DVRK MASS II Sonic Transformations {Ecosystems} – April 2025
Sonic Transformations
Venue: Off the Square, music venue, Northern Quarter, Manchester.
Music and Sonic Studies Manchester (MASSmcr) and the Dark ∀rts Research Kollective (DVRK) at Manchester Metropolitan University, presented a collaborative event, showcasing groundbreaking new music and sonic experiments with the launch of the MASSmcr sonic manifesto. We programmed this to coincide with the British Sociological Association (BSA) conference which is took place at the University of Manchester 23-25 April. The theme of the BSA conference for this year was Social Transformations. While societies are experiencing rapid social transformations which amplify conflict and dislocation, we engage with Sonic Transformations that highlight the interdependence of human culture, flora and fauna, social systems, mycelium networks and other worlds.
We were able to platform developing projects from several pioneering North West artists and members of our academic community (Lois MacDonald, Chris Gladstone, Katie Chatburn (LUDeC PGR), Rosie Middleton (RNCM PGR), Antony Hall, Caro C (Delia Derbyshire Day) and Maya Chowdhry) along with technical collaborator Simon East of FlowFal enabling audience participation. As well as representing innovative musical and sonic works, each performance explored the event’s broader theme {ecosystems}, drawing parallels with the BSA themes. [Budget allocated plus AHEAD funding]
- The evening was professionally filmed. All performances available via MASSmcr YouTube. Films can be used for creative/practice research portfolios.
- Eventbrite full event details: https://bit.ly/SonicTransformations
Selected Audience Feedback:
How would you describe your experience of the event?
“Very enjoyable, also I have never been to anything like it before.”
“Exploratory, engaging and surprising. It was really interesting to see how the boundaries of audience and performers was blurred.”
“Interesting, surprising, inclusive, friendly”
“An amazing sonic and visual experience – innovative, creative, talented people. Great atmosphere”
“Uplifting, full of joy and hope, reaffirming, positive!”
What stood out to you about the performance, themes, or intermissions?
“Expertly compered. The innovative use of voice, strange instrumentation (mushrooms!), the surround sound immersive experience.”
“Each presentation offered something fresh, whether it was a new way of thinking about music, a fascinating bit of research, or a performance that made you feel something unexpected”
“Audience participation in the construction and arrangement of the performance.”
“Loved the variety of what was shown and in particular the interactive first performance with the sonic wands. That was awesome to take part in!”
