Following their premiere at MOMO Festival 2026, CHARLOT is now on tour with their new show.

CHARLOT is driven by a deep need to understand. After writing her debut album Lost Like Alice, in which she wandered through questions of meaning and identity, she discovers in her new work that identity may not be what truly matters. Inspired by psychology and Eastern philosophy, she realizes she has drifted somewhat from what is essential: her first love for the act of creating itself, the practice of (self-)compassion, and the ability to remain in awe and stay curious. Her new music emerges as she turns inward and slows down, in a world that keeps rushing forward.

Tour dates
21 May – PAARD, Den Haag
22 May – Merleyn, Nijmegen
19 Nov – Bitterzoet, Amsterdam
20 Nov – Rotown, Rotterdam

Nieuwe Makers Regeling
CHARLOT is also part of the Nieuwe Makers Regeling (Fonds Podiumkunsten) in collaboration with Motel Mozaïque, O. and Paradiso Melkweg Productiehuis.Over two years CHARLOT will explore new ways to enhance the storytelling in their music by working with various artists. The ambition is to grow as both an artist and performer, ultimately creating an interdisciplinary show.

MOMO Create
Since its inception, Motel Mozaïque has been dedicated to supporting emerging artists and new creative projects. From providing a stage for up-and-coming talent to co-creating productions with various artists and organizing unique residencies, Motel Mozaïque has been at the forefront of artistic development.
In 2021, these efforts were formalized under MOMO Create, a core initiative focused on talent development and artistic storytelling. MOMO Create provides makers with the space to share their stories, explore their inspirations, and develop their creative processes.

From Afro Grunge to soulful crooners, from city residencies to world premieres: this was MOMO Festival 2026
For three days, Rotterdam served as the backdrop for a remarkable program

From 16 to 18 April 2026, Motel Mozaïque once again transformed Rotterdam into a playground for music, art and performance. Following last year’s anniversary edition of the MOMO Festival, this year’s event proved that the festival cannot be confined to a single sound or discipline, but instead thrives on an eclectic program in which established names, premieres and new discoveries stood side by side.

A program that provokes and connects
MOMO’s strength lies in its range. Obongjayar set Theater Rotterdam alight with a set that fused Afrobeat punk with pop, soul and raw energy. Weval brought the audience into a hypnotic electronic trance, whilst Wesley Joseph demonstrated why his future-pop is among the most talked-about sounds of the moment. At BIRD, anaiis showcased an activist sound with her innovative soul, whilst Joshua Idehen navigated charmingly between the dance floor and poetry. In between, there was the Afro Grunge of Boko Yout, the chaotic post-punk of Mandy, Indiana, and the raucous excesses of Man/Woman/Chainsaw from South London. And then there was Tyler Ballgame at Arminius, a performance that was frequently talked about in the corridors.

Premieres and residencies
On the opening night, Figures of Speech by Femke Gyselinck / GRIP & Lander Gyselinck had its Dutch premiere; with seven dancers and four percussionists, it set the tone for the days that followed. In addition, CHARLOT, Amber Docters van Leeuwen and Djuwa Mroivili premiered new work in Rotterdam. With The Error of Being, choreographer Tú Hoàng presented an exclusive preview of the new production by NEXT – Conny Janssen Danst. Following in the footsteps of caroline, Black Country, New Road and Tom Skinner, Nusantara Beat brilliantly fulfilled the role of Artist in Residence this year. The Dutch-Indonesian band performed for three days at the MOMO Festival, featuring an inspiring talk, a DJ set, an intimate set at Arminius, and pulling out all the stops in the main hall of Theater Rotterdam. For the Black Box Residency, NÉNÉ brought her Afrofuturist work to Rotterdam, in collaboration with Ghanaian artists, and demonstrated how wearable art can be a form of resistance and self-expression.

The city as a stage
For three days, Rotterdam served as Playground. Alongside a host of venues and surprising locations across the city, Schouwburgplein was transformed into Playground, featuring a free music program, talks, a market and workshops. My First MOMO introduced the youngest visitors to all facets of a festival, whilst the tours guided the public through unexpected corners and themes of the city. In this way, the city became a canvas for artists from diverse genres and corners of the globe, upon which visitors, creators and venues together provided surprises and new encounters.

MOMO Festival 2026 was exactly what a festival should be: a place where you arrive with expectations and leave with new discoveries and experiences.

The next edition of the MOMO Festival will take place on 15, 16 and 17 April 2027.

We have some really good news for you: the residency program for MOMO Festival 2026 is complete! Over all three festival days, 16, 17 and 18 April, Nusantara Beat will perform at different locations across Rotterdam.

 

Program Residency – Nusantara Beat

Thursday 16 April | 20:30 – 21:15
Special session: Nusantara Beat – Arminius
In the intimate setting of the Arminius church, Nusantara Beat kicks off their residency with a special Thursday evening. Not a traditional live show, but a glimpse behind the scenes of their artistic world. Expect a jam-session-style setting where the audience gets up close. Both literally and figuratively. The band will share their creative process, play around with ideas and, above all, perform songs that you probably haven’t experienced live before. A unique opportunity to experience their music in a raw, honest form, exactly as it is created.

Friday 17 April | 18:30 – 19:30
Nusantara Beat – Theater Rotterdam, Grote Zaal

Saturday 18 April | 16:00 – 16:30
Talk: Gitaren uit de Oost in gesprek met Nusantara Beat (NL) – Schouwburgplein
Nusantara Beat laat zich inspireren door Soendapop en Balinese pop uit de jaren ’60 en ’70 en vertaalt deze invloeden naar een eigentijdse sound. Een gesprek over de persoonlijke achtergronden van de bandleden en hun zoektocht naar hun roots, en specifieke regio’s en stijlen die hen inspireren. Hoe vertaal je zulke rijke, diverse tradities naar muziek van nu?

Saturday 18 April | 00:00 – 01:00 
DJ-set Nusantara Beat – Theater Rotterdam, Hal

Meet… Plonki. A rare band who excel in penning songs that feel warm, intimate and lived-in, yet can turn on the afterburners at any given moment. Clouds of melancholy hover over sun-kissed grooves; squalls of guitars can be tokens of pure relish and release.

We travelled to The Hague to check out their Grauzone show and met up with Pleun for a lovely interview. Curious? Plonki is opening the stage at Schouwburgplein on Saturday. The perfect way to get your day started: warm, fuzzy, inspired.

The moment you’ve been waiting for: the full MOMO Festival 2026 line-up is out and the timetable is live!

Start planning your April 16–18 across Rotterdam’s city centre. Dive into the day-by-day breakdown, find your highlights and make the weekend yours.

No ticket yet? Grab your Passe-partout for €100 and experience it all – or pick your favourite day and jump in.

take me to the timetable

Ooit begonnen als een samenwerking tijdens Rotterdam als Culturele Hoofdstad van Europa in 2001, groeide Motel Mozaïque (MOMO) als geesteskind van Harry Hamelink in ruim twee decennia uit tot een toonaangevend multidisciplinair festival. Daarnaast ontstonden vele initiatieven als Bazar Curieux, Fabrique Mozaïque, MOMO Concerts en MOMO Create & Perform. Voor zijn tomeloze inzet en energie voor het culturele veld in Rotterdam ontving Harry in 2023 de Rotterdamse Cultuurpenning. Nu is het tijd voor een nieuw hoofdstuk in zijn carrière.

Eerder in 2024 werd een deel van zijn werkzaamheden al overgedragen aan Enoma Amayo (Hoofd programma) en Margriet Colenbrander (Algemeen directeur), per 1 februari is het stokje definitief overhandigd. Zij bouwen samen met het team verder aan het rijke mozaïek, waaraan in de voorgaande jaren zo zorgvuldig gebouwd is door Harry. Hun visie en werkwijze sluiten daar ook naadloos bij aan: ruimte bieden aan verschillende geluiden, perspectieven en verhalen; je laten verrassen en mee laten voeren bij adembenemende voorstellingen en steengoede muziek die je misschien nog niet kende. Altijd met Rotterdam als canvas.

Harry over zijn tijd bij MOMO: “Niks mooiers dan samen met anderen werken aan nieuwe ideeën! Open staan voor kunstenaars, de nieuwste bands presenteren en spraakmakende performers scouten. Tot de verbeelding sprekende locaties verrijken met kunst, je laten inspireren door artiesten, kunstenaars en festivalvrijwilligers. Je eigen verwondering onderzoeken, lokale en internationale kunst, sociale onderwerpen, de stad en het publiek aan elkaar koppelen en omvormen tot een bruisend stadsfestival. Onbevangen, intuïtief durven experimenteren.
25 jaar MOMO betekent voor mij: dankbaarheid voor alle ontmoetingen, optredens, gidsentochten, persaandacht, ontvangen budgetten, tentoonstellingen, samenwerkingspartners, teamleden, het vertrouwen én de bezoekers. Ik heb er met volle teugen van genoten en heb me altijd een geluksvogel gevoeld dat ik zo vaak in de keuken kan kijken bij het creatieproces van kunstenaars en wil me daar verder in ontwikkelen, in Rotterdam en ver daarbuiten. Aan nieuwe ideeën bij mij nooit een gebrek.“

Het bestuur en de directie van Motel Mozaïque kijken ook terug op een heel waardevolle periode: “Wij zijn Harry ontzettend dankbaar voor zijn energie, liefde en toewijding die hij altijd heeft gehad voor het festival en de organisatie. Van wilde ideeën tot uitvoering, we hebben samen al veel mooie momenten met elkaar beleefd. Er staat een heel solide basis en het is geweldig dat het huidige team van MOMO op dit erfgoed door bouwt. Wij wensen Harry dan ook alle goeds voor de toekomst en zijn benieuwd naar wat deze nieuwe fase hem en Rotterdam allemaal gaat brengen.”

Harry laat prachtige MOMO herinneringen achter. Zo werd in 2006 Perron Mozaique bovenop de Hofbogen gebouwd. Tijdens een andere editie overnachtte het publiek in geloofshuizen. Ook koestert het team warme herinneringen aan 2018, toen een uitbundig nachtprogramma in het Groothandelsgebouw tijdens zonsopgang moeiteloos overging in een pianoconcert van Joep Beving. Op vrijdag 29 mei vieren we deze herinneringen en rijke geschiedenis van Harry & Motel Mozaïque, met een passende afscheidsfuif. Vanzelfsprekend blijft Harry voor zijn leven eregast van MOMO festival en alle andere activiteiten.

Just announced: The program of Playground – the free program of MOMO Festival 2026 – is out!

Playground is the free program of MOMO Festival, shaped by Rotterdam. A space where local makers, artists, collectives and communities take the lead. Free to access, and spread across the city centre. Playground is where ideas that live in the streets and studios of Rotterdam step forward and invite you in. No ticket required; just curiosity.

From intimate talks to diverse workshops, from themed tours to new musical discoveries, Playground reveals what is already happening just beneath the surface. It connects you with the people who give the city its energy, voice and imagination, and offers space for local makers to share their perspectives and stories.

Whether you hold a full festival pass or simply wander in, Playground lets you experience MOMO through the eyes of Rotterdam itself; up close, personal and unexpected.

Read all about it here – and make sure to secure your spot for our tours and workshops.

more about playground

Buckle up: we’ve added 28 new names to the line-up for MOMO Festival 2026!

Abel Ghekiere // Abel Natürlich // Beattie // Bonsai // Brui5er & Viki // Crybabies // Devon Rexi // Elisa Zuppini // FAST DE // Fellatio // Grote Geelstaart // Helena Casella // holybones // Ibrah Jackson // Illnoledge // KAGAMI // Man/Woman/Chainsaw // Marta Del Grandi // NEWĀRK // Nusantara Beat // plonki // PUNCHBAG // QUANZA // Sorvina // stay away from dante! // Susobrino // Welly // Wesley Joseph

& more to be announced

line-up

These artists join the line-up alongside Obongjayar, Weval,  Zimmer90, Mandy, Indiana, Tyler Ballgame and many more. And even more program is coming you way soon.

Go all in with a Passe-partout: three full days and nights for just €100. Or choose your favourite day with a Day ticket. Grab your tickets now.

Less than two months to go. Ready to experience it all?

The combination of music and spoken words becomes something profoundly unique in the hands of master poet Joshua Idehen and producer Ludvig Parment . We travelled to Amsterdam to check out their Paradiso show as support for Baxter Dury, and we were able to catch them for a quick chat on their project and their unique live show energy.

Joshua Idehen is set to release his debut solo album, I Know You’re Hurting, Everyone Is Hurting, Everyone Is Trying, You Have Got To Try, on 6 March 2026. Curious? Be sure to grab a ticket for MOMO Festival to check them out in April!

 

The performance days for Boko Yout and Rival Consoles at MOMO Festival 2026 have changed due to scheduling reasons. Both artists will now perform on a different festival day than previously announced.

Boko Yout will perform on Saturday 18 April
Rival Consoles will perform on Friday 17 April

This change has been updated on our website. You can find the correct day overview on the artist pages and on the line-up.

More MOMO Festival 2026 program announcements will follow in the coming period. Times and locations will be shared later, together with the full timetable.