Article Contributed by Pitch Perfect PR
Published on 2026-04-08
Constellation Performing Arts announces the return of Sound & Gravity, taking place September 3-6, 2026 across several venues in the vibrant Bricktown / Avondale area of Chicago. After an “intimate and electric” (Chicago Magazine) inaugural run last year, the festival returns with a lineup of over 50 artists, including Grouper, Son Lux, Lee Ranaldo & Leah Singer, Contre Jour, Marc Ribot, Hailu Mergia, American Analog Set, Alabaster DePlume, Lucrecia Dalt, Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas, Mary Halvorson & Sylvie Courvoisier, and many more.
Sound & Gravity is a unique adventure for music enthusiasts, an immersive experience showcasing a diverse range of musical genres, including jazz, experimental, contemporary classical, and indie music, reflecting the eclectic programming ethos of its organizing entity, Constellation Performing Arts.
The 2026 edition takes place once again at beloved Chicago venues Constellation, Hungry Brain, Judson & Moore, Beat Kitchen, Guild Row, Athenaeum Center, and Rockwell on the River, all in Chicago’s Bricktown/Avondale neighborhoods, known for its burgeoning creative industries. Capitalizing on the neighborhood's walkability with most venues a 5-15 minute walk from each other, Sound & Gravity offers attendees the opportunity to experience the local culture during four days of cutting-edge performances. As Downbeat praises, “this is not simply a celebration of the local scene; there’s a formidable contingent of performers from four continents.”
Sound & Gravity also serves as a fundraiser for Constellation Performing Arts, a not-for-profit organization that has become a cornerstone of Chicago’s forward-thinking music scene. Founded in 2013 by musician and presenter Mike Reed, Constellation has become a hub for innovative musical practices. Since its inception, Constellation has filled a crucial void in Chicago’s cultural landscape by providing a reliable, high-end performance platform for avant-garde and experimental music. Sound & Gravity extends this mission, offering a concentrated dose of the venue’s innovative spirit across multiple locations in one of the city’s most creative neighborhoods.
Of the festival, Reed says: “watching Sound & Gravity come to life across Chicago’s small rooms last year was a reminder of why we started this in the first place: to give adventurous music the same care and visibility that big festivals reserve for safer choices. Bolstered by visitors from 34 states and 6 different countries, we’re doubling down on the idea and presenting artists who are genuinely expanding what music can be.”
Tickets are now available, and can be purchased here. Ticket options include an all-event four-day pass at $240, a single-day pass at $85, and a Thursday opening night pass at $50. After purchasing a festival or day pass, pass-holders will receive an email invitation to “Create Your Festival Experience,” where festival-goers can select which shows they are most interested in. While not guaranteed, responses will help the festival plan to make space according to their selections.
Additionally, a limited number of individual show/venue tickets will be on sale from Thursday, July 16th leading up to the festival. This is dependent on availability after pass-holder demand is assessed.
Sound & Gravity 2026 Lineup:
