The Southbank Centre announces experimental series of performances
The Southbank Centre has announced a brand new set of performances as part of an experimental series.
The Purcell Sessions were launched to allow curious audiences to witness artists explore new creative frontiers, including bold audio-visual installations, giving a first-look at new material, or developing multimedia collaborations across music, dance, visual art and the spoken word.
The new sessions include a new album performance from Martha Skye Murphy, works-in-progress from Soumik Datta and Secretsundaze, and a long durational improvisation from the band caroline.
Purcell Sessions will also play host to the UK debut performance from Isobel Waller-Bridge, as well as Ayanna Witter-Johnson who will explore the rich musical legacy of her Jamaican heritage.
The London Contemporary Orchestra will perform debut collaborations with pianist and composer Roger Eno, Australian ethereal soundscaper Penelope Trappes and Japanese producer Hinako Omori.
As part of their Then & Now concert, the London Sinfonietta will perform two world premieres from composers Luke Lewis using speech transcription software and Alicia Jane Turner with theatrical immersive staging.
The Arditti Quartet will perform three UK premieres as part of SoundState Festival including a new commission by Tansy Davies.
The 2022 line-up also includes the return of Out-Spoken – London’s monthly premiere evening of poetry and music, dedicated to showcasing emerging multidisciplinary artists alongside established names, including poets Holly Pester, Fiona Benson, lisa luxx, Rishi Dastidar, Emily Berry and many more.
They join the already announced performers for 2022.
These include enigmatic electronic producer Iglooghost, an audio-visual collaboration on the meaning of water from musician Nabihah Iqbal and visual artist Libby Heaney, and São Paulo-raised electronic musician Laima
Singaporean ethereal-pop artist yeule and south London singer-producer Jamie Isaac are also set to perform.
Since launching in September with a Sarah Davachi x London Contemporary Orchestra collaboration, highlights from Purcell Sessions so far have included spellbinding futuristic folk from Lyra Pramuk and a collaboration between Sri Lankan producer Gnarly and Irish Indian poet Nikita Gill.
Bengi Ünsal, Head of Contemporary Music at the Southbank Centre, said: “We’ve had a fantastic response to the inaugural Purcell Sessions from audiences who have witnessed artists explore new creative territories, experiment with innovative ideas on stage and forge cross-genre collaborations with fellow performers.
“This second wave of artists continue to represent today’s most adventurous and ambitious talent, with one-off events that showcase creative freedom.
“From Isobel Waller-Bridge to Martha Skye Murphy, there are sure to be some stand-out cultural moments for 2022.”
Tickets for the newly added performances are on sale now.