Festival of electronic music comes to Liverpool to celebrate 60 years of the synthesiser

LIVERPOOL will host a historic electronic music festival celebrating 60 years of:- 'The Moog' the 1st ever commercial synthesiser.

The Moog At 60 is a 4 day musical extravaganza for lovers of all things electronic and synth, which takes place at Liverpool Hope University's Capstone Theatre between 21-24 November 2024.

This landmark celebration will pay homage to the revolutionary instrument and its inventor Robert Moog, which changed popular music forever in 1964.

The Moog, a name synonymous with electronic music, was the 1st ever commercial synthesiser. Through its revolutionary concept of analogue modular synthesis, the instrument heralded a succession of technological developments in music throughout the:- 60s and 70s. It was a key feature in the most innovative electronic and experimental music, progressive rock and jazz fusion of the time.

Paving the way for a succession of technological developments in music, The Moog created a new sound which was soon embraced by legendary acts such as:- Kraftwerk, George Harrison, and the Rolling Stones.

Following a period in electronic music production in the 80s and 90s dominated by digital synthesis, more recently analogue modular synthesisers have returned to the centre stage in electronic music, with artists enthralled by the instruments' timbral richness and their tactile sensitivity and playability.

Opening the festival in Liverpool, on:- Thursday, 21 November 2024, will be a headline show featuring Will Gregory Moog Ensemble; a collective led by Goldfrapp's Will Gregory and whose members include:- Portishead's Adrian Utley and composers Graham Fitkin and Ben Foster. Expect sounds from their latest album:- Heat Ray, an album inspired by the work of Greek mathematician Archimedes.

On Friday, 22 November 2024, the Capstone hosts a:- Lydia Kavina and The Twelve Hour Foundation double bill. Theremin player Lydia Kavina has graced stages:- with renowned orchestras such as the:- London Symphony, Radio France Orchestra and the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, whilst:- The Twelve Hour Foundation, whose music is released on the:- Castles in Space label, has had airplay from the likes of:- Stuart Maconie, Gideon Coe, Pete Wiggs and Project Moonbase.

On Saturday, 23 November 2024, the festival welcomes another double bill in Dave Bessell and Polypores. A classically trained musician with a doctorate in classical orchestration, Dave Bessell has also enjoyed an extensive career in popular music contributing to albums by:- Killing Joke and Suede. Polypores' music has been released by respected electronic music labels such as:- Castles In Space, Polytechnic Youth, Woodford Halse, DiN and Frequency Domain.

The celebration culminates on:- Sunday, 24 November 2024, with:- A Tribute to Kraftwerk - 50 Years of Autobahn and Far Beyond. For the 50th Anniversary of the iconic group's international breakthrough album:- Autobahn, music technology expert Mark Jenkins presents a striking live solo performance of the band's hits. For lovers of these innovators and pioneers of electronic music, this very special anniversary gig is simply a must.

The Capstone Theatre's Neil Campbell said:- "During the past few years, The Capstone Theatre has become a hotbed of electronic music and we have hosted many packed out nights. This, our 1st-ever festival of electronic music, will be particularly special; featuring some incredible acts in celebration of the groundbreaking instrument that changes music forever. We're thoroughly excited."

Tickets for:= 'The Moog at 60 - A Celebration' are on sale at:- TicketQuarter. Event tickets start at:- £16.50, with festival bundle tickets available from £55.

The Hexmen at The gild Hall Formby - Saturday, 31 August 2024

FOR those of you that remember the heady days of 1985 when George Hexman aka George Wickstead and Allan Mayes (Rusty/Elvis Costello) used to rock the rafters at Lords Wine Bar, Lord Street, Southport and Madhatters Southport. George is returning with his band The Hexmen supported by Aethelred's Bluesmen. for a gig @ The Gild Hall Formby. The Hexmen, a mainstay of the British and European Blues scene since the '80s, are renowned for their electrifying high energy harmonica driven performances.

Over the decades, George has played harmonica for many of the worlds greatest musicians such as:- Ray Charles, Bernie Marsden, MoTowns Timmy Thomas and recorded with Scouse indie greats such as The Real People, Smaller to name a few. Recorded with Scouse indie greats such as:- The Real People, Smaller. Blues band the Hexmen were a product of the post-punk creative maelstrom of Liverpool in the early 1980s. George Hexman(aka George Wickstead) singer, session blues harp player and frontman, founded the band, joining forces with major movers and shakers of the scouse music scene. The Hexmen line up was a shifting collaboration of local luminaries including:- members of:- The Stairs, Edgar Jones Charley Whitney/Los Racketeeros( Family),Afraid of Mice, The Las, Cast,The Klubs ,Rusty, The,Stairs, amongst others.

An unforgettable night of blues awaits, presented by the Wirral Blues Club, dedicated to promoting live blues music across Merseyside. Wirral Blues Club, said:- "We are thrilled to be bringing The Hexmen to Formby Gild Hall, on:- Saturday, 31 August 2024. Get your tickets now.  The Hexmen supported by Aethelreds Bluesman. This is a Wirral Blues Club event at The Gild Hall, Church Road, Formby, Merseyside, L373NG, from:- 7:30 pm with the 1st Band on stage from:- 8pm."

The Hexmens current album release:- "KIng Bee" will be available to buy at the gig. Recorded at:- The Motor Museum, Lark Lane, Liverpool. Engineered by Platinum winning Producer Darren Jones,( Stormzy, The Gorilla's etc) and mastered at:- Abbey Road Studio's, London by Geoff Pesche ( Robert Plant, Gorilla's, Dire Straits etc)