Bracing up for a national, at the same time European project of this scope, including thousands of cultural festivities is no easy feat — certainly not for the flock of creative and organizational masterminds making it all happen, but neither, in spite of common belief, for audiences themselves. Perhaps contrary to (an outmoded) popular belief, audiences are, to us, all but passive. In fact, they’re as instrumental as anyone in bringing a concept, experience, or project to life. Ahead of the Esch2022 European Capital of Culture (ECOC) kick-off, our team has asked: “how can we work not for, but with the audience?”
Ludovico Einaudi is an Italian pianist and composer. He began his career as a classical composer. Later, he incorporated other styles and genres such as pop, rock, folk, and world music. However, no label can truly describe the magical sensitivity and energy of his compositions. Einaudi is truly unique and, in my humble opinion, attending one of his concerts is a life changing experience.
Well-known car manufacturer Jeep has announced the launch of a line of Jeep custom guitars in collaboration with Wallace Detroit Guitars along with musical duo the Detroit Dreamers. The announcement came on 17th September, with Martin Kierszenbaum of the Detroit Dreamers releasing a new track titled Dreamers specifically for the initiative of the new venture. […]
Iranian composer and musician Mehdi Rajabian is currently evading prison by creating a new album – the artist has previously served two years due to the Iranian government not approving of his music. In Iran, creating music is an incredibly complicated and multifaceted process for many reasons, not least because of strong censorship and lack […]
Since 2014, the Zurich Opera House opens every new season with the Opera for Everyone. The large Sechseläuten square in front of the picturesque opera house, right next to the lake, transforms into a festival ground. With thousands of spectators sitting on the ground, indulging on picnics and the opera performance which is broadcast live on a big screen from inside the opera house. Inside extends to outside and opera becomes accessible for all.
The Musicians’ Union and the TUC have pledged their support for those in Afghanistan, and have written a letter calling for the UK Government to provide safe, specific, and legal routes to safety for those who are facing the risk of persecution or attack. Expressing concern about the situation and the impact on musicians, music […]
After a long, dark year and a half, live theatre has begun to make its return to New York. Aaron Dalla Villa is one of many in the industry who is excited to return to normal. He plays Mordred in Bay Street Theater’s summer outdoor concert production of Camelot, in Sag Harbor, NY. Returning to […]
The Musicians’ Union is leading the campaign to fight the cuts that have been confirmed across the board in the UK’s higher education arts sector. The Office for Students (OfS) has confirmed that the catastrophic funding cut will go ahead despite the many MU members and other creatives, industry organisations, higher education institutions and trade unions who […]
In an exciting announcement, Eddie Vedder has announced the Ohana Encore festival will be returning to California in Autumn 2021. The Pearl Jam frontman’s festival lineup for the weekend has been revealed with tickets going on sale from 23rd July. Ohana Encore 2021 The festival will take place in Dana Point, California over 1st and […]
The Swiss theatre landscape is quite astounding and offers a myriad of entertainment for every taste. A small country, Switzerland surprises with the quantity and quality of all it has to offer. As you might have guessed, the country also has a long and rich theatre tradition. Basel, Bern, Geneva, and Zurich all have institutions with a name extending far beyond their boundaries.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s latest project as director for the musical film tick, tick… BOOM! has released an exciting trailer in anticipation of the film’s release which is due for this autumn. The film is the newest contribution in an impressive collection of recent works from the Hamilton creator.
The band Måneskin’s Eurovision-winning song Zitti E Buoni is the first song in Italian to reach the UK Top 20 in 29 years. The last Italian artist to achieve this was world renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti with Zucchero, who reached number 15 with Miserere back in 1992.
Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber has given an exclusive interview to The Telegraph, explaining his strong stance on the UK government’s promise to reopen the nation on 21st June. Giving new details and insight into his action saving theatres over the last year, Lloyd-Webber told his story and his fears for the future.
Msoke and I met many years ago when he was still known as Namusoke and had just begun making a name for himself as a musician in Switzerland. Never giving up on his dreams, Msoke evolved ever more over the years, as a man, a person, and as the great musician he is today.
An audio rider is essential to every gig. There can be a lot of confusion over what it should entail and how best to present the information, so here is how to make a clear, concise rider and the pitfalls to avoid. Much of this might seem obvious, but even people on arena tours make some of these mistakes. If you already know everything in this post, share it with your musician friends who don’t have an engineer yet so they can make great riders too.
In any normal year, early spring is when the staffing process begins for tours going out in the fall. You probably won’t have a contract in hand yet, but your resume has gone off to designers and production companies, or (if you’re currently on tour) you’ve had a conversation with your design team or production manager about the shows going into production, and what they might have in mind for you.
Irish musician Dr Úna Monaghan has published a research paper outlining the gender imbalance within the Irish traditional music scene. Belfast-based Monaghan is a musician, composer, sound engineer and academic and undertook the research while studying at Cambridge University. 121 Stories: The impact of gender on participation in Irish traditional music. The recently published paper’s […]
Bruce Reiter is a sound engineer who also works as a tour manager and production manager. For the last eleven years he has worked for the Heavy Metal band Five Finger Death Punch. Bruce shares his experiences in an industry he loves with us. He speaks about staying healthy on tour. About the importance of kindness in the music industry. About how we can learn from each other. And about how we have a responsibility to speak up if we see or hear things which are discriminating. Stand up for each other.
A pioneering concert in Barcelona took place on 27th March, as a means to better understand the coronavirus implications in large entertainment settings.
E’lyse Murray is the owner and manager of the boutique entertainment agency Elyse Group 7. This is another article in a series in which we highlight members of Roadies of Color United (R. O. C. U.). E’lyse Murray has more than three decades of experience in the music entertainment industry, in producing events, and in artist administration. In this interview she tells us about her work, her passion, and about not giving up no matter what obstacles you may find on your way.
Lou (Lodewijk Frederik) Ottens the Dutch inventor who created the cassette tape, and was integral to the development of the compact disc, has died aged 94. He pioneered various developments in audio, changing the industry standards of music in the 20th Century through the decades.
Daychia Sledge is a successful audio engineer. She has experience as a recording engineer in the studio, as a live sound engineer, and as a sound engineer for television. As part of an interview series with members of Roadies Of Color United (R. O. C. U.), this story in three parts focuses on Daychia. She tells us about her life and how amazing circumstances, great timing, hard work, grit, focus, and determination aided her in making her dreams come true. This is the last part pf Daychia’s inspiring career odyssey: Part 3.
Daychia Sledge is a successful audio engineer. She has experience as a recording engineer in the studio, as a live sound engineer, and as a sound engineer for television. As part of an interview series with members of Roadies Of Color United (R. O. C. U.), this story in three parts focuses on Daychia. She tells us about her life and how amazing circumstances, great timing, hard work, grit, focus, and determination aided her in making her dreams come true. This is Part 1 of 3.
David ‘5-1’ Norman is an incredibly versatile music industry veteran. Whatever you need done for a tour, he can do it. ‘5-1’ as he’s affectionately called, is a tour manager, tour director, production manager, and tour accountant. And if necessary, he will do it all at the same time as he’s been touring and doing events for over thirty-five years.
