Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Unknown Mortal Orchestra will perform on 22 March 2026 at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht. The project led by New Zealand guitarist and singer Ruban Nielson, now based in Portland, has for more than a decade moved effortlessly between psych-rock, lo-fi pop and soulful rhythms. From the self-titled debut (2011) UMO established its own voice with gritty guitars and filtered vocals; II (2013) refined the melodies, while Multi-Love (2015) broke the palette open with synths, funk and R&B influences. Sex & Food (2018) introduced a more compact, electric sound, complemented by the instrumental IC-01 Hanoi, where jazz and ambient seep in. On the double album V (2023) softer hues prevail, with soft rock and sounds that nod to the Pacific region.

Live, this translates to a tight line-up in which Nielson’s guitar and sense of groove set the course. Tight rhythms, warm analogue textures and songs that shift smoothly between fuzz, melancholic hooks and a laid-back flow characterise the set. Expect a cross-section of the catalogue, with room for detail and dynamics.