Avant-garde saxophonist & multireedist Colin Stetson returns to Ottawa for an intimate performance at St. Albans Church, joined by sound artist FUJI||||||||||TA

Avant-garde saxophonist & multireedist Colin Stetson returns to Ottawa for an intimate performance at St. Albans Church, joined by sound artist FUJI||||||||||TA

Multidisciplinary artist Annie-Claude Deschênes combines experimental music and performance art in a unique performance at Club SAW

Since her time as 1/2 of Hype Williams, the stoner dub project she formed with Dean Blunt, the persona of Lolina (UK/EE) has always been a mystery. Come find out at her Ottawa debut with Hamilton’s Man Made Hill and Please, and local artist Jules Filmhouse. Recommended if you like Suicide, Prophet, trip hop, experimental hip hop.

Laylit is a platform and collective celebrating music and artists from the Arab/SWANA region and its diaspora. Over the last four years their dance parties in New York City and Montreal have carved out an unmatched place in North American nightlife, becoming an anticipated social gathering and unique musical experience.

Topique, a forum for idea and knowledge exchange at Pique festival, returns this spring with three days of artist talks, workshops, and more. Taking place March 8-10, 2024 at the Arts Court around Pique festival programming, Topique invites attendees to dig deeper into the ideas and processes behind its artists’ groundbreaking work, exploring a range of topics including digital and analogue production techniques, mindful listening, womanhood and representation, and accessible improvisation.

Pique is back with the spring edition opener of its 2024 season bringing groundbreaking international and Canadian artists to the Arts Court in downtown Ottawa. For the first time, Pique will present a multi-day edition of its acclaimed music and art festival series happening on March 8–10, 2024. Transforming the Arts Court into a dynamic venue-wide celebration, Pique is a seasonal showcase of underground and avant-garde performance, visual art, and more.

Laylit is a platform and collective celebrating music and artists from the Arab/SWANA region and its diaspora. Over the last four years their dance parties in New York City and Montreal have carved out an unmatched place in North American nightlife, becoming an anticipated social gathering and unique musical experience.

2nd show in a double bill of dynamic live collaborations, featuring DJ'ing by Queenyy and live percussion by Chady Tam-Tam

A tender winter concert featuring Siaka Diabaté (kora) and Raphael Weinroth-Browne (cello) with support from singer-songwriter Mars Aspen

December 9, 2023 marks the return of Pique winter edition, as it once again transforms the Arts Court into a vibrant hub for its renowned building-wide celebration, spotlighting underground and avant-garde music and art from across Turtle Island. Pique promises to be a destination for uncovering groundbreaking and future-oriented artists.

On November 3, opponents of the Ford government’s controversial plan to build a prison in Kemptville, Ontario are joining forces with Mohawk community leader and singer-songwriter Logan Staats to host a benefit concert in Ottawa at the Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre (CDCC), presented by the Coalition against the Proposed Prison (CAPP) with co-presentation from Debaser.

A touring showcase of music and video works from Indonesia represented by the Yes No Wave music label run by the interdisciplinary artist and producer Wok the Rock, co-curated by Aki Onda.

The 5-year anniversary celebration of Laylit, a party series celebrating music and artists from the Arab/SWANA region and its diaspora, featuring Saliah (UK), Loosey Lou (Ottawa), Nadim Maghzal (Mtl) and MNSA (Mtl).

Debaser descends on Pop Montreal for a showcase featuring old favourites and new obsessions: Ombiigizi, Pony Girl, blackwinterwells and Magella.

Pique fall edition collides with the Ottawa International Animation Festival for the multidisciplinary art party of the season

Free outdoor concert of local music co-programmed by Debaser and DAÏMÔN for Radio Hull festival.

Free outdoor concert of local music co-programmed by Debaser and DAÏMÔN for Radio Hull festival.

The return of Laylit, a party series celebrating music and artists from the Arab/SWANA region and its diaspora, featuring DJs Hiba Salameh, Wake Island (MNSA and Nadim Maghzal) and Loosey Lou.

Radiant songwriting force Julie Doiron returns to Ottawa to perform as a duo at St Albans, joined by local songwriters Modeville and Mukazi.

Prodigious Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar boldly reforges contemporary Saharan music. Don't miss this rare and intimate acoustic performance.

The return of Laylit, a party series celebrating music and artists from the Arab/SWANA region and its diaspora, featuring DJs Hiba Salameh, Wake Island (MNSA and Nadim Maghzal) and Loosey Lou.

Pique is back with its largest edition yet! Join us for a joint-birthday bash to celebrate Debaser's 10th anniversary and SAW's 50th anniversary with groundbreaking performances, art exhibitions, screenings, workshops, and more

An annual celebration of drone, community, and experimental noise that stretches around the world.

Experimental Hip-Hop, Dance & R&B music from three visionary musicians from Montreal, Waterloo and Ottawa.

Harmonic guitar riffs, deep danceable grooves, pop experiments and raw vulnerability

The 2023 season premiere of Pique brings cultural multi-hyphenate and pop star Vivek Shraya, avant-garde Pow Wow singer Joe Rainey, experimental vocal and saxophone duo Amirtha Kidambi & Darius Jones, rap supergroup No Tourists, and many more to the Arts Court for its quarterly building-wide art party on March 11, 2023.

An all-star cast of sonic brutarians in a no-holds-barred survey of Lunch's musical output from 1977 to the present, performed by Lydia Lunch, Weasel Walter, Tim Dahl, Kevin Shea. Including music from 8 Eyed Spy, Queen of Siam, 1313, Big Sexy Noise and Shotgun Wedding. With support from KAY-Fayb (Pierre-Luc Clément and Yolande Laroche with Linsey Wellman).

Presented in collaboration with Congrego and Also Cool, Palingenesis brings you more than a dozen musical and multimedia artists for a deep-winter church takeover at All Saints Event Space.

Pique is back again bringing visionary, artist-driven programming to the Arts Court and the Ottawa Art Gallery on December 10th, 2022. Featuring Cartel Madras, Pantayo x Marisa Gallemit, JJJJJerome Ellis, Laylit, Lia Kloud, Markus Floats and more

Topique is a symposium for the exchange of ideas in music and art, presented as part of the forward-thinking, artist-driven festival series Pique. At the winter edition on December 10, the Topique program will gather cultural leaders and emergent voices to offer new ideas, alternative models, and radical approaches in the music industry, contemporary art and performance practices.

Sticky sweet dance party with DJs Mama Shu and Seiiizi, featuring drag performances by Kimmy Couture and Makayla Couture.

C ome out to celebrate the launch of Pony Girl's newest album 'Enny One Wil Love You' out on Paper Bag Records on 14.10.2022, with a special performance by guest Eve Parker Finley!

Horrorcore/hip-hop/industrial artist & producer Backwash (Montreal) is back at Club SAW with a special performance by Jodie Jodie Roger (Toronto).

An evening of sound art and avant-garde electronics with Thomas Ankersmit (Berlin), Jessica Ekomane (Berlin) and GOLPESAR (Montreal).

POP Montréal & Debaser present: Tiger Balme + R. Flex + Kee Avil + Magbeta

Pique is back with a new twist; this time Debaser, Ottawa’s leading independent and underground presenter, is joining forces with the Ottawa International Animation Festival to bring innovative, artist-driven programming to the Arts Court on Sept 24th, 2022 as part of the Animation Festival’s yearly NightOwl party.

Eliza Niemi and her band play selections from her recently-released debut full length “Staying Mellow Blows” and 2020 EP "Glass"

Neo-psychedelic dream pop that is simultaneously melodic and experimental

Unfortunately due to reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this show is CANCELLED. We do not currently have plans to reschedule this event, but please follow us here and on social media (Instagram | Facebook | Twitter) for any further updates.

Side by Side Weekend is back!! And Debaser is co-presenting an AMAZING bill on July 30th in Club SAW: Boyhood, Kicksie, Jazz Dads & Backseat Dragon!!!

The show is ALL AGES & wheelchair accessible.

Join us for a very special live performance by Pantayo with original stage and costume design by Marisa Gallemit, and performances by special guest Kimmy Couture.

Join us for a very special evening with pop, art rock, mutant disco outfit Jane Inc., local indie folk pop artist Akeem Oh, and local bedroom pop artist FIAMMA on Saturday May 14th at Club SAW.

A psych pop, fuzzy shoegaze and indie folk rock dream bill descends on Ottawa, April 8 at Happy Goat

"...a masterful musical interpreter, transforming long-past art into present-tense vision." (Pitchfork) Ottawa-born, Montreal-based songwriter and intérprete Myriam Gendron performs at Happy Goat roaster with special guests Juliana LaChance and Modeville.

Co-presented with Axé World Fest’s Women in Music and Arts conference, this panel brings together artists and presenters to discuss the value of programming that centres diversity and inclusion.

2022 season opener edition of the forward-thinking, artist-driven quarterly event series Pique, produced by Debaser.