From Out a Darker Sea

The Brooklyn-based contemporary percussion ensemble So Percussion present an audio-visual exploration of the social history of British coal mining, From Out a Darker Sea.

The coal industry long formed the backbone of towns and cities across England. Entire communities sprang into existence as fervent mining activity fuelled the industrial revolution. Integrating art, photography, film and an original musical soundtrack performed live, So Percussion – whose repertoire ranges across Cage, Xenakis and Steve Reich and have performed here as part of Bryce Dessner and Nico Muhly’s marathon weekends – capture the environment, personal stories, and aspirations of a community fighting against industrial decline.

This project – originally performed in County Durham – was born out of a collaboration between the quartet and Amber Films, and is inspired by East Durham’s reinvention after the crushing loss of its mining industry. They’re embarking on a national tour of sacred spaces, many in former mining communities, which combines live performance with community education programmes to lend local and contemporary context to historical narratives.

Sat 25 Nov 7.15pm
Pre-concert talk

Presented by the Barbican

Co-produced by the Sacred Spaces Network Project, produced by Forma and supported by Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring programme, The Foyle Foundation, Cockayne - Grants for the Arts and The London Community Foundation.

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‘Through a mix of consummate skill and quirky charm, this mercurial quartet has helped to ignite an explosive new enthusiasm for percussion music old and new‘

New York Times