Music / live music
Interactive gig experiment considers the future of live music
An upcoming gig at Strange Brew considers the question, what happens when a gig responds to the room in real-time?
Bristol-based creative studio Megaverse and indie-rock band Townhouses are joining forces to trial a new type of immersive, interactive gig in which visuals are generated in response to the band’s sound and movement.
The show, dubbed Is This the Future?, takes place on Saturday, February 28.
The crowd in the room will be joined by a global online audience that will be able to participate remotely by sending inputs that feed back into the reactive visuals.
“Our aim is to develop tools that allow artists to build responsive live experiences… without needing to code or rely on large-scale production infrastructures,” said John Ingle, founder of award winning studio Megaverse
The project explores how grassroots venues and emerging artists can use cutting edge technology usually reserved for largescale spaces like stadiums.
It is part of a national initiative supported by Music Venues Trust that is exploring how small grassroots venues can use high-end tech to increase audience excitement and, ultimately, revenues, without big budgets and specialised crews.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Alex Wander, Townhouses’ vocalist. “As the world evolves alongside technology, I think it’s important that the music industry can evolve too. This project would open up so many avenues to emerging artists like us.”
Now based in London, Townhouses grew out of Bristol’s DIY scene and blend classic rock, indie sleaze and psychedelia. They’re joined by special guests at the show on Friday
The gig takes place on February 28 at Strange Brew on a Pay What You Can basis: headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/strange-brew/sat-28-feb-megaverse-townhouses-is-this-the-future
All images: Megaverse
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