13 November 2009
Newsdesk
One of the most remarkable guitarists and singer-songwriters of his generation, Graham Coxon returns from the triumphant Blur reunion tour to produce a this special concert at the Barbican based around his recent critically acclaimed 7th solo album Spinning Top. The album is an intriguing opus influenced by Coxon’s immersion in the world of folk geniuses Davy Graham, John Martyn and Bert Jansch. The 15 resulting songs form a narrative of a man’s journey from birth to death. The evening also features projected visuals and films by filmmaker Chris Hopewell, who has previously collaborated with Radiohead and recently worked with Coxon on the videos In The Morning and Dead Bees
The evening’s concert will include several special guests. Robyn Hitchcock, who emerged in the late 1970s with Soft Boys, is one of the great individualists of the British singer-songwriter tradition, mixing melancholy and melody in his own eccentric way. Martin Carthy, a key figure of the 1960s folk revival, has remained an uncompromising beacon of folk integrity ever since, with an immediately recognisable vocal and guitar style. Welsh soprano Natasha Marsh has had hit records in the crossover Classical field and is also known for her devotion to football; at the other end of the spectrum, Max Eastley is known for his imaginative musical experimentation and for creating his own musical instrument, The Ark.
‘The Spinning Top is a revelation. A gorgeous album of folkin' strokin' pluckin' and strummin' that cements Coxon as a true icon in a day and age populated by unmagnificence’ - BBC Music Review
On display in the foyer and ‘performing’ at 6.30pm are Felix’s Machines. These music-making sculptures were constructed by artist and musician Felix Thorn in his own bedroom, to translate rhythmic audio structures into a three-dimensional visual show. The Machines are simultaneously a performance device and an art installation – and stand-alone sculptures.
On the Clubstage post-performance The BLK JCKS - a young South African trio – bring their blistering fusion of rock, Afro-pop, blues, and hip-hop to the Barbican for the first time.
Saturday 28 November 8pm
The Graham Coxon Power Acoustic Ensemble
Featuring special guests Robyn Hitchcock, Martin Carthy, Natasha Marsh,
Max Eastley + more tba
Tickets £12.50/15/20
Produced by the Barbican
A preview of Concrete and Glass, which takes place in spring 2010
concreteandglass.co.uk
