XMTR Audio Arts Festival is a deep dive into the craft of creative audio and sonic storytelling - from powerful and provocative performances, to focused listening and immersive experiences, with knowledge sharing through talks and masterclasses - across multiple venues in St Leonards-on-Sea and Hastings. This seaside festival is a celebration of sound, where the local and international creative audio community connect, collaborate, inspire and inspirit.
XMTR Audio Arts Festival
Are you coming to the XMTR Festival? It’s going to be pretty mega!
25-26 September 2026
If you’re looking to expand your audio world and make some new connections, this is for you!
I know there are a lot of podcast festivals now around the country. XMTR Festival has a bit of a different focus - it’s all centred around sonic storytelling and the creative part of audio making that is at the heart of all good radio and podcasts!
XMTR Audio Arts Festival 2026 is coming up n 25-27 September and the programme is looking super exciting! Take a look: xmtr.fm/festival
International creative audio makers + the sonically curious congregate in St Leonards-on-Sea (East Sussex) for a weekend of sounds, skills and synergy with Multitrack, In The dark, safe + sound, Falling Tree, Hub & Spoke, Transom, Doku Drops, Hindenburg, Autistic Culture Network, Audio Flux, Sownd Affects, Resonance FM… and loads of audio makers from all over.
Don’t be put off by the ‘arts’ bit, XMTR is for everyone.
If you haven’t been before. here are some very good reasons to go:
- A rare opportunity for people from different audio sectors (podcasters, radio producers, community radio volunteers, sound artists, academics…) to mix, learn from each other and hang out.
- The best networking opportunity with international creative audio minds, audio festival curators, radio/podcast networks and innovators all in one places and in a relaxed environment. Plus you get to hang out with some of the most talented audio makers from around the world.
- You’ll get to experience magical and immersive audio performances, installations and sound walks.
- A year of CPDs (continuous professional development and practical hands-on workshops over one weekend.
- A deep dive into audio industry insights and research from a makers perspective: audio craft over stats and SEOs. We’re having some deep discussions about the future of creative audio.
- St Leonards Warrior Square is 1h30 from London and easy to get to from around the UK, making a day trip doable, or of course you can make a weekend of it by the seaside!
- You’ll discover a creative and friendly seaside town full of good places to eat and drink and discover.
- You’ll go home feeling, full, nourished and inspired.
Here’s some feed back from last year:
*"XMTR festival managed to mix conviviality and top-level performances /workshops, I was positively impressed and cannot wait to be back. »
“XMTR is a magical audio experience on the sea. I left feeling refreshed, inspired, and connected.”
“Creativity is essential to humanity. We need places where we can gather, practice and celebrate creativity. The XMTR Festival is one of those places.”*
Weekend and Day passes available on xmtr.fm/festival
We still have a handful of bursary places left for early career audio makers and students.
Looking forward to seeing you by the sea!
Lucia
