Cristina Marras on audio spy drama MANHUNT – XMTR Festival artist residency interview with Jude Montague for Hastings Online Times, September 2026 “To create a location-based narration that works, you must enter in sympathy into the place, feel its spirit, study the tiny street corners, the attitude of the people, the quirkiness, and, obviously… the history of the place… Manhunt is our love letter to St Leonards and to its people.”
Ruth Sullivan on her career in Foley – XMTR Festival artist interview with Jude Montague for Hastings Online Times, September 2026 “…it is only in recent years that I have fully begun to appreciate the artistry involved in prop manipulation and the nuance of sound... It’s become something I’m really passionate about.”
XMTR 2026 Preview by Jude Montague for The Hastings Independent Press, August 2026
Hannah Kemp-Welch on Natural Radio — XMTR Festival artist interview with Jude Montague for Hastings Online Times, August 2026 “This year I am running an Atmospheric Antennas workshop, introducing more people to the joy of natural radio listening and giving them the tools to continue exploring it themselves.”
Tony Birch on his tidal recording project The Pier Sings — XMTR Festival artist interview with Jude Montague for Hastings Online Times, August 2026 “Ever curious to find resonances in things, I started listening to the pier with geophones… (I) made a little sample based plugin synth called PierDrone which I’ll share during the festival.”
“Each act of the festival was fiercely individual (they) strive to provide a space to celebrate often isolated creative audio minds. The only disappointment here was too much to see and not enough time. Book early next year.”Jo Hutton for The Wire, December 2025
“A gathering of beautiful nerds, doing weird things with sound.” Lucy Dearlove’s Lecker Podcast Substack, October 2025
“In the festival’s second year, it grew from a small monoculture, to a four-times larger gathering, so everyone had a unique path.” Tom Roe’s XMTR adventures on Thee Radio Art Hour 002: Breaking the Waves, October 2025
Festival attendees feedback:
“This was one of the most creative and welcoming festivals I've been to for audiophiles! It's so rare to find a space to geek out on oral storytelling and sound in all its varied mediums, but I certainly found my people. I'll definitely be coming back next year!”
“This festival brings the heart and creative connections back into the sonic space. Bringing together artists from a wide range of genres and disciplines, the common thread is the joy of using sound to tell stories; to gather; to connect. Honestly made me want to drop everything and return full time to working on sound art.”
“XMTR Festival was a highlight of my audio year! The programme was packed full of engaging events and installations, and I met so many new, lovely people who are working to make the industry a better place to be. I can't wait till next year!”