THE BARBICAN CENTRE LONDON

A defining moment in the evolution of sound, culture & human experience.

:: THE FUTURE IS SOUND 2025 brought together artists, scientists and cultural leaders at the Barbican Centre for its most ambitious gathering to date. Across a full day of programming, the summit explored how sound shapes people, places and the planet - bringing together disciplines that rarely meet, yet are deeply connected.

:: IN FOCUS

BEATIE WOLFE

MUSICAL WEIRDO & VISIONARY (Vice) Beatie Wolfe has beamed her music into space, been appointed a UN role model for innovation, and held a solo exhibition of her ‘world first’ designs at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. VIEW PROFILE

HATIS NOIT

A Japanese vocal performer hailing from Shiretoko in Hokkaido, and now based in London. Hatis Noit takes her name from Japanese folklore, meaning the stem of the lotus flower, which connects the living and the spirit worlds. VIEW PROFILE

ILĀ

London-based artist, producer, and vocalist. ILĀ operates at the intersection of quantum systems, AI, and human voice crafting immersive sonic worlds that question identity, technology, and liberation. VEW PROFILE

» VIEW ALL CONTRIBUTORS :: LONDON 2025

:: 2025 MOMENTS

HATIS NOIT
THE BARBICAN CENTRE
People sitting attentively in a dimly lit theater
BEATIE WOLFE
Four women are seated on a stage with a red carpet, participating in a panel discussion. Three are holding microphones, and one is listening. There are water pitchers and glasses on a small table between the second and third women. Audio equipment an
A woman playing the violin on stage with a laptop and music equipment, background featuring a large screen with a mountain landscape
An indoor stage event with four panelists seated on stage, a large screen displaying text about music frequencies, with an audience seated in a darkened auditorium.
A man speaking on stage at a conference titled 'The Future is Sound' at The Barbican Centre London. There are four chairs on stage, a small table with water bottles, and a large screen displaying event details.
Three women participating in a panel discussion on stage, sitting in chairs with a dark background and a red carpeted floor.
Audience sitting in a dark theater watching a performance or film with focused expressions.
AI-DA ROBOT
A woman with long curly red hair singing into a microphone on stage at a conference with a large screen behind her displaying the words 'The Future of the Artist' and 'Performance Portal'.
A panel discussion on a stage with four women, one standing and speaking into a microphone, and three sitting in chairs. The background features a large screen with abstract art or graphics.
THE POWER OF MUSIC - WHERE NEXT? Featuring Beatie Wolfe, Tom Middleton, and Sandra Schembri, moderated by Julie Blore-Bizot
A woman in a blue dress speaking into a microphone on stage, with a screen behind her displaying text about an event at the Bubgcuban Center happening on Friday, November 7.
A young man with dark, wavy hair, wearing a black jacket and black shirt, speaking into a microphone on stage with red curtains in the background.
The word 'TAKKOUK' in large white letters on a background of an abstract red and purple landscape with trees at the bottom.
A woman on stage speaking into a microphone at an event called 'The Future is Sound' on November 7, 2025, at The Barbican Centre in London. The stage has four chairs and a small table, with a large screen displaying event details and logos of LaCoust
A woman playing the violin on stage, with a large screen displaying an abstract background behind her.
Three people sitting on chairs on stage in discussion, two women and one man, with a black background and red curtains.
A panel discussion with four people sitting on chairs on a stage, holding microphones, with dark background and red curtains.
BEATIE WOLFE
Earth from space with overlaid text stating "Doomsday is cancelled" and information about climate change and environmental awareness.
RACHEL GRACE ALMEIDA
The Future is Sound: 'One City, One Frequency - London's Sonic Past, Present & Future' Featuring Kate Simko, Rufy Ghazi, Quentin Chambers, moderated by Kate Hutchinson.
Dr.Martha Newson
TOM MIDDLETON
HATIS NOIT
KATE SIMKO
ROSCOE WILLIAMSON
'RESHAPING CULTURE: WHEN MUSIC MOVES PEOPLE, POWER & PLACE' Featuring Cathy Runciman, Rachel Grace Almeida, Emma Bartholomew, Keri Perkins, and moderator Finlay Johnson.
ILĀ is a British multifaceted artist, producer, and vocalist creating immersive sonic worlds that blend quantum computer music, AI, and the human voice to explore identity and liberation
HATIS NOIT
SAM LEE ARTIST
Violeta Vicci
THE FUTURE IS SOUND 2025
HALINA RICE
ILĀ is a British multifaceted artist, producer, and vocalist creating immersive sonic worlds that blend quantum computer music, AI, and the human voice to explore identity and liberation
MARTHA NEWSON
ILĀ is a British multifaceted artist, producer, and vocalist creating immersive sonic worlds that blend quantum computer music, AI, and the human voice to explore identity and liberation
MiMU Gloves
MiMU Gloves.
FARAH NANJI
THE BARBICAN CENTRE LONDON
THE FUTURE IS SOUND 2025 - THE BARBICAN CENTRE LONDON
Panel discussion with five women sitting on stage in front of a large blue screen, the woman on the far left holding a microphone with an orange foam cover, all dressed casually, on a red carpeted stage with red curtains on the right.
A woman wearing glasses and a patterned jacket is sitting on a chair, holding a microphone.
Panel discussion at a conference with five speakers sitting on chairs and one standing on stage, a large screen displaying the event title and moderator's name, red carpeted stage, and audience members visible.
Close-up of a wall with the word 'barclays.com' written vertically in large, white letters.