The first UK edition of George Lewis’s Afrodiasporic Incubator project, curated by vocalist and composer Elaine Mitchener, presented by the Barbican and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
For the first time in the UK, through performances, talks and installations, we turn the spotlight on a rich, radical, diverse and resonant body of experimental music from composers who have been tightly policed as to which genres they could occupy, and excluded, both imaginatively and literally, from the contemporary music space.
Experimental vocalist Pamela Z headlines at a weekend of avant garde, resonant music from the Afrodiaspora. Featuring Aaron Azunda Akugbo, Chiron Choir, Gweneth-Ann Rand, Thomas Randle, Pat Thomas, Apartment House and the brand new Always Already There Ensemble, the inaugural UK edition of George Lewis’s project spotlights music from Alice Coltrane to Olly Wilson, Ayanna-Witter Johnson to Hannah Kendall, Anthony Braxton to Charles Uzor.
Produced by the Barbican in partnership with Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Events
Always, Already There: Going Beyond
Fri 23 Oct 2026, 19:30
A mesmerising sequence of sung, played and communally-devised performances with music from Hannah Kendall to Alice Coltrane, marking the opening of the Always, Already There weekend.
Always, Already There: Time Echoes
Sat 24 Oct 2026, 14:30
An ear-opening celebration of the engagement by Afrodiasporic composers past and present with the interaction between live instrumental and electronic music, featuring four exciting soloists.
Black Art Notes
Sat 24 Oct 2026, 17:00
Leading improvisers and composer-performers are joined by students from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama to perform graphic and open score work by Afrodiasporic composers.
Always, Already There: The Ensemble and Pamela Z
Sat 24 Oct 2026, 20:00
Join us for a night of two halves: the Always, Already There Ensemble presents UK premieres by Charles Uzor, Corie-Rose Soumah and Marisse Cato, next to a solo set from electronic artist Pamela Z.
Always, Already There: Apartment House – Not in Between
Sun 25 Oct 2026, 14:30
Pioneering group Apartment House present a programme of work by significant Afro-diasporic composers, covering over half a century of avant-garde and experimental music, for the first time in the UK.
Always, Already There: Words like Freedom
Sun 25 Oct 2026, 16:30
Join us for a compendium of Black Art Song focused on the female voice, devised by leading soprano Gweneth Ann Rand and pianist Allyson Devenish.
Always, Already There: building a burning house
Sun 25 Oct 2026, 19:00
The Always, Already There Ensemble are joined by three stellar singers at this celebratory concert marking the end of our Always, Already There weekend.