Works in Progress at Cobalt Studios

Johnny James, Managing Editor
Brighter Sound

Works in Progress at Cobalt Studios, Newcastle 7 September 2018 Entrance is free

Ludicrously creative composer, producer and performer Anna Meredith will be wrapping up The Hexagon Experiment with the performance of a new work. Firmly established in the classical world, Meredith’s music is relentlessly adventurous. Her recent exploits include a concerto for beatboxer and orchestra, a symphony for body percussion, and a beguiling electronic re-imagination of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Last week, her First-World-War-commemorating orchestral piece ‘Five Telegrams’ was performed at the BBC Proms, paired with digital projections which adorned the Royal Opera House’s vast exterior.

Though she still has a foot firmly planted in the classical world, Meredith has conceded that it can sometimes be a restrictive arena in which to operate. She has thus recently been leaning towards… shock horror… pop music. Her debut album Varmints is an outlandish offering of sci-fi-infused art-pop that straddles both electronic and acoustic territories. For anyone new to her music, a great starting place is her NPR Music Tiny Desk concert, which is just exhilarating. Beginning with her album’s ground-trembling lead track ‘Nautilus’, it captures the infectious joy and authenticity that her live shows so generously exude.

For The Hexagon Experiment, Meredith will be creating a brand new work alongside as-yet-unnamed emerging female artists from the North East. This will explore the common language between musical and scientific composition. Having been increasingly associated with vast concert halls, catching Meredith perform at the relatively tiny Cobalt will surely be a magical experience. After the performance, she will discuss her process of mixing classical, pop and electronic elements in her work, before scientists from the National Graphene Institute reveal their latest developments, from super-flexible graphene running shoes, to super-strong graphene condoms!

Works in Progress at Cobalt Studios, Newcastle 7 September 2018 Entrance is free

Where to go near Works in Progress at Cobalt Studios

North East
Gallery
The Biscuit Factory

A converted Victorian warehouse, with over 250 collections of work on display at any given time, as well as The Factory Kitchen Café.

North East
Restaurant
Little Buildings

One of Newcastle’s most well loved gig venues, Little Buildings is open 7 days a week and remains a local favourite.

Ouseburn
Newcastle
Tourist Attraction
Ouseburn

If you were walking along Newcastle’s quayside to the east, you would eventually arrive in the Ouseburn. Ouseburn – named after its tributary to the River Tyne – is the alternative cultural quarter of Newcastle.

Newcastle
Music venue
Cluny 2

An independent music venue in Newcastle upon Tyne. There is a good choice of food and drink too.

Seven Stories
Newcastle
Library
Seven Stories

Seven Stories is the National Children’s Library which brings together all of children’s literature into a single building. Based in the creative area of the Ouseburn valley, Seven Stories is built inside of a building with seven stories, but its name has a double meaning as all the stories we tell fall within seven plots: Quest; Overcoming the Monster; Rags to Riches; Voyage and Return; Tragedy; Rebirth and Comedy!

Laing Art Gallery
Newcastle
Gallery
Laing Art Gallery

The Laing Art Gallery’s collection of classic and historical art highlights many of the successful artists who have come from the North East over the years.

Quayside
Newcastle
Tourist Attraction
Quayside

The Quayside of Newcastle (and its sister town of Gateshead) is a hugely popular location in the city, featuring seven bridges spanning the impressive river, linking Newcastle to Gateshead and providing scope for many walks and tourist attraction.

Live Theatre
Newcastle
Theatre
Live Theatre

The Live Theatre has a fantastic reputation for developing, writing and producing new plays and shows every year. The Live Theatre started in 1973. It was at first a traveling theatre company, which started by telling stories that were relatable to daily life in the North East of England and presented these plays to local people – which it has continued to do to this day.

Heaton Park Newcastle
Newcastle
Park
Heaton Park Newcastle

Found in the east end of Newcastle, Heaton Park offers fantastic opportunities to explore with woods, beautifully maintained flowerbeds, and wooded areas all in the same park. It is fantastically connected to both Armstrong Park and Jesmond Dene, for those looking to extend their walk around the other parks locally.

Newcastle
Restaurant
Stack Newcastle

Following the closure of Stack, a hugely popular food, drink and entertainment pop up in Newcastle’s Stephenson Quarter, plans are full steam ahead for a permanent location at Worswick Chambers.

Tyneside Cinema
Newcastle
Cinema
Tyneside Cinema

In the city centre of Newcastle you can find the Tyneside Cinema. The Tyneside is one of the most loved cinemas in the North East of England, from its iconic Art Deco interior (best shown off in the Classic Screen) through to the wonderful range of world films and amazing community.

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