Aphex Twin, Javier Alvarez, Graham Fitkin, Fourtet, Michael Gordon, Jamiroquai, Kraftwerk, Matmos, Gabriel Prokofiev, The Police, Steve Reich, Nana Vasconcelos, Iannis Xenakis.
Bringing together some of the most dynamic young British artists, Powerplant explores hi-octane percussion-led music with an electronic sound and strong visual performance. Led by percussionist Joby Burgess, the group has given sell out performances at The Purcell Room, Oxford Contemporary Music, Aldeburgh Festival, Corsham Festival and was one of the few ensembles to perform at Steve Reich's Barbican birthday celebrations 'Phases', in 2006.
At the heart of the Powerplant sound is the percussion and live electronics duo of percussion virtuoso, Joby Burgess and sound designer, Matthew Fairclough. Coupled with specially created film, vintage computer imagery and live visuals from Bristol based visual artist Kathy Hinde, the trio has created an experimental and challenging repertoire fusing seminal percussion works alongside their own work, improvisations, commissioned material and a new version of Steve Reich’s hypnotic ‘Electric Counterpoint’ for xylosynth.
Powerplant’s set of classic electronica from pioneering dance masters Kraftwerk was arranged in-conjunction with composer, Ben Foster (Torchwood/Doctor Who) and features the innovative Elysian Quartet in a heady mix of of virtuosic drumming, live-sampling, lush strings, stunning visuals and a little 80’s chic.
From September 2006 until June 2007, Powerplant worked on an ‘Item’ research grant from the Arts council of England hosted by FACT ‘The Foundation for Arts & Creative Technology’, in Liverpool. As a result of this work looking at creating new material and forming new collaborations, Powerplant will premiere a commission from Graham Fitkin in November 2008.
One of Britain's most diverse percussionists, Joby is best known for his work performing new music. He regularly collaborates with artists such as Stewart Copeland, Joanna MacGregor, Nitin Sawhney, John Kenny, James Wood, Michael Finnissy and Sarah Leonard, as well as being a member of Britain's leading percussion quartet, ensemblebash. Joby's own projects explore his passions for virtuosic drumming, movement and electronics; and as a soloist he has performed and broadcast across the UK, Europe and beyond. Here is a few of the words, the papers have said so far ...
'No strangers to the weirder reaches of electronica, the steely Teutonic shimmies of Kraftwerk at their best take on a whole new dimension in such capable hands.' The Metro, London
'Electric Counterpoint had a slouching, sun-filled energy; like a sudden breath of California from this quintessential New York composer.' The Daily Telegraph
‘Against a backdrop of taped fuzz and Latin American effects, and with a sense of dramatic ritual, Burgess improvised rhythms one would not have thought possible on the grain-filled lollipops.’ London Evening Standard
‘They open with Javier Alvarez’s ‘Temazcal’, mixing chitinous electronics that sound like Lovecraftian tentacles clawing at shale beaches, with live rhythms from a single pair of maracas, played with jaw-dropping precision. ‘Carbon Copy’ loops sounds from improvisations on a Brazilian berimbau, and overlays them with stabbing percussion, ending up sounding uncannily like a drum & bass remix of Aphex Twin’s classic ‘Digeridoo’. Even better is Burgess’ performance of Steve Reich’s ‘Electric Counterpoint’ using vintage synthesiser tones instead of guitar, Powerplant remind us just how much electronic club music has borrowed from Reich over the past twenty years. Possibly the best performance we’ve seen this year.’
Nightshift, Oxford
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Come and see Powerplant featuring the Elysian Quartet when they play at the Bluecoat on Wed 26 March (8.00pm)!
Liverpool's oldest arts centre is re-opening this weekend after a 3 year refurbishment which includes a shiny new wing of galleries and performance spaces.
Many thanks for the ADD guys, fantastic stuff, will pop up to Colchester if i can. Joby, you may encounter one of my scores soon, any probs with it give me a shout,
Balinese Ceremonial Music – Colin McPhee Double Music – John Cage/Lou Harrison Ostinato Pianissimo – Henry Cowell Gamelan and Jhala – Alan Hovhaness Piano Phase – Steve Reich Fifth Simfony – Lou Harrison Kantilan Karangan – Charlie Barber Piano Phase + Clapping Music – Steve Reich
Semra Kurutaç - piano Kate Halsall - piano Hugh Wilkinson - percussion Dave Danford - percussion Gareth Hamlin - percussion Nick Baron - percussion
Sun 17.02.08 LLANTWIT MAJOR St Donats Arts Centre, Tythe Barn 7.30pm 01446 799 100
Tue 19.02.08 CARDIFF St Davids Hall (Level 3 event) 7.30pm 029 2087 8444
Thu 21.02.08 CARMARTHEN Trinity College 7.30pm 01267 676 685
Sat 23.02.08 HOLYHEAD Ucheldre Centre 7.30pm 01407 763 361
Sun 24.02.08 MANCHESTER Royal Northern College of Music 7pm 0161 907 5555
Sat 01.03.08 MOLD Clwyd Theatr Cymru 8pm 0845 330 3565
Thanks for the request guy's. Love the music, especially the Reich piece. Would love to have cought you at the Southampton gig, but I'm alreday booked taht night. Hope it all goes well.
Hi PowerPlant! How are you doing? I wanted to ask you why you disabled the "add song" function on your player... It's just that I would love to have your version of Electric Counterpoint on my page sometimes... Maybe it could even help you to find new fans.
thought i'd drop by again, really like your work, Javier Alvarez has always been a favourite of mine too, especially mambo a la braque, which is funny as well as clever? will try to come to c u on feb 1st
