Preston band to launch new album with one-off gig at UCLan’s Alston Observatory
The University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Alston Observatory will be the unique setting for a one-off show by Preston improvisation band Cold Bath Street on the 4 March.
To coincide with the release of the group’s second album Sound Research Rebellion, the 10 piece band will perform at the observatory where they will work in response to visuals from artist Anne Fox and the staff and telescopes of the observatory. The audience and the music will journey through a cosmos in which Cold Bath Street tips its hat to Pink Floyd, Bowie, Can and Sun Ra.
Simon Partridge, band member and UCLan music senior lecturer, said: “This is a thank you to everyone that has supported the group but also an amazing opportunity to work in a completely different environment …a stage in space.”
Established in 2013, Cold Bath Street has involved current students, alumni and external artists from China, America, France and Hebden Bridge. No two shows are the same and last year Cold Bath Street worked alongside Soft Machine’s Gary Boyle, Jazz North’s Stephen Grew, released their first album and headlined the Friday of Futuresound Festival.
Tickets for the event are £10, which includes a copy of the vinyl album, ticket for the gig and transport to and from the University’s Preston Campus. Due to space restrictions at the planetarium the number of tickets is strictly limited. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
The work of Cold Bath Street is part of a larger initiative within UCLan that is helping cement an institutional reputation for improvised and interdisciplinary work. In June this year, the University will stage the Preston Jazz and Improvisational Festival. The University also work closely with the Improvisers’ Network - www.improvisersnetwork.co.uk