BBC Hall, Swansea Studios, Swansea
Fri 25 May
Since moving to Swansea a couple of years back, experimental harpist Rhodri Davies has more or less single-handedly made the city a plausible destination for avant-garde musicians with his NAWR events. Recent guests have included Evan Parker, Philip Corner and Davies’ sometime collaborator Richard Dawson; this month, he welcomes a band of British musicians under the Modern Ritual umbrella, and everything points to it being captivating.
Embarking on a tour of sorts – two days apiece in April, May and June – the Modern Ritual concept was devised by Norfolk musician Laura Cannell [pictured], a brilliant pusher of the folk envelope who creates evocative wonder from fiddle and recorder. It explores the notion of ritualism in music and performance, a vast topic dating back maybe thousands of years; performances will be predominantly solo, with a collaborative set by Cannell and Charles Hayward, evergreen drummer of This Heat and general renaissance man. (Hayward’s solo set is billed as a “30-minute drum roll”, which ought to be a more enticing prospect the more you’ve seen him play.)
Also featuring: the blurry electronics of Suffolk musician Hoofus; a reading by writer Luke Turner on his notion of “the sexualised landscape”; Jennifer Allan’s apparently foghorn-themed talk-cum-performance and a solo set by Davies himself. This is an Arts Council England-funded tour, so kudos to all involved for sneaking over the border.
Tickets: £7/£5. Info: www.rwan.cymru (NG)