Inspiring future musicians

This month, music lovers can experience three one-of-a-kind performances by Frankie Archer, ako and Natalie Sharp – bold, boundary-pushing artists at the forefront of music and digital experimentation. The programme marks the start of The Glasshouse’s third decade – it’s most creatively ambitious yet.

Newcastle University’s experts have worked closely with the Artists in Residence to inspire future musicians, students and academics. Led by music academics, and with help from colleagues across the schools of Arts and Cultures and engineering,   they have provided support and mentoring, access to technical support and music studios and visits to Marine Engineering. The artists have also worked with  performance and composition students, presented their work at the Music Research Seminar series, and have been linked with the University’s Centre for Creative Arts Practice (NICAP).

Kirsten Gibson, Professor of Early Modern Music and Culture, in Newcastle University’s Music Department  said: “'Partnering with the Glasshouse on their Artist in Residence scheme, and working with the three brilliant artists, has been a rich and mutually beneficial experience for staff and students at Newcastle University within and beyond Music.

“We have been delighted to be able to support the artists develop their work, but have also learnt alongside the artists exploring topics from AI and creativity, technology, participation and live performance to eco-acoustic and spatial sound design capturing coastal environments."

About the artists and their projects

Electro-folk artist Frankie Archer will invite audiences to become creators in a unique performance on Thursday 12 June. Electronic musician and producer ako will explore our evolving relationship with AI in an immersive audio-visual performance on Wednesday 25 June.  Activist artist-musician Natalie Sharp will present the latest chapter of her evolving project SPUME to an invited audience during a week of research and development at The Glasshouse.

The artists started work on their projects in September 2024, inspired by the possibilities of digital technology in music creation and performance. With support from The Glasshouse and partners Newcastle University, Mediale, and Advanced Media Production Network, based at PROTO in Gateshead Quays, their ideas have come to life. Now, it’s time to experience what they’ve created.

Frankie Archer’s electro-alt trad music blends her love of electronic sounds with Northumbrian folk roots, capturing human experiences from old folk traditions, reimagined with a special focus on the stories and perspectives of women and girls.

Commune, Frankie’s project, welcomes gig-goers to step inside the music as creators and collaborators on Thursday 12 June. Connected by copper wire, the audience will become an instrument, manipulating the sound to create an immersive and interactive experience. Blurring the edges between performer and audience, they’ll find connection and meaning in the communal experience of sound. Folks can join in as little or as much as they want, without pressure or expectation but with openness and warmth.

Frankie Archer said: “My time as an Artist in Residence has been so freeing. It’s given me the time to sit down and explore how to bring my music into another dimension with interactive technology and given me support from beautiful people at The Glasshouse and Newcastle University.

“This show will be a bit different. People won’t just see it but will be making it happen. I’ve deconstructed some of my songs so certain parts will be controlled by the people in the room, changing sounds through movement and touch. I can’t wait to see that happen!”

ako (alias of Simeon Soden) is an electronic musician who fuses vaporwave with experimental dance music. His audiovisual performances use creative coding, modified game consoles, VHS manipulation, analogue video equipment, and CGI, often repurposing obsolete tech to critique hyper-consumerism.

His concept album Algorithms of Loving Grace looks at our growing relationship with AI and its potential to enhance or disrupt the human experience. His project imagines AI’s potential to redefine work, allowing individuals to engage in socially valuable pursuits beyond traditional labour. On Wednesday 25 June, audiences can experience it through a live, immersive audio-visual performance with an analog television wall behind ako.

ako said: “The residency has been great. The financial support has given me the time and space to work on a large creative project, which, in an industry where independent artists juggle numerous responsibilities alongside their creative practice, pursuing artistic growth can take a backseat to the demands of survival. So, carving out dedicated time like this is vital for developing new ideas and growing as an artist.

“Support from The Glasshouse and partners provided structure, learning opportunities, and access to high-quality facilities. It’s also been great to have folks to bounce ideas off and get feedback along the way. It’ll be great to finally share my new album after working on it since September. The performance will be my most ambitious yet.”

Natalie Sharp is a disabled artist, musician, and radical body activist using performance, music, and sculpture to challenge norms and celebrate identity, transforming spaces into inclusive, expressive environments and confronting ableism with bold work.

Her project, SPUME, is an evolving immersive performance that explores the intersection between the human body, sound, and the natural world. Utilising soundscapes, tactile technologies, and innovations in sensory installations, SPUME seeks to create an experience where the audience feels the rhythms of the natural environment and the vibrations from the performance. This activation of the body as a site for healing through feeling sound creates an immersive experience that resonates deeply with both the audience and the coastal environment. For this chapter of SPUME, an invited audience will have the chance to explore and experience the technology, research and development behind the creation of this immersive installation.

Natalie said: “The residency has been invaluable in manifesting the latest iteration of SPUME, particularly offering insights into eco-acoustic and spatial sound design. Collaborations with Newcastle University’s marine engineering and Sunderland Glass Centre have pushed the project forward. While some hurdles presented challenges, they’ve only strengthened the project’s direction and I look forward to sharing this version of SPUME with peers and partners.”

Creatively ambitious era

In 2024, The Glasshouse entered its third decade, and it’s their most creatively ambitious era yet – enabling homegrown musicians to make and perform their best work. As one of the leading live music centres in the country, they provided the Artists in Residence with space, support, and expertise to create ambitious and innovative live experiences.

This work forms part of The Glasshouse’s broader impact as a creative powerhouse for the North East, contributing £681 million to the UK economy over its first 20 years.

Lucy Scott, Senior Producer Contemporary Music and Artist Development, said:  “In 2024, The Glasshouse celebrated the start of its third decade, ushering in its most ambitious creative era yet. Our goal is to provide a platform for local musicians to create and share their best work. Through our Artists in Residence programme, Nat, Frankie, and Ako have utilised our space, resources, and expertise to develop innovative live experiences – experiences we’d love for you to come and see.”

Rachel Williams, Head of Digital said: “Produced in collaboration between The Glasshouse Artist Development and Digital teams, and our fantastic partners from the across the region, this programme allowed us to experiment and play with different types of music production, performance and experiences with these three innovative artists. We’ve learned alongside the artists, testing new ideas and ways of working, all while exploring ways to invite audiences and our networks to experience this style of work, blending music performance and digital technology”.

These residencies show The Glasshouse’s commitment to nurturing bold, future-facing music experiences that inspire and connect.

Press release adapted with thanks to The Glasshouse International Centre of Music