New Music Biennial Showcases Weird And Wonderful Southbank Sounds

Chris Lockie
By Chris Lockie Last edited 117 months ago
New Music Biennial Showcases Weird And Wonderful Southbank Sounds

Onyx Brass - The Band Stand Project - 18 September 2013

Onyx Brass - includes Amos Miller (trombone), Niall Keatley (trumpet), Andrew Sutton (horn), and David Gordon-Shute (tuba)
Image of Onyx Brass courtesy of Robert Workman.

There's a new music showcase-style event coming to London next month, that in their wisdom the organisers have attempted to describe in such a dry manner it wouldn't be a surprise to see Phil Neville rolled out as compere. But when you do manage to pierce the cling-film and get to the meat of the event, the 'PRS for Music Foundation New Music Biennial' (see?) does look as though it might be quite an exciting affair.

The PRS for Music Foundation is an organisation that sets up funding for new UK-based musicians, to ensure the next generation of stars isn't left entirely at the mercy of the likes of Simon Cowell and his cohorts. The New Music Biennial, taking place at the Southbank Centre from 4-6 July, is designed to be a celebration of some of the finest new talent they have backed in recent times. The event covers (and mashes together) a whole load of styles and genres, so you'll want to carefully study the full line-up to avoid accidentally committing yourself to an afternoon of free-form jazz.

There are some tasty-looking acts on the bill. On 4 July there's a new vocal work by Shingai Shoniwa, best known as the singer and bassist for the London-based indie rock band Noisettes, and acclaimed singer-songwriter, musician and producer David Okumu. On 5 July you can catch highly entertaining ensemble Onyx Brass, and there's also a performance from London musician and composer Niraj Chag, whose heavily London-centric video for his track The Sin Eater you can watch below.

The highlight of 6 July could be be the coming together of avant-garde composer Piers Hellawell and 'zany improvising virtuosi' Bourne Davis Kane. Elsewhere over the three-day weekend there are seminars and the odd performance for kids, so get yourself over to the full list of events to pick yourself out a couple of choice shows. All the events are to be recorded by BBC Radio 3 and broadcast at a later date.

Most of the performances are free to enter though you will likely need a ticket to get in, available from the link below.

The PRS for Music Foundation New Music Biennial takes place at the Southbank Centre from 4-6 July. Free tickets are available from the Southbank Centre website.

Last Updated 19 June 2014