contemporary music from Ireland and abroad, and by creating amazing new experiences with sound and technology.