The Present and Future of Electronic Music

6 November 2018

Conference and performance events form part of Great Northern Creative Expo

Wednesday 14 November, 9.30am– 10.30pm

- Conference Venue: The Mitchell & Kenyon Theatre, Foster Building, UCLan, Preston, UK @ 9.30am

- Paul Birchall’s Performance Venue: Main Theatre, Media Factory, UCLan, Preston, UK @ 8.00pm

- Johnny Jay’s MixrUPt Performance Venue: the Ferret, Fylde Road, Preston, UK @ 8.30pm

Wednesday 14 November sees a conference exploring the ‘Present and Future of Electronic Music’ taking place in the Mitchell and Kenyon Theatre at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Preston.

The day-long event, organised by UCLan’s Professor Ewa Mazierska, Dr Les Gillon and Tony Rigg, is part of the Great Northern Creative Expo.  It will host an international cast of circa 30 experts, including people from the music industry and academics, who will present research and explore this important area of music.

Rigg, himself a music maker and music business person, having occupied roles such as Operations Director for Ministry of Sound commented:

“The conference aims to deepen understanding of what electronic music is, what it does, how it is made, how it is consumed and what its future might be.  The event is ideal for anyone with an interest in electronic music whether you are a researcher, student, you make it, monetise it, or are a fan and want to know more.”

"The event is ideal for anyone with an interest in electronic music whether you are a researcher, student, you make it, monetise it, or are a fan and want to know more."

Guests include influential Vienna based producer and composer Patrick Pulsinger, the BBC’s Steve Barker who has been exploring electronic music for decades in his ‘On the Wire’ show, Russian/ British/ Ghanaian artist and NTS Radio regular Afrodeutsche, and Tristan Hunt from the Association for Electronic Music, to name but a few.

In the evening accomplished musician Paul Birchall will be performing in the Media Factory, his latest work entitled 'Conversing with the Minimoog 3074' a series of compositions inspired by and drawing heavily on Moog’s iconic Model D synthesizer. Paul, an artist in his own right, has worked with many other distinguished practitioners including Marshall Jefferson, Jim Diamond, Candi Statton, K Klass, Snake Davis, Graeme Park, DJ Sneak, Martin Fry, Felix Da Housecat, M People and Heather Small.

The album is due for official release early next year on the Gradgrind Music Label, a new enterprise set up by UCLan.

Following Paul’s performance everyone is invited to bring instruments and original music to join DJ/ Producer Johnny Jay for the MixrUPt Open Mic Mixtape Jam at Preston’s leading grass roots music venue, the Ferret.  Johnny has been responsible for many hit singles and underground classics and is hoping some of the region’s future stars will be joining him and taking part in the event.

Admission is free, and members of the public are invited to attend any of the events. Email trigg@uclan.ac.uk to guarantee your place.