I’m just getting back from the technical talks at the Lowry where we will perform our next show in June. An amazing place. Like the Southbank centre in London but then with proper color.

 

 

I was seriously under dressed speaking at the press launch (as usual). People make a real effort to look stylish here but unlike in a lot of other places their behavior doesn’t change. Really friendly and welcoming.
It’s a very young and enthusiastic team that runs the Lowry. From the technicians on the floor right up to the top. Something you don’t expect from such an established institution. We are especially impressed with Jonathan the project manager of Digitfest who has very similar ideas. I don’t think he really knows what we are going to do but everyone seems happy to let us potter on, which is great.

They have given us the Quays, one of their beautiful theatres although we will unfortunately loose the two upper balconies completely and the sides on the third because of the holographic set up. To compensate we might bring the audience onto the stage.
There are still issues where to place the speakers in order to avoid vibrations that would effect the screens… Yeah that’s right, some serious subwoofer action this time. No seating either. We don’t put any classical or opera songs in, no continuous story lines, characters or anything else that might give the audience an excuse to think they watch a performance. Instead a dancer and a few hundred 3D glasses coming over from China next week. An honest multimedia concert raving it up all all the way to some sick electro punk anthems. Not exactly your usual Video Installation!
I had a talk with an editor who was asking if they should send their music, art or performance critic to watch the show :)
I guess there will be a few job vacancies soon. If artists are able to work in all fields simultaneously, critics will have to up their game as well.

Which reminds me: We made a great effort to involve students in this production (music and visuals) Kate from Salford University is helping us to organise an informal Q&A session after the show. It will hopefully be a networking opportunity for local creatives and students who are interested in cross disciplinary work. We would love to plant the first seeds for some new Manchester groups. Everyone welcome!