Outdoor and site specific music, sound and light projects have been an important part of Sound UK’s artistic programme over the years. We take a look back at a selection of the diverse outdoor projects we have produced over the last 25 years.
Polly Eldridge, Sound UK's Director says:
“It started with Canal music. I’d been on a tour bus, trekking up and down motorways and thought, surely there’s a better way to travel and present music. And of course there is, the slow ways of the canal, stopping off to perform to communities along the way. Working outside of standard music spaces, out in nature and the weather is liberating. You are surrounded by life past, present and future, and there’s a sense of teamwork unlike any other project.”
Canal Music
In 2009, we collaborated with Britain’s brightest folk and electronics artists, Lisa Knapp and Leafcutter John, to bring evocative new music inspired by the waterways to audiences along the banks of the Grand Union canal.
Resonances featuring Natalie Clien
In 2010, Resonances brought to life four distinctive historic houses through a captivating sound and music experience.
From the folly of Ickworth to the opulence of The Wallace Collection, the catholic intrigue of Coughton Court to the picturesque Nunnington Hall, Resonances inspired a fresh look at these historic houses.
Arriving after hours, audiences were taken on a special journey through each house. An installation by soundtrack composer Simon Fisher Turner alongside haunting voices brought the rooms to life. The tour of each house culminated with an intimate performance by cellist Natalie Clien.
One and All
One and All was a voyage through sight, sound and sea, with three leading artists – Tania Kovats, Owen Sheers and Martyn Ware.
Working with art, poetry and 3D sound, their specially created pieces marked our powerful emotional and personal connection with the British coast.
Launched in 2015, One and All marked 50 years of the National Trust’s Neptune Campaign, which has helped to fund the acquisition and care of 775 miles of coastline.
Find out more on our event page: One and All
Alight! & Sounding the Wood
In December 2017, Alight! brought together atmospheric lights, projections and sounds with installations by leading artists Kathy Hinde and Ulf Pedersen, plus emerging talent Wayne Binitie.
Audiences were invited to enjoy an after-dark walk through the historic landscape of the National Trust’s Prior Park Landscape Garden near Bath.
The installations were inspired by nature and the illuminated landscape transformed Prior Park at Christmas time. The sold out event took place over 3 days.
Find out more on our event page: Alight!
Watch the project film:
Sounding the Wood
Inspired by the landscape of Prior Park, Sound UK challenged adventure play company TouchWood to make a group of ‘woodland instruments’.
Nestled within Prior Park grounds the pop up musical playground was installed between July – December 2017 for audiences to discover, explore and play.
Find out more on our event page: Sounding the Wood
Watch the project film:
Reflect
In October 2019, two specially curated weekends of sound, light, music and art brought local communities, regional and international artists together to explore the connection between coastal living and wellbeing.
Through a series of briefings, talks and workshops running since early spring, Reflect brought people together to discuss their own lived experiences and connections to the coast. These experiences informed an outdoor sound and light event, featuring new commissions and works by international and local sound and visual artists, plus community groups.
Reflect aimed to compare the impact of coastal living on resident’s mental health in two vastly contrasting coastal communities; Bude, North Cornwall and Gravesham, Kent.
The beach huts were also transformed with beautiful light colourations, making them into artworks in their own right. Audiences were invited to step inside the beach huts to enjoy an intimate live folk gig from Bencoolen Wreckers and a new interactive soundscape Swirl inspired by the sea and costal living by Cornish artists Timothy Crowley and Kate Ogley.
Find out more on our event pages: Reflect Bude and Reflect Gravesham.
Watch the project film:
The Secret Sounds of Trees
"It was extremely immersing + wonderful. An experience I will remember forever. Thank you." Audience feedback
“Like a spiritual experience. Calming and Energising. Such a great experience - beautiful sounds and light - very special evening! Perfect setting.” Audience feedback
In 2023, we invited audiences to step into the Forest of Dean at Beechenhurst, and explore the inner world of the trees in an audio-visual experience.
An atmospheric soundscape, feathered, pink botanic, by acclaimed artists Jez riley French and Lau Nau immersed audiences in a hidden world, revealing microscopic vibrations and secret sounds of the trees, plant life, soil and insects. The experience featured lighting by artist Ulf Pedersen.
The sold out event was a free, timed entry installation from twilight through the evening over 3 days. We also worked with local partners to offer local community groups opportunities to engage with the installation and connect with nature at Beechenhurst.
Find out more on our event page: The Secret Sounds of Trees
Watch the project film:
Sound UK's online flyer archive - 25 years of extraordinary musical encounters
Explore our online flyer archive to see the variety of projects we have commissioned and produced over the last 25 years.
