Long Play

“Already the most important classical music festival in New York City”
—The New York Times

Bang on a Can once again takes over downtown Brooklyn with Long Play, a three-day destination music festival happening Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 4. This extraordinary assemblage of musical talent features 50+ concerts at venues throughout Brooklyn, including BAM, BRIC, Roulette, Pioneer Works, Issue Project Room, The Space at Irondale, Public Records, and more.

Long Play offerings at BAM include an evening with composer and pianist Max Richter with the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House on Saturday, May 3, and free performances by Sara Serpa, Marta Sanchez, Qasim Naqvi, and Greg Ward; The Narcotix; and Nour Harkati in The Adam Space (BAMcafe) on Sunday, May 4.

Elsewhere, Long Play 2025 highlights include a 90th birthday celebration of pioneering minimalist Terry Riley featuring guitar legend Pete Townshend and the Bang on a Can All-Stars; Kim Gordon; Anthony Braxton’s Composition No. 19 for 100 tubas; the world premiere of Henry Threadgill’s Listen Ship; Ensemble Signal playing David Lang and Julia Wolfe; Mary Halvorson + Bill Frisell duo; Australia’s Ensemble Offspring playing a world premiere by composer Kate Moore; and so much more.

Learn more at longplayfestival.org.

ON SALE DATES
Mon, Mar 3

TICKET INFO
Concerts in The Adam Space
FREE
Admission is free, first come first-served.

Max Richter
Tickets start at $35

Please note: All online orders are subject to a $2 facility fee and $7.50 handling fee per ticket; all orders at the box office are subject to a $2 facility fee per ticket.

All performances will adhere to protocols developed in accordance with New York State regulations and in consultation with medical professionals for the safety of our artists, audiences, and staff.

Leadership support for
BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:

Mellon Foundation

Leadership support for
BAM Access Programs provided by
the Jerome L. Greene Foundation

JL Greene

Leadership support for
BAM programming provided by:

Howard Gilman

Leadership support for
Winter/Spring 2025 provided by:

Ford Foundation

Leadership support for
BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:

Altman Foundation

Explore the series

Max Richter

One of the most prodigious figures on the contemporary music scene, Max Richter has captivated listeners around the world with his groundbreaking work as a composer, pianist, producer, and collaborator. At BAM, Richter reunites with the New York-based American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME), his longtime collaborators, to perform two landmark albums: The Blue Notebooks, his stunning 2004 concept album based on writings by Franz Kafka, and In A Landscape, his ninth and newest release.
Sara Serpa, Marta Sanchez, Greg Ward & Qasim Naqvi

Four creative composer-performers from around the world converge at BAM for a special summit meeting. Portuguese vocal improviser Sara Serpa has explored using the voice as an instrument in her own work, and in projects with luminaries like Danilo Pérez and Ran Blake. Spanish pianist Marta Sánchez has gained significant recognition as a bandleader and alongside saxophonist David Murray. Saxophonist Greg Ward, born in Peoria, IL, has worked with such disparate acts as Prefuse 73, Lupe Fiasco, Tortoise, and William Parker. And Pakistani-American drummer and composer Qasim Naqvi, who made his initial splash as a founding member of acoustic trio Dawn of Midi, more recently has won attention and acclaim for his electronic works. When they all come together, the possibilities are boundless.
The Narcotix

Daughters of immigrants from Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, respectively, guitarist Esther Quansah and keyboardist Becky Foinchas met in an elementary school chorus class in Woodbridge, VA. They proceeded to soak up varied influences from choral symphonies, African wedding music, and math rock, distilling them through a unique lens. The songwriting duo subverts expectations through sound, investigating themes of meditation, esotericism, and surrealism in daily life to address existential questions about the innermost self.
Nour Harkati

Nour Harkati is a renowned Tunisian musician and singer-songwriter, known for his innovative blend of traditional North African music and contemporary influences. Mastering the ancient guembri and infusing his work with modern rhythms, Harkati crafts a unique sound that resonates deeply with diverse audiences. His lyrics combine philosophical depth with a jubilant spirit, making his music both introspective and uplifting.