A sonic and visual sensation, 10 analogue Moog keyboards gather on stage at the hands of some of the most skilful and innovative rock, contemporary classical and jazz musicians.
As one half of the electronic music sensation Goldfrapp, keyboard-player and composer Will Gregory is one of the UK’s leading advocates of using synthesizers and electronic instruments to create new sounds and reinvent old ones.
The Will Gregory Moog Ensemble first performed together in 2005 as part of the Bath Festival, recreating some of the ‘Switched on Bach’ arrangements of Wendy Carlos in the Seventies. The band perform a mixture of specially composed music, transcriptions of classical works, and their own versions of music from popular culture and film scores.
The band have gone on to play concerts and electronic music festivals throughout the UK and Europe.
They appeared with Human League’s Martyn Ware at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg in 2018, played at the Philharmonie de Paris for the Days Off festival in July 2019 and were guest artists for the BBC Concert Orchestra’s concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing at the BBC Proms 2019.
They have made several broadcasts for BBC Radio 3, including an enjoyably spooky one from the Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station.
The band draws on a pool of players, and usually appears with between 6 and 10 performers, depending on the music.
The current lineup comprises Will Gregory, Adrian Utley, Simon Haram, Dan Moore, Graham Fitkin, Ruth Wall, Vyv Hope-Scott, Eddie Parker, Ross Hughes and Georgie Ward.
‘Heat Ray: The Archimedes Project’ will be released on Mute Records in May 2024.
13 Feb 2024 - first single
27 March 2024 - second single
24 May 2024 - album
Originally commissioned by BBC National Orchestra of Wales, this new set of music is based on principles by Archimedes, arguably one of the world’s greatest ever polymaths, and interspersed with his most celebrated theories.
The album features spoken word elements by acclaimed comedian and mathematician Matt Parker from Stand Up Maths (over 1.2 million YouTube subscribers). A choice of guest mathematicians is available for live performances.
The Will Gregory Moog Ensemble will be touring a set based on Heat Ray from September to October 2024.
"Goldfrapp's Will Gregory proved that old synthesisers can still sound majestic. All the pieces were played with infectious rhythmic drive. That, combined with Gregory’s endearing enthusiasm for these old instruments, and his witty arrangements, almost made me believe these victims of technological progress could have a future." - The Telegraph
“the Moogs had won us over with the breadth of emotions they displayed from sheer joy and bounce to deep, gut tingling throbs.” - Only Jazz Blog
"The instruments may be retro but the intent and delivery of this performance was anything but." - Bristol 247
"Deep, deep inside this substantial set I am immersed in the ceremonial…musicians and audience transcend the here and now as we journey towards the sublime." - Louder Than War
"Gig goers were wowed by one hell of a thrillingly unique experience when the Moog Ensemble rolled into Bristol. Will Gregory and his ensemble epitomised the scope of the instrument's cosmic musical reach, dazzling us with an eclectic, often giddying musical showcase. It's beautiful and bizarre, terrifying and hypnotic, avant garde and contemporary, subterranean and ethereal, astonishing and totally enthralling." - 365 Bristol
