Annual Sensoria Festival attendee Mark Perkins previews the return of this year’s innovative, genre-spanning event.
If there are any certainties left in these crazy times, it is that not only will Sensoria lift my spirits as we head for shorter days and colder nights, but also that our very own festival celebrating music, film and digital arts will stage a range of events that are totally unique and completely unmissable.
Once again, their programme is a heady mix of live music, exhibitions and immersive events, together with an opportunity for leading industry professionals to gather here for Sensoria ProDay – all capped off with their now traditional link-up with the events of Synthfest UK. I’ll pick out a few highlights for you, but as ever, your best move is to check online (sensoria.org.uk) for the full lowdown and any last-minute additions.
A GIANT EVENT
The most exciting thing I spotted straightaway is a live performance by the band Nordic Giants, taking place in the University Drama Studio. I have never quite gotten over missing them at Tramlines a few years ago, where they performed in the subterranean depths of the City Hall Ballroom, so I’m really looking forward to this. Expect epic staging, outrageous costumes and a multimedia stage show as they play new material from their Symbiosis album, alongside songs from their 13-year career.
PARK LIFE
Further out of town, in the beautiful surrounds of Meersbrook Park there’s a three-night run of gigs at the wonderful Bishops’ House (presented by Sonido Polifonico). It’s an unbelievably strong line-up of experimental folk and electronica, with artists as far-flung as Belgium, the USA and beyond, as well as from all over the UK. Standout artists are many, but I’ll pick Penelope Trappes from Austria as my most unmissable.
GAME ON
Video games have now become part of our musical landscape. Sometimes big names provide the scores to the latest releases, but previously little-known artists are also given massive exposure on consoles. An evening of video game-related music, High Scores, produced by Pizza Hotline, Chipzel and Sheffield-based artist Harleylikesmusic, will be accompanied by live visuals celebrating the legacy and potential future direction of music in gaming. Whether you’re a gamer or not, it promises to be an immersive, intriguing evening.
GRAVE CONVERSATION
Away from live music for a moment, there will be what looks to be a fascinating talk by writer Desiree Reynolds and director Eelyn Lee about the making of a Gothic Horror film, based on a true story, centred around the history of a grave found in Sheffield General Cemetery. Illustrated with clips from the forthcoming film, Born on Sunday Silent, which follows a student haunted by the spirit of a child she is researching, it promises to be a spooky evening down at Samuel Worth Chapel.
BACK TO BRUTALISM
Mind-nourishing exhibitions have provided some of the most unusual and memorable strands of Sensoria in past years, and 2023 looks to be heading the same way. My Brutal Life, in which twelve artists explore the human side of artistic works with brutalist environments, is being staged in our very own brutalist superstar building, the Moore Street Electricity Substation. The exhibition itself is named after the new album from guest artists and curators The Black Dog, an experimental electronic music group who’ll be performing live at the University Drama Studio on 7 October, 9pm-11pm.
GO PRO
The Sensoria Pro Day – an annual gathering of composers, filmmakers and music industry executives – is perhaps not for everyone, but if you fancy spending the day in the company of Will Gregory of Goldfrapp, or Adrian Utley of Portishead, while watching the results of the film scoring contest, not to mention hearing from the music team behind the latest incarnation of The Full Monty, then get down there.
SYNTH WHEN YOU’RE WINNING
As has now become a yearly tradition, Sensoria has linked up with Synthfest UK for the final weekend. Where better to hold such a gathering than here in the birthplace of 80s synth-pop? Don’t be surprised if you’re browsing the industry stands, or attending one of the fascinating talks, and you occasionally notice members of bands such as Human League or Heaven 17, I Monster or Clock DVA mingling with the devotees of all things transistorised. It’s a Sheff thing. It’s a Sensoria thing.
In the meantime, why not scoot over to sensoria.org.uk and take a look at all of the events I’ve missed taking place 5th-8th October. Feel free to follow them on socials, @sensoriafest, for regular updates.
