Meet the EXPERIMENTA 2026 artists
Photos: Alex Macdougall, Shekinah Babalola, courtesy of Jacob Samuel, Ganesha Lockhart Photography
Our EXPERIMENTA music creator residencies return for their second year. This year’s participants are Matt Tulloch, SCAPA (Stephanie Ewurama), Jacob Samuel and beyn-na-beyn (Lexy Morvaridi). From santoor to bodhrán, avant-garde dance-theatre to video game soundtracks, it’s an eclectic mix of practices and we’re just as excited to learn from them over the course of the programme.
Over the next six months, they’ll immerse themselves in contemporary classical sounds and push the boundaries of their practice with the support of our mentors: composer and singer Héloïse Werner, percussionist Beibei Wang and composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman. At the end of the residency in July 2026, they’ll share their works-in-progress at the White Hotel in Salford.
All of the music creators taking part in this edition are originally from or based in the North of England. Find out more about each artist…
Matt Tulloch
Photo: Rich James
Matt Tulloch is a producer, musician and artist working primarily with drums and saxophone, using these instruments as starting points to be bent and reshaped through analogue and digital technologies.
His practice explores rhythm, improvisation, and pushing production techniques into unpredictable territory, often using music as a tool, ritual or speculative technology. He is currently developing a project that examines the idea of composing music intended to improve agricultural growth.
“I wanted the time and space to test new ideas and collaborate with other artists working experimentally,” says Matt. “I hope to leave with a clearer understanding of my practice and greater confidence in the direction of my work.”
Instagram | Bandcamp | Apple Music
SCAPA (Stephanie Ewurama)
Photo: Shekinah Babalola
SCAPA is a Manchester-based DJ, producer, and immersive audio artist crafting a distinctive Afro-electro sound rooted in synth experimentation, sound design and West African influence.
Her production style is a mixture of playing arrangements and her own samples of synths, guitars, and voice memos, influenced by video game composition. Having performed at venues ranging from Tate Liverpool to renowned clubs like Hidden, supporting artists like Amaarae, Joy Orbison and Mall Grab, SCAPA is pushing to take her intricate sound into the live realm.
SCAPA said: “As someone who grew up studying classical music, I'm overjoyed to be able to work with musicians that excel in that realm, whilst reimagining my performance technique and ultimately showcasing what I can do as a composer.”
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Bandcamp | SoundCloud | Spotify
Jacob Samuel
Photo: courtesy of artist
Jacob Samuel is a musician, writer and director whose work looks at the relationship between spectacle, power and fantasy, asking what happens when fantasy fails.
They compose, install and create moving image work that embraces stark maximalism and failed attempts at containing everything. As co-founder of BULLYACHE, they merge avant-garde dance theatre and pop-cultural spectacle to create large-scale performance works described as live music videos for the stage.
“I'm developing Me Happiness Mother Father God Country Enemy Love Home. It's a film, music and installation work layering performed and simulated intimacy, violence and catastrophe. This residency gives time, conversation, community and the opportunity to work with some incredible musicians to further understand what this music is.”
beyn-na-beyn (Lexy Moravidi)
Photo: Joe Magowan
beyn-na-beyn (Lexy Morvaridi) is an artist, cultural programmer and DIY activist, whose work focuses on the intersection of identity and class-based politics.
They believe sound is a catalyst for social cohesion and collaboration. Working across multiple mediums to engage people in the creative process, they create thematic works that use traditional stringed instruments from their heritage and sounds from UK bass culture, to put grit in your mouth and wobble in your legs.
“It is a unique opportunity for DIY artists to engage with contemporary classical composition. I can't wait to collaborate and learn from so many diverse people across the residency.”