NEWS
For more news go to LIST.CO.UK /NEWS
ANNOUNCEMENTS, LINE-UPS AND OPINION
GLASGOW’S TECTONICS: MORE EXPERIMENTAL THAN EVER
‘Make it experimental’ was conductor Ilan Volkov’s instruction to all those taking part in his Tectonics Glasgow music weekend last year. And they duly obliged, with ping- pong balls bouncing off bass drums, sandpit conducting, and the Beatles resounding from inside a teapot.
Tectonics is back, and as its
recently announced programme shows, it’s even more experimental and wide-ranging than ever. ‘It’s demanding but very dynamic,’ says Volkov, ‘and it gives everyone the opportunity to stretch their imaginations and discover new experiences.’ Despite being hosted by the BBC
Scottish Symphony Orchestra, classical music is just one of many strands. ‘We have a contrast between composed music and improvised music, academic music and totally anarchic, punk music – that’s the crux of Tectonics,’ Volkov says. Top non-classical name is Sonic
Youth frontman Thurston Moore (pictured), who’s joined by Icelandic composer collective S.L.Á.T.U.R, Edinburgh group Usurper and Scottish jazz iconoclast Bill Wells, among many others. On the classical side, US experimental composer Christian Wolff is in the spotlight, and there are nine world-premiere performances. ‘Classical music needs to be as open as possible to other genres,’ says Volkov. ‘In any case, the differences between music genres are nowhere near as big as they used to be.’
Also available for visitors to try out for themselves are invented and adapted instruments by artist Sarah Kenchington, collected together as Sounds from the Farmyard. Bring open ears and an open mind. ■ Tectonics, City Halls & St Andrew’s in the Square, Glasgow, 9–11 May, tectonicsfestival.com/glasgow
FOOD UNDER THE MICROSCOPE AT E D I N B U R G H S C I F E S T This year’s Edinburgh International Science Festival (Sat 5–Sun 20 Apr) is more ambitious than ever, as its just-unveiled programme reveals. There’s a celebration of DIY science and an independence- themed strand, as well as a GastroFest mini- festival (pictured) on the science of food and drink, with plenty of chances to tuck in. More details at sciencefestival.co.uk
I N D E P E N D E N C E O N T H E AG E N DA F O R N EW E I F P L AYS
tackles The Edinburgh International Festival the independence debate in August with a major trilogy of plays by Scottish playwright Rona Munro. The James Plays star Blythe Duff and Soi e Gråbøl, and director Laurie Sansom said he hoped they would ‘sharpen the mind’ ahead of the independence vote.
O S C A R N O M I N AT I O N F O R EC A S T U D E N T Filmmaker Sara Ishaq has received an Oscar nomination for a documentary she made while studying at the Edinburgh College of Art. Karama Has No Walls charts a 2011 uprising in Yemen, and it’s one of eight i lms competing in the Best Documentary Short category at the Academy Awards on Sun 2 Mar.
G L A S G OW R I V E R S I D E F E S T I VA L AC T S A N N O U N C E D Jamie Jones, Andrew Weatherall, Aphrohead aka Felix Da Housecat and Moritz Von
8 THE LIST 20 Feb–20 Mar 2014
Oswald are among the acts announced for the Riverside Festival in Glasgow. Expanded to a two-day event, on Sat 3 and Sun 4 May, the weekend takes place in the grounds of the Riverside Museum and the Tall Ship. More details at riversidefestivalglasgow.com
G L A S G OW 2 0 1 4 C U LT U R A L P R O G R A M M E U N V E I L E D The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme has announced 42 new arts projects, with contributions from performers as diverse as Aidan O’Rourke, Janey Godley, Rosana Cade and visual artist Phil Collins. See feature, page 23, and visit glasgow2014.com/culture
vaults N EW P O P - U P F E S T I VA L F O R E D I N B U R G H VAU LT S in Disused Edinburgh’s Market Street will become the atmospheric venue for a pop-up arts festival from Fri 28 Mar to Sat 5 Apr. The Hidden Door Festival brings together bands, visual artists, theatre, cinema and spoken word. Performers taking part include Kid Canaveral, Tinderbox Orchestra and Meursault. For more details, see hiddendoorblog.org
AWA R D F O R G R E E N F R I N G E S H OWS The 2014 Fringe Sustainable Practice Award could be yours if you’re bringing a green, sustainable show to the Fringe this year. Applications are now open, and the winner is announced on Thu 22 Aug. More details at sustainablepractice.org/fringe