Recap: Highlights from MOMO Festival 2025 in Rotterdam

ROTTERDAM, 20 April 2025 – Motel Mozaïque Festival marked its 25th anniversary with three days of experimental sounds, intimate shows and creative encounters. The city centre played host to an ever-shifting programme of music, performance and art.

Motel Mozaïque Festival transforms the city centre

Rotterdam’s city centre became a stage for artistic exploration from 17 to 19 April 2025, as Motel Mozaïque Festival (often shortened to MOMO Festival) marked its 25th anniversary. The event brought together music lovers, art enthusiasts and curious visitors for a multidisciplinary programme that encouraged openness and discovery.

Centred on the idea of a mosaic—where each piece is unique yet gains meaning through connection—the festival hosted a variety of performances, installations and gatherings across the city.

A blend of music, art and performance

Over the course of the festival, attendees encountered a wide range of performances, from large-scale concerts to quiet, reflective experiences. The Schouwburgplein hosted the two-day, free-access MOMO Playground, offering a casual entry point into the festival atmosphere. Meanwhile, children were introduced to culture and performance through the ‘My First MOMO’ programme.

The diverse line-up included acts spanning multiple genres and backgrounds. At venue Perron, British artist Antony Szmierek blended spoken word, hip-hop and house music in a tightly packed setting. Meanwhile, post-punk band Squid performed a high-energy set at Theater Rotterdam, delivering a dynamic mix of groove and intensity.

In contrast, folk musician Anna B Savage offered a quieter, more introspective experience in the Waalse Kerk, with vocals described as both powerful and tender. Soul and R&B artist Nectar Woode brought mellow rhythms and smooth melodies to the stage, while Kuduro performer Pongo concluded the event with a high-tempo set filled with movement and rhythm.

Recap: Highlights from MOMO Festival 2025 in Rotterdam

Exploring identity, healing and transformation

Themes of identity and healing were also central to the festival’s programme. The premiere of my sweet nasty lunacy by Hélène Vrijdag and the Bubbling Baby exhibition curated by Sharine Rijsenburg addressed sexual freedom and the politics of the body. Visitors who chose to stay overnight in the ‘Art Motel’ encountered immersive installations, including Playful Dreamscape, a sensory swing installation, and Gowtu Pretu, a musical journey rooted in Surinamese culture.

Composer Joep Beving, together with cellist Maarten Vos, created a meditative musical environment that explored physical and emotional spaces. Elsewhere, Kay Slice guided attendees through a sonic reflection on Afro-diasporic culture during an immersive listening session. The audiovisual residency The Liminal by Alaa Minawi gave visitors the chance to step inside an evolving artistic work.

Recap: Highlights from MOMO Festival 2025 in Rotterdam

MOMO Festival to return in April 2026

The next edition of Motel Mozaïque Festival is scheduled to take place from 16 to 18 April 2026. As in previous years, it is expected to bring together a wide network of artists and audiences, continuing to explore the intersection of music, performance, and visual art in the heart of Rotterdam.