Festival Season

It is with an appropriately overwhelmed sense of eclecticism that I write to report on the festivals that 8th Circle has been working on this summer.

Manchester International Festival

In its second year, and nearly over as I write, the festival has brought a smattering of pretty much everything to Manchester. We’ve had opera, ballet, classical music in a stunning acoustic and the obligatory processions and general merriment.

This year, I worked on a show called It Felt Like A Kiss, a “psycho-political theme experience” set over 5 floors of derelict office space in central Manchester – a pleasure to work on. The festival is returning in another 2 years.

Risør Kammermusikkfest, Norway

Set in the wonderfully picturesque harbour-town of Risør, the chamber music festival was themed around Revolution – that is, it featured works by revolutionary composers (Beethoven was central to the programme), or composers who lived in the thick of a cultural or social revolution. The concert I worked on was called Pictures Reframed. More info here.

It was an incredible experience, not only because of the rich concentration of such high calibre musicians, but because of the refreshing local culture. The locals in Risør were so accomodating, friendly and trusting (one restaurateur allowed me to leave the premises to get cash after they failed to take my card, and a local resident freely told me her pin number as I assisted her in using the cash machine, without thinking twice!) A beautiful place, a great festival and I hope to go back again one day.

Rochdale Feel Good Festival

Held over one weekend in Rochdale, this festival fits snugly into the theme of eclecticism. I took care of two events over the weekend, both of which were of outstanding quality in musicianship and entertainment value. The first show was made up of fine folk musicians, featuring Nancy Wallace, Will Tang, The Random Family and John Smith. I have never heard an audience go so quiet so quickly (in a good way) as they did when John began his set with an acapella vocal.

The second event I engineered was an evening of avant garde, experimental, modern classical music by Nonclassical artists. Really intriguing, beautiful, devastating pieces. These chaps are based in London, but will hopefully make a return to the north in the near future.

That’s all so far – next month, 8th Circle Audio is at the Edinburgh Fringe working with Show + Tell and Hartshorn – Hook on a number of shows. Updates and photos to follow over the coming weeks.