Date:

Saturday 1 March

Venue:

The Sage Gateshead

Time:

13:00 Talks & 19:30 Concert

Cost:

Talk: Free
Concert: £5

Featuring Dick Mills, Jean-Jacques Perrey & Dana Countryman, Broadcast

In 1963 a ground-breaking TV signature tune was first aired and a generation of young viewers dived behind the sofa. The Doctor Who theme is still the most famous product of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop which is 50 years old this year.

Broadcast

The workshop was a pioneer of weird and wonderful electronic sounds in the days before synthesizers, samplers and multi-track tape recorders, and it was staffed by a bunch of nonconformist innovators. The workshop, which ceased to be part of the BBC in 1998, influenced a new breed of composer from the 1960s onwards. Original workshop member Dick Mills will give an illustrated talk about their work. Radiophonia also includes an appearance by the legendary Jean-Jacques Perrey, whose inventive work since the 1950s firmly placed electronic music within popular culture and influenced a generation. He will give an illustrated talk and a rare live performance with collaborator Dana Countryman. Also on the bill is an exclusive Radiophonic DJ set by the UK band Broadcast and a live performance by electronic artist Brian Duffy in collaboration with a participation group from The Sage Gateshead.

13:00 Illustrated talk by Dick Mills, key member of the legendary BBC Radiophonic Workshop, and chief sound effects producer on Doctor Who for almost 20 years.

14:30 A screening of Life, Laughter and Loops, a documentary about the pioneering developments of Jean-Jacques Perrey and his work with Bob Moog and others.

16:00 Illustrated lecture and tape loop demonstration by Jean-Jacques Perrey.
With interactive demonstrations of the VCS3 synthesizer and one of the earliest fully electronic musical instruments, the Theremin, ongoing throughout the afternoon.

19:30 Radiophonia Live (£5)
Jean-Jacques Perrey & Dana Countryman, Broadcast, Brian Duffy
A rare live performance by the legendary Jean- Jacques Perrey with his collaborator Dana Countryman, plus an exclusive Radiophonic DJ set by Broadcast (Warp Records); and a live performance by electronic artist Brian Duffy in collaboration with a participation group from The Sage Gateshead.

Produced by NO-FI for AV Festival 08
Tickets 0191 443 4661, thesagegateshead.org or in person at The Sage Gateshead ticket office
Supported by the PRS Foundation.