
Arch-experimentalist Thurston Moore premieres his new work GALAXIES, leading a symphony of 12-string guitars in this two-part programme – the first half acoustic, the second electric.
This isn’t a rock band – it’s an orchestra, with Moore as conductor and composer. Twelve guitarists are arranged as if one instrument, exploring the vast emotional depths present in 12 strings. Taking inspiration from a poem by Sun Ra and featuring cosmos projections by Radio Radieux, GALAXIES ponders our place in the universe over two parts – ‘Earth’, an acoustic meditation on nature and animal wildlife; and ‘Sky’, which translates space’s great expanse into an electric guitar onslaught.
Thurston Moore has done more to change the vernacular of guitar music than almost any other player to emerge from the post-punk era. With Sonic Youth, he manipulated guitars to be transcendent, utilising everything from drumsticks to screwdrivers to expand the instrument’s voice and potential. This spirit of innovation continues in his solo work, most recently on 2017’s Rock n Roll Consciousness.
Guitarists
Rachel Aggs (Trash Kit, Shopping, Sacred Paws)
Jen Chochinov (Schande)
Joseph Coward (Camp X-Ray, Stiffy Byng Records)
Eugene Coyne
Jonah Falco (Fucked Up, Career Suicide)
Deb Googe (My Bloody Valentine, Thurston Moore Group, the So Sorrys, Primal Scream)
James McCartney
Thurston Moore
James Sedwards (The Devil, Nøught, Thurston Moore Group)
Susan Stenger (Band of Susans, The Brood, Big Bottom)
David Toop (The Flying Lizards, Frank Chickens, Alterations)
Alex Ward (N.E.W, Dead Days Beyond Help, Predicate)
Radio Radieux filmmaker
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Discover
Watch: Konstrukt and Thurston Moore at IST.Festival
Konstrukt and Thurston Moore perform live at IST.Festival Soho House Istanbul.
Watch: Thurston Moore performing 'Blood Never Lies'
Sonic Youth front-man Thurston Moore released a surprising solo record 2011 - here he performs 'Blood Never Lies' live on KCRW.

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Follow our regularly updated Contemporary Music playlist for a sample of the music you'll hear across our programme. Shuffle recommended.
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Barbican Hall
Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users in row U at the rear of the stalls (up to sixteen, depth of row 180cm) and the back row of the circle (four), both with fold-down companion seats. Some seats in row S of the stalls for people with very limited mobility.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the concert hall where there are a limited number of suitable seats in row G of the stalls. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the cloakroom staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
There is an induction loop in the concert hall. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.
Free large-print programmes
These are available for most of our concerts. Please contact access@barbican.org.uk at least a week beforehand, to prebook a large-print programmme.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.