We’re excited to share the details of the three ground-breaking performances that will be premiered this term featuring the emerging musicians, composers and artists as part of the University of Birmingham’s Sounding Change programme.
Azizi Cole presents Body Clock, a new work that combines music, movement and body percussion to reflect on the influence that music can have on the body. Using unison, syncopation and rhythmic techniques, this is a live music and physical dance experience. Azizi Cole is a percussionist and composer, who combines his experience in both music and dance to create work that is both a visual and audible experience. Body Clock is born out of a research project supported by Opera North. Catch the performance on Saturday 25 May at 7pm, at the Elgar Concert Hall at the University of Birmingham.
BEAST (Birmingham Electro-Acoustic Sound Theatre) takes its sound system on the road and joins forces with artist and musician Antonio Roberts to co-curate a night of electronic and experimental music and visuals at Centrala on Thursday 30 May at 7.30pm. The evening includes the premiere of a new audio-visual work by musician, sound designer and DJ Mwen, plus audio and visual performances by Antonio Roberts, Indira Lakshmi, Jim Osmon and okcandice.
BULLYACHE (Courtney Deyn and Jacob Samuel) choreograph, direct, score and conceptualise spectacular original works. For this performance they will be joined by famed drag queen and pianist Barbs and dancer Oscar Li, and new orchestral arrangements by Magnus Westwell, performed by the University of Birmingham String Ensemble, to present their unique mix of pop culture, classical text and opera. WHO HURT YOU? takes place outside Barbs home, where she lives with her two backing dancers and continues to perform her Vegas show to anyone who happens to pass by. Lost in a state of traumatised amnesia after a long run on the Blackpool pleasure beach strip, the performers-cum-directors exploit their trauma to its inevitable conclusion, each vying for the spotlight. A reality where physical space has broken down, the theatres have closed, no money is left, but people still drag themselves to perform, even if it’s in a car park. Their performance takes place on Saturday 8 June at 8pm, at the Elgar Concert Hall at the University of Birmingham.
Dr Annie Mahtani, Associate Professor of Music at University of Birmingham, is Principal Investigator of this research in practice project and comments, “We are so excited to announce this performance series as the culmination of the first year of the Sounding Change programme. Each artist has their own unique sound and performance style, and the University of Birmingham is pleased to support them in this pivotal moment in their careers.”
Tickets start at £5 for University of Birmingham student and staff, with discounts available if you book for multiple Sounding Change events. Get your tickets here:
Azizi Cole: https://www.quaytickets.com/uobboxoffice/en-GB/shows/body%20clock%20by%20azizi%20cole/events
Mwen: https://www.quaytickets.com/uobboxoffice/en-GB/shows/mwen%20x%20beast%20x%20antonio%20roberts/events
BULLYACHE: https://www.quaytickets.com/uobboxoffice/en-GB/shows/bullyache-%20who%20hurt%20you_/events