/Introducing Underdrome

Introducing Underdrome

Production Shot Of Underdrome
Production Shot Of Underdrome

Music finds its way onto many stages, television screens, radio programmes, and record stores across the world. Sometimes it also joins forces with other art forms to create a unique event/experience. This is the case with Underdrome, a new show premiering at London’s Roundhouse from 22nd to 24th May 2009. Press material describes Underdrome as ‘Dance, Music, and Video Art collide in a thrilling 360 degree assault on the senses’ but what does this actually mean?

Underdrome has been put together by the multi-talented award winner Darren Jonhston who’s used his skills in choreography, dance, and sound/video, to create this event. The essence of the event is contemporary dance, and 30 dancers will be performing during the event. They will be performing to a variety of electronic music from the Warp Records Label, and some new material. A 100 strong choir and the London Contemporary Orchestra are also involved with the music. The resulting ‘soundtrack’ will be remixed live by Zan Lyons (more on him soon). All this is set against a backdrop of video art and specially designed sets.

The photos and description only give a hint of what’s to come from this unique event. It’s evidently something that’s hard to explain, and should be experienced. But if it’s captured your imagination, then tickets costing £20 are available now from the Roundhouse Box Office (0844 482 8008) or www.roundhouse.org.uk

The People Behind Underdrome

Darren Johnston is the main driving force behind Underdrome. He’s a choreographer, performer and sound/video artist, who evidently has a lot of imagination too. His choreography has so far won him an award from Laban, where he studied, and several European choreography competitions. His events featuring dance, musical scores, and visual art, have previously been seen at the acclaimed Edinburgh Festival, and the South Bank Centre.

Zan Lyons
Zan Lyons

Underdrome also features the talents of Zan Lyons. Zan is a classically trained violinist and electronic artist from the Warp Records/Beggars Banquet stable. Zan also dabbles in the world of live remixing, of both music and films. Zan will be remixing music and video at Underdrome. This and the choreography/dance element, will change and respond to each other through each performance. This is unfamiliar territory to me, but it certainly sounds like an interesting experience. Along with his remixing work, Zan has been releasing music, described as “ambient-hardcore” ( a potent mixture of sadistic break beats, creaky violins, vampiric landscapes and distorted jungle rhythms) since he was 20 years old. We have an interview with Zan Lyons coming soon to music.co.uk, but in the meantime, check out his myspace page for more information. www.myspace.com/zanlyons.