The Mechanical Orchestra
Backed by the Arts Council, Arcadia developed a bespoke performance that debuted on its iconic ‘Spider’ stage in 2016.
The concept was based on the evolution of sound and music – in three stages, from our ancestral tribal roots of drum circles and fire pits, through to folk and celtic dance traditions, into modern electronic music.
The 20-minute performance utilised a 21-piece drumming troupe that walked amongst the crowd, three arial violinists that were suspended on cranes, and a full live 6-piece band that performed on the spider. In true Arcadia style, the show was backed visually by time coded pyrotechnics, projection mapping, lasers and more.
My roles –
- Musical director
- Music Composer, producer and mix engineer
- Band leader & guitarist
Working alongside and collaborating with:
- Creative Director
- Technical Director
- Choreographer
- Lighting designer
- Mastering engineer
- Front of house engineers
- Safety team
Responsibilites
- Develop an engaging, emotive score that appealed to the dancefloor whilst backing up the narrative concept
- Sourcing musicians, arranging their parts and co-ordinating recording sessions.
- Organising off site and on site rehearsals
- Working with technical team to ensure musicians could perform to their full ability around choreographed routines
- Adapting to fast paced and high pressure deadlines alongside multiple creatives
- Deliver the full 20-minute show audio from draft concept through to final mix