The UK’s finest exponents of Javanese Gamelan from the SBC, and electronica from Warp records come together for the first time in an entrancing new brilliant live collaboration.

Warp Records’ Plaid and the Southbank Gamelan Players explore the profound impact Gamelan has had on western musicians, from classical composers to electronica artists, in a brilliant live project. New works created collaboratively with leading Indonesian composer Rahayu Supanggah will be performed with specially commissioned visuals by Minivegas. Since their hugely successful first outing at last year’s Ether festival, the project takes to the road for the first time. The Rahayu Supanggah Southbank Centre commission takes centre stage with the electronica duo weaving a subtle soundscape around the 12 strong Gamelan orchestra’s fluid rhythms to stunning effect. The programme will also feature other new works, developed in collaboration; revealing the resonant timbres and percussive drive of Gamelan music in tandem with Plaid’s laptop wizardry. The visually arresting nature of the Gamelan is complemented by excellent visuals from Minivegas, who create big shiny gongs that morph in and out of shape, triggered live in performance.

Born in Java in 1949 into a family of master puppeteers, renowned musician and composer Rahayu Supanggah has become one of Indonesia’s most prolific artists working in the field of gamelan music and culture. He also enjoys an international reputation as a pioneering academic and collaborator in this field. A strong interest in cultural exchange has driven many of his collaborative works including ‘Mahabarata’ with Peter Brook, ‘Lear’ with Ong Ken Sen and 'I La Galigo’ with Robert Wilson. His music for the Indonesian film ‘Opera Jawa’ directed by Garin Nugroho, won the SACEM Prize for best soundtrack and musical creation at the 28th Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes, 2006.

In May 2007, Southbank Centre appointed Supanggah as Artist in Residence for three years. Since then, Supanggah has worked very closely with the Southbank Gamelan Players and performed with gamelan groups from around the UK during June 2007 to celebrate the reopening of the Royal Festival Hall. In addition to his work as Southbank Centre Artist in Residence, Supanggah is currently collaborating on a composition for the Kronos Quartet.

Plaid is Andy Turner and Ed Handley; old school friends who have been recording together since 1988. Signed to Warp Records in 1993, they have released a number of albums as well as remixed and collaborated with many artists, including Björk, Goldfrapp, The London Sinfonietta, Nicolette and Unkle. The duo have a packed international schedule, often touring with the video artist Bob Jaroc. Their first soundtrack was for the award winning Japanese animated feature 'TekkonKinkreet', their second being for the Japanese live action feature 'Heaven's Door' released in 2008. They are currently completing work on a new LP entitled 'Scintilli' which is due for release this year.

Southbank Gamelan Players, Ensemble in Residence at Southbank Centre, was founded by Alec Roth in 1987. Most of the musicians have undertaken extensive study in Java and a number are tutors for the Southbank Centre Gamelan Programme. Working closely with dancers, puppeteers and composers from Indonesia, Europe and the USA, the group has established an international reputation both for its performances of traditional Javanese music and for its championing of new music for gamelan. Previous collaborations have included work with the Mark Morris Dance Group, Bjork and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

TOUR DATES:

September & Oct 2010

Sept 29th Gateshead, Sage

£15 full, £12.50 concs.

St Mary's Sq, Gateshead Quays, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE8 2JR

0191 443 4661

Sept 30th Leeds, Howard Assembly Room

Ticket prices £12

The Leeds Grand Theatre, 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU

Oct 1st Oxford, Playhouse

Ticket prices £15, £10

11 - 12 Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW

01865 305 305

Oct 8th London, Village Underground

Tickets £14.50 via Eat Your Own Ears, See Tickets, and Stargreen

See Tickets: 0870 264 3333

Stargreen: 020 7734 8932

The Plaid and Southbank Gamelan Players tour is supported by Arts Council England.

LINKS

http://www.plaid.co.uk

http://www.myspace.com/plaid4thepeople

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COMPETITION: 1x Pair of tickets to attend ‘Plaid & the Southbank Gamelan Players’ at the Village Underground at 20.00 on Friday, 8th October.

To claim your tickets, send an email to jamie@run-riot.com with the correct answer in the ‘subject’ box. The winner will be randomly selected.

Q: Southbank Gamelan Players, Ensemble in Residence at Southbank Centre, was founded by Alec Roth in 1987. Most of the musicians have undertaken extensive study in Java and a number are tutors for the Royal Festival Hall Gamelan Programme. Working closely with dancers, puppeteers and composers from Indonesia, Europe and the USA, the group has established an international reputation both for its performances of traditional Javanese music and for its championing of new music for gamelan.
Of the following, who haven't they collaborated with (yet)?

A: 1) WOMAD .2) Wayne McGregor .3) Aphex Twin .4) Plaid