GLOBALFEST
MUSIC
globalFEST Returns to Lincoln Center: A Night to Hear the World
Maria Mazzotta, photo by Alessia Rollo; Saami Brothers featuring Ustad Naseeruddin Saami, photo by Simrah Farrukah; Raiatea Helm; Dilemastronauta y La Tripulación Cósmica; Dale Watson & His Lone Stars with Special Guest Celine Lee.
This Sunday, January 11, Lincoln Center Presents: globalFEST returns to Lincoln Center, once again transforming the venue into a meeting point for global sounds, traditions, and contemporary musical dialogue.
New York City. TMN® Editorial.
Now in its 23rd edition, globalFEST has established itself as one of New York City’s most important platforms for international music discovery—bringing together artists from across continents for a single night of exploration, connection, and cultural exchange.
What is globalFEST?
An annual festival dedicated to global and transnational music scenes
A launchpad for artists expanding their presence in the U.S. and beyond
A long-standing cultural initiative connecting audiences with music rooted in tradition and innovation
Since its founding, globalFEST has played a key role in introducing international artists to North American audiences, many of whom have gone on to tour major venues and festivals worldwide.
This Year’s Lineup Highlights
The 2026 edition features a wide range of sounds and backgrounds, reflecting the festival’s commitment to diversity and musical depth. Artists performing this year include:
Al-Qasar — Arab psychedelic rock with North African trance influences
Dale Watson & His Lone Stars (feat. Celine Lee) — Texas honky-tonk with classic outlaw spirit
David Rivera y La Bámbula — Afro-Puerto Rican bomba blended with Latin jazz
Insun Park & Generals — Korean traditional influences reimagined through rock
Maria Mazzotta — Vocal traditions from Southern Italy with Mediterranean and Balkan roots
Raiatea Helm — Contemporary Hawaiian music grounded in heritage
Vox Sambou — Haitian-Canadian hip-hop and Afro-diasporic rhythms
Saami Brothers feat. Ustad Naseeruddin Saami — Pakistani devotional music in a contemporary context
Together, the program spans Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Pacific—offering a rare opportunity to experience multiple musical worlds in one night.
Vopli Vidopliassova; The Naghash Ensemble, photo by David Galstyan; Nour Harkati; Insun Park & Generals, photo by Cell Kim; David Rivera & La Båmbula.
Why It Matters
At a time when global connections are often reduced to algorithms and headlines, globalFEST continues to do something essential: bring people together through live music, shared space, and cultural curiosity.
It’s not just about genres or geography—it’s about listening, exchange, and presence.
TMN on the Ground
This Sunday, TMN® will once again be on the ground for its third year covering globalFEST at Lincoln Center, continuing a multi-year editorial presence that has included on-site interviews with artists such as Paul Beaubrun, available to watch here.
Building on last year’s on-site reporting, TMN® returns to document one of New York City’s key global music gatherings, with a focus on live performance, cultural context, and artist perspectives.
You can revisit our past globalFEST coverage here.
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