Exeter band join forces with art collective to create a unique performance event
Exeter band The Big V will be stepping off stage and into an empty office space in Princesshay next week when they participate in five live performance events during Unexpected 2013, Exeter’s brand new arts festival.
From 17-21 September, The Big V – who describe their sound as “a swirl of dangerous riffs, stomping propulsion and careful harmony” – are collaborating with Devon-based art collective Blind Ditch on the third and final part of their ambitious digital project This City’s Centre. Called Here, Now, the performance element completes Blind Ditch’s ‘digital triptych for Exeter’ and will combine live video streaming from city centre homes, live performance both in the office space and on the city’s streets, and live streaming for an online audience.
Instrumental to the live soundtrack for the performance of Here, Now each night will be the contribution from The Big V. Alex Johnstone, who provides vocals and plays piano, organ, guitar and harmonica, said: “We’re really excited to be involved with Blind Ditch and This City’s Centre. A lot gets made of the historic aspect of cities, especially Exeter, that it’s easy to forget that we live in the here and now. We really like the way in which This City’s Centre focuses on things you can do in Exeter today. It’s a great idea for a piece of art.”
The Big V will be playing original compositions and plan to incorporate the songs into the live performances in such a way that the performers can react to the storylines within them. The band’s live contribution will add a further level of interaction and collaboration to the already multi-layered nature of Here, Now – which has been created using the views and viewpoints of 40 Exeter residents – and will make for a unique experience for audience members.
Alex continued: “Adding music to any art form can give it more meaning and emotion, and taking performance outdoors or into unusual spaces makes for a much more powerful experience. We’re used to seeing work in galleries and theatres, so when you jump out of those usual spaces into quirky areas, then it makes everyone listen more intently, to take note of the whole experience and the people you’re sharing it with.”
Paula Crutchlow, lead artist and director of Here, Now, said: “Working with live music always adds to a performance energy, increasing the excitement and the quality. The Big V have a great sound that will bring something extra to the audience's experience of This City's Centre 3. Here, Now, and we’re really excited to be working with them.”
This City’s Centre 3: Here, Now is being performed in St Stephen’s House, Princesshay, during 17-21 Sep. 7pm. Tickets £10 (£8) available in advance from Exeter Phoenix, 01392 667080. Limited spaces – advance booking essential. thiscityscentre.net
The Big V host and play at a weekly night called LoVe Wednesday at The Revelry on The Quay, which also showcases music from other bands, including Mark Chadwick (The Levellers) Noel Harrison and local Exeter reggae bands Jabbrock and Audio Razor. For more on The Big V go to thebigvmusic.comhttp://www.thebigvmusic.com.
