Our annual four-day festival returns May 30th – June 2nd for a 12th instalment of forward-thinking music on the fringes. Presenting contemporary ideas in music and sound in beautiful K’jipuktuk | Halifax, Nova Scotia, OBEY programs with intention, integrity and consideration.

This year, we’ve got a general Call For Submissions and a special Composer-in-Residence program. The deadline for both applications is December 14th, 2018 at midnite AST. Full program details in the links provided. Bring on the flood of new energies!

Our 12th annual festival is coming up May 30 – June 2, 2019. We’re looking for people to help us build and shape our programme. Do you have an ear for new music? Do you like what OBEY has done so far? Do you have suggestions of how we might improve our programming? We’d love to hear from you!

For many years, we’ve been mindful of bringing people together in ways that challenge the music industry standards in Nova Scotia. While considering and supporting the local and regional communities that surround our organization, we’ve also purposefully encouraged them to explore new corners and accept new ideas. This is a vital tension that keeps OBEY thriving.

This year, we’re inviting YOU to take part in our programming process. Details on process and application guidelines after the jump!

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Announcing the first show of a new season! In mid-October, we’re hosting Irish organ conjurer Áine O’Dwyer. Visiting us all the way from London, her time here is sure to unearth some heavy vibrations. O’Dwyer will be performing an activation of Fort Massey’s historic pipe organ as well as an artist talk entitled Sound Walks From Medjugorje,  showcasing her recent research into the famed apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Herzegovina. More details can be found on our events page.

After another inspiring year of programming, we’re taking a bit of time away to rejuvenate, recoup and reconsider ourselves. We’ve already got some heavy things in the mix for our upcoming 2018/19 season, which we’ll be sharing with you all in September! As ever, if you feeling excited about what we do, please visit our membership page and consider signing up!

(photo cred: Steve Hiett)

We’re THRILLED to be partnering with the Halifax Jazz Festival to present PANTAYO, Toronto’s contemporary, Filipino kulintang ensemble. Rooted in the traditional gong musics of the Philippines, Pantayo add a diasporic lens and include flourishes of synth, keys and kick-drum to the already meditative, heady mix of timbre and rhythm.

:::::::: More details on our events page ::::::::
:::::::: Tickets are available online now ::::::::

BLESS EVERYONE who brought their wild love, energy, knowledge and talents to this year’s fest! It was a weekend that far surpassed our expectations. We were floored by the generosity and resonance.

Artists played their hearts out, audiences listened with great focus and attention, volunteers went above and beyond, staff / venues / sponsors showed up in ways that allowed us to honour the work needed to build such magic. We’re feeling DEEPLY humbled by the support people showed us this past weekend. Truly one of the most memorable instalments of our eleven year run.

Now for a nap until July when we host Filipino gong ensemble Pantayo at Halifax Jazz Festival.

Our 11th annual festival is just around the corner. We’re so excited to celebrate the Sonic Spring once more with artists from across the globe. Here’s some important info you may need to enjoy the shows :::

~ The full line-up

~ The full schedule

~ A map of the venues

~ Passes can be picked up at Lost & Found (2383 Agricola St) or at the door of any ticketed show

~ Tickets can be purchased online from Ticket Halifax. A select number of cash-only tickets are available at Lost & Found (2383 Agricola St) until Sunday at 6pm.

~ Tickets sold at the door are CASH ONLY

~ The bar at our Nídia show is CASH ONLY

~ All OBEY Convention events are Pay What You Can. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. We don’t want you to skip a show due to perceived financial barriers/obligations, please come!

~ Accessibility notes: With the exception of the Mi’kmaq Friendship Centre, all venues offer wheelchair accessibility. With the exception of Common Roots Farm, all venues offer gender neutral washrooms. Full accessibility notes available in our program guide and in Facebook events. Please contact our hospitality manager, Gianna, with any questions: hospitality@obeyconvention.com

The Sonic Spring is nearly here! We just picked up our beautiful guides (designed by the amazing Meg Yoshida). We’ll be dishing these out all around town over the next week, so keep your eyes peeled. These pocket-friendly fest guides provide you with all the juicy details you’ll need to wander deep into the wilding. Individual tickets are moving fast and a scant 10 fest passes remain!

Here comes spring y’all! Today we announce the full festival schedule for OBEY XI: We’ve got 20 unique events across four days featuring music, film, live interviews, performance art, community workshops and more! Check it out right here.

A limited number of full-access festival passes remain. Grab one before they’re gone. Individual tickets are now available online through Ticket Halifax. As of May 1st, cash-only tickets will be available for purchase in person at Lost & Found, 2383 Agricola St. Halifax NS.

We learned recently that, due to unforeseen circumstances, MTL’s Strange Froots aren’t able to participate in OBEY this year. However, we’re thrilled to report that supernatural TO rapper momma Sydanie is stepping in. Please, watch this teaser video and tell us you aren’t also deeply, deeply thrilled.