John Metcalfe

A reminder that Beyond the Loop, a season of modern contemporary and classical music curated by John Metcalfe, runs at Kings Place in London from Wednesday to Saturday 7-10 October 2009. And it's still not to late to buy tickets with this special ticket offer...

The John Metcalfe Band, featuring Andy Gangadeen on drums and the Sonic Science of Simon Richmond play on Thursday 8 October @ 7.30pm.

The Duke Quartet (featuring John Metcalfe on viola) play on Friday 9 October @ 7.30pm before The Durutti Column (@ 9pm). This concert sees them perform music from two of the pre-eminent composers of our time, John Cage and Kevins Volans.

Tickets for either The John Metcalfe Band or The Duke Quartet are available for just £6.50 each. To book simply visit www.kingsplace.co.uk, register or login and enter the promotional code "loop"* in the box provided.

* Note the promotional code must be entered at the login or registration stage to claim your discount.

Labels: beyond_the_loop, Duke_Quartet, gigs

Transcript of flyer:

Beyond The Loop
October 7-10

"British mould-breakers blurring the edges of electronic and contemporary music"

Featuring: The Durutti Column | The Bays | Simon Hale | The Heritage Orchestra | The Duke Quartet | Plaid | Red Snapper | Ensemble Bash | Jon Hopkins feat. Davide Rossi | The John Metcalfe Band

Tickets from £6.50

King's Place

Full details in the new 'live' section.

Labels: beyond_the_loop, gigs

Autumn is looming and it's a busy season at Kings Place in London. On the 5th September is 'Music for the Afterlight', a series of three concerts as part of the second Kings Place festival. It's a great lineup with Ted Barnes' beautiful haunting music, one of 2009's great discoveries The Leisure Society, and Clayhill in what is so sadly their very last show.

Later in October is the return of 'Beyond The Loop', a four-day mini-fest with a series of concerts I have curated showcasing the very best of British creativity and performance at the sharp edge of contemporary classical and electronic scenes. With the programming artist-led and specifically designed to demonstrate a healthy blurring of genre and style these events bristle with artists at the height of their creative energies and experience. From the world renowned Duke Quartet to the electronic artistry of Warp Records' Plaid and from Factory's cult group Durutti Column to electro-whizz Jon Hopkins this festival is an absolute must for fans and adventurous newcomers alike. Culminating in the astounding collaboration involving live composition between electro pioneers The Bays, composers Simon Hale, me and the innovative Heritage Orchestra this is not to be missed. Of course I couldn't do the festival and not book my own band! We are playing on the 8th October at 7.30pm. I've waxed about the acoustics in Kings place before but this time around we are playing in Hall One. Just fantastic. Worth the price just to hear the silence in there.

Check the Kings Place web site for details.

Labels: beyond_the_loop, gigs

Finally had time to update things. The MBM tour was a runaway success and contained so many memorable moments particularly playing to a packed Festival Hall for the last show. There are loads of YouTube clips posted so do have a look. Everyone was amazing - the Bays, Jules Buckley, the orchestra, Adam and the AV guys and all the crew did such an outstanding job. I have to single out fellow composer Simon Hale who night after night turned out the most incredible music. The man is bionic. We also did some great shows as the support - cds flying out the door and exceptional response which was a very lovely thing. I keep saying it but thank you to everyone who showed up.

So 2009 is looking nice and busy. I am currently working with a legend (can't say who yet) for a possible album release this year - very exciting. Tom Kerstens's album which contains some of my work is also set for release on Real World Records and my collaboration with cellist Matthew Barley will be resumed now that his shoulder has recovered. Just at the end of last year I contributed some strings to Babyshambles' new album and I worked with Imagined Village's Simon Emmerson on his new project which was sounding very beautiful though I say it myself!

My involvement with Kings Place in London has picked up pace. Alongside the 2 concerts I have curated for the Spring series I am planning a 4-day festival in Hall One during early October. Early days but some exciting artists are already involved. More as soon as I have it.

Labels: beyond_the_loop, gigs, Matthew_Barley, Tom_Kerstens

Both the launch show at the 100 club and the 3 events of 'Beyond the Loop' at the opening day of Kings Place were fantastic. The venerable 100 club turned out to be the perfect choice. The band felt we gave one of our performances of the year and the crowd were brilliant. Thank you to all who made the effort to come and particularly to Dr. Alick Sethi and Steve Carnello for giving us the ideal atmosphere before and after the show with tailor-made tunes.

If you didn't make it to Kings Place then you must go! The venue has two stunning halls to play/listen in and the atmosphere is focused but very welcoming. There are some great concerts coming up with something for those who like classical/jazz/world or electronic music. The band is back in March supporting the Bays. Looking forward already.....

Labels: beyond_the_loop, gigs

The 3 events I have curated for the opening of King's Place have now sold out. Apologies to those of you who didn't manage to get tickets. There are still tickets available for the CD launch at the 100 Club on the 24th September.

Labels: beyond_the_loop, gigs

I have curated a 3 part event at the opening of King's Place, an outstanding brand new building in King's Cross featuring a state of the art concert hall combined with gallery, 2nd recital hall, restaurants and new home to the Guardian, London Sinfonietta, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and many other arts organisations. The acoustics in the main hall are absolutely stunning and rival (possibly better in my humble opinion) other famous halls such as the Wigmore.

The event is part of 5 days of concerts from a wide range of musicians and features a rare chance to hear the Max Richter ensemble, the Duke Quartet performing Steve Reich's seminal 'Different Trains' and the John Metcalfe band all in one place and time. This all happens on 1st October. Tickets are next to nothing so move fast!

www.kingsplace.co.uk

Labels: beyond_the_loop, Duke_Quartet, gigs