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- SY.Gigs - this autumn, Nothing is Ordinary in Shrewsbury
SY.Gigs - this autumn, Nothing is Ordinary in Shrewsbury
Chris Taylor, Shrewsbury native and founder of SY.Gigs, has evolved his ‘not-for-profit’ alternative music project, turning it into a highly respected and appreciated venture that continues to attract a stellar list of international artists.
After a 40-year career in local government, Chris promoted music and performance events in Shrewsbury for eight years before 'kick-starting’ his real passion, the curation of a distinctive alternative music programme in the heart of his hometown's historic churches.
Music had had a profound impact on Chris's well-being during low periods. This was a key motivation when developing the SY.Gigs concept.
"I have always been prone to depression and anxiety, something I unfortunately developed at a young age," he says. "Nothing helps me more than immersing myself in a focused ‘live’ musical experience. You lose yourself in that moment. It is an opportunity to reset your nervous system, and I want other people to experience that benefit."
The first ever SY.Gig was a performance by Sam Wilkes and Sam Amidon on the 16th July, 2022. A successful first season of events followed, pushing the boundaries of the live music scene in Shrewsbury. Season 2.0 has continued where that season left off, bringing a host of internationally respected artists to some of Shrewsbury’s oldest and most beautiful historic spaces.
Smart programming provides access to high-quality music. Each event is uniquely curated by Chris, his fellow collaborators and volunteers, creating a captivating and immersive experience. Each church is atmospherically lit and SY.Gigs' sonic partner, Opus Media Productions, makes the most of the buildings' natural resonances. The aim of SY.Gigs is to replicate something that you could experience at London’s St Pancras Old Church or in New York as part of the Ambient Church series.
SY.Gigs Season 2.0 includes a wide variety of genres, including ambient electronica, trip hop, indie folk, post classical, experimental, contemporary jazz, and soul music.
Many of the artists who have played to date, or are scheduled to play on the remaining season 2.0 programme have been secured through artist referrals, highlighting the respect that has formed in the music industry for the experience of playing in Shrewsbury as part of the SY.Gigs series.
Season 2.0 has already seen some highlights, with many events selling out.
Harpist Cerys Hafana opened the season in January, followed by Berliner percussionist Bex Burch in February. The Miles Spilbury Trio provided a deep, meditative, improvised new age jazz set in March, before Parisian ambient electronica artist Audrey Carmes conjured a beautiful and beguiling set in April.
In May, Tara Clerkin Trio played a sparkling trip hop set in St Alkmund's, before Group Listening arrived from Cardiff to play a ‘Harold Budd’ inspired set from their new album Walks.
For the last gig before the summer break in July, Greg Foat and Ayo Salawu were joined by Ocean Ivy at St Alkmund's for a sell out show.
In September, New York-based composer and cellist Clarice Jensen transfixed the audience with an emotional and captivating performance that was pulsing, visceral and full of colour.
The final three concerts of 2024 will take place at The Unitarian Church on Shrewsbury's High Street. These autumn shows are branded as ‘Nothing is Ordinary’; a reference to the variety and diversity of the autumn programme. From ancient Korean instruments that build a sparse contemporary ambience, to folktronica, jazz, Afro Samba, Choro, electronica and pop, SY.Gigs continues to push the boundaries.
Nothing is Ordinary: Autumn 2024
On October 23rd, Dasom Baek & Minseon Choi will arrive from South Korea. They will combine a variety of ancient instruments mixed with electronic sound in a contemporary expression of traditional craftsmanship and sonic experimentation. Support comes from Rupert Thomas, an Australian electronic artist who builds deep, slow-moving ambient soundscapes. This event will raise funds to Save The Hive -- all profits generated will be donated to the campaign.
November 9th will see Adam Scrimshire perform music from his upcoming new album Autumn for Lovers. Adam Scrimshire is a multi-instrumentalist, writer, producer and mix engineer based in South London. He is perhaps best known for his work under the artist name Scrimshire, including seven solo albums.
In recent years, Adam has worked for artists including Daudi Matsiko, Mark de Clive-Lowe’s Rōnin Arkestra, Huw Marc Bennett, Bev Lee Harling and Stac, and on records for a massively diverse list including Killing Joke, Dele Sosimi, The Milk, Emma-Jean Thackray, and more. Irini Arabatzi, who is on Adam’s own record label will support, playing a mixture of folk jazz and pop.
The final event of Season 2.0 takes place on November 30th, welcoming Fabiano Do Nascimento and Rebelski to Shrewsbury Unitarian Church.
Fabiano Do Nascimento is a guitarist, composer, producer and arranger from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, currently based in Los Angeles and Japan. Fabiano records music and performs on various multi-string / multi-tuning customised nylon string guitars. A contemporary artist who is deeply rooted in Brazilian heritage and is known for his unique sound and compositions that are ever-expansive, borrowing from the traditions of Afro-Samba, Folkoric and Choro while echoing elements of jazz, experimental & electronica.
Rebelski crafts ambient compositions with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of sonic space. Through his music, he embraces the beauty of minimalism, weaving delicate melodies and subtle textures into mesmerising tapestries of sound.
Tickets are available on Skiddle and physically from Glou Glou in Castle Gates and in The Market Hall, an option recently introduced to enable people to buy tickets without paying online booking fees.
Those attending the event in November can expect a special and unique collaborative 'giveaway'... watch this space!
Upcoming SY.Gigs
Dasom Baek + Leaving
Event 9 .0 of SY Gigs Series 2.0 at the Unitarian. Dasom Baek pursues ground-breaking and modern music rooted in traditional Korean instruments.
23 October 2024
Scrimshire + Irini Arabatzi
Event 10 .0 of SY Gigs Series 2.0 at the Unitarian. Adam Scimshire is one of the UK's most significant soul music producers.
09 November 2024
Fabiano Do Nascimento + Rebelski
Part of the incredible SY.Gigs series of alternative music events. Fabiano is a guitarist and composer from Rio de Janeiro who is rooted in Brazilian…
30 November 2024