Music / alternative
More than music: Enchant ceremony will sow seeds for the future
An event at the Mount Without will hark back to its historic origins when the former church hosts an immersive ceremony that includes music, poetry, guided visioning and choral sound-bathing.
A Christian worship site since the 12th century, the venue is no stranger to spiritual gatherings though the event taking place on March 31 will adopt a different form to the traditional ceremonies of yore.
Calling itself an ‘urgent ritual for renewal’, the Enchant show has been designed to combat the ‘age of despair’ and manifest hope through shared creativity.
Pete the Temp will be joined by his Vibe Mechanics and a 70-piece choir for this evening of enchantment – photo: Pete Bearder
Promising throbbing basslines, spoken word and surround-sound music while retaining a degree of enticing mystery, the event asks “What if performance could be a spell? What if a gathering could be a turning?”
At its heart is the launch of performance artist Pete the Temp’s latest poetry collection, augmented with sounds from his band the Vibe Mechanics.
Bristol-based musician, comic, poet and performance artist Pete the Temp has performed at festivals around the country and held his album launch at Lost Horizon in 2024 – photo: Pete Bearder
The musicians are joined by the Murmuration Choir, a 70-voice strong contemporary music ensemble led by composer Isolde Lachlan with an intention to harness the transformative power of music and the voice as a vital tool for positive social change.
“A response to the despair, devastation and disconnection of our times, Enchant is a creative and revolutionary act of reconnection, said Pete. “Together we shall sow the seeds for the future our hearts long for.”
It’s another opportunity to catch the Murmuration Choir in the magnificent surroundings of the Mount Without – photo: Murmuration Choir
Also collaborating in the evening is CoResist, a collective of artists, activists and educators which has been operating for over 14 years across the realms of transformative arts, experimental and immersive theatre, participatory ceremony and social sculpture.
Presented as a participatory event, as well as enjoying the feast of music, spoken word and theatre on offer audiences are encouraged to attend with an open mind and to be ready to throw themselves into events as they unfold.
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Enchant takes place at the Mount Without on March 31. Find all information and tickets at headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/the-mount-without/tue-31-mar-enchant
Main image: Pete Bearder
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