The Glasshouse

• Three Artists in Residence will invite audiences to experience how digital technology, music and creativity collide with three unique showcase events in June.
• Artists Natalie Sharp, Frankie Archer, and ako have each created a unique experience for music lovers.
• The performances utilise aspects such as creative coding, modified game consoles, VHS manipulation, analogue video equipment, CGI, sensory installations and tactile technologies to deal with themes such as hyper-consumerism, our relationship with AI, disability, and womanhood.
• Supported by Newcastle University, Mediale, and Digital Catapult’s Advanced Media Production (AMP) network, the projects combine cutting-edge technology with artistic vision. 

After ten months of creativity and innovation, The Glasshouse International Centre of Music’s Artists in Residence are ready to share their visionary new work. This June, music lovers are invited to 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.

Explosive electro-folk artist Frankie Archer invites audiences to become creators in a unique performance on Thursday 12 June. Electronic musician and producer ako explores our evolving relationship with AI in an immersive audio-visual performance on Wednesday 25 June.  Activist artist-musician Natalie Sharp presents 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.

About the artists and their projects

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.

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.

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.

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.

As lead partners, Newcastle University’s music department worked closely with the Artists in Residence to inspire future musicians, students and academics. It was also part of a two-year partnership between The Glasshouse and Mediale, an international arts commissioner based in North Yorkshire, supporting the artists to produce work that combined music and technology in fresh ways.

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.

The final partner was Digital Catapult’s Advanced Media Production Network, based at PROTO in Gateshead. The team supported the musicians with technical training and access to specialist equipment to develop their projects during their residency. Advanced Media Production leads UK innovation by combining technologies and virtual environments to revolutionise media production.

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.

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 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.”

Nat 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.”

-ENDS-

– Beverley Knight: beverley.knight@theglasshouseicm.org
0191 443 4583
– Orla Noble, orla.noble@premiercomms.com
07834 073795

Images:

• Natalie Sharp
• Frankie Archer credit Rob Irish
• ako

Listings:

Frankie Archer: Commune

Thursday 12 June

ako: Algorithms of Loving Grace

Wednesday 25 June | 8:00pm

NOTES TO EDITORS

Information on artists:

Frankie Archer has exploded onto the electrofolk scene with music that transcends stereotypes using a combination of manipulated samples, synths, drum tracks and earthy Northumbrian fiddle and voice to capture her audience. Her aim? To shake up genres and traditions, challenge perspectives and call for a fairer future. Frankie’s music covers matters of humanity and womanhood, projecting ancient melodies and words through the lens of today.

Winner of the 2023 Christian Raphael Prize, Frankie has been featured on ‘Later… With Jools Holland’ and championed by tastemakers at BBC Radio 2 and 6Music. Following the release of her debut EP ‘Never So Red’ (November, 2023), she has supported the likes of The Futureheads and The Last Dinner Party.

Natalie Sharp is a British artist, musician, and radical body activist of dual heritage. With a multidisciplinary practice spanning over 15 years, she challenges societal norms and advocates for inclusivity and accessibility within the art world and beyond. As a disabled artist herself, Natalie’s work traverses sound, vision, and costume, weaving together ambitious interactive multimedia performances that challenge perceptions and ignite conversations. Rooted in body activism, her practice embraces composed sound, electronic music, video, performance, and lighting, all underscored by a profound commitment to inclusivity and environmental consciousness. Drawing on her dual heritage, she incorporates elements of her cultural backgrounds into her art, weaving narratives of identity, heritage, and belonging.

North East based electronic musician, producer and performer, ako (alias of Simeon Soden) infuses influences from vaporwave with experimental dance music. ako is an audio-visual experience, using experimental music videos to accompany musical works and performances; employing creative coding, modified games consoles, VHS manipulation, analogue video equipment and CGI. A common thread in ako’s work is repurposing obsolete audio and video recording / production equipment/ software/ abandonware as rebellion against planned obsolescence and hyper-consumerism.

ako has released music through international labels and got airplay on BBC 6 Music. He’s been selected for Spotify’s official editorial playlists, featured Tom Robinson’s ‘Fresh on the Net’ and on BandCamp Daily. The artist is part of Badger; a collaborative spoken word, no wave and noise pop project with a debut album on the way.

Programme partners

Newcastle University

Newcastle University’s music department is one of the largest in the country, offering extensive performance opportunities for its students including the Live in the King’s Hall series. Their vibrant community of scholars and practitioners research, compose and perform a broad musical repertoire – covering classical to contemporary, jazz to folk, and everything in between. They have strong links across the region with key venues and institutions including The Glasshouse, the Samling Academy and Opera North. The department also has links with Culture Lab, Newcastle University’s hub for research in digital creative practice and film practice at Newcastle University.

Supporting partners

Mediale

Dynamic and ambitious, Mediale work year-round to develop and deliver new commissions, live events and artistic development. They deliver careful, long-term interventions & holistic artist development, whilst producing high profile arts events that stimulate new thinking.

Mediale maintains the highest possible standards of curation, delivery and production; commissioning and producing globally significant work that is accessible to all while championing diverse talent. Through incorporating technologies into their works, the artists they work with bridge the gap between the new and the traditional, to challenge and inspire.

Advanced Media Production Network (based at PROTO)

The Advanced Media Production Network represents the UK’s first networked advanced media production studios, and the UK’s first interconnected 5G enabled facility designed to explore research and innovation capabilities in media production. The network, formed by studios at PROTO in Gateshead and Dock Street in London interconnected to additional capabilities at Digital Catapult HQ, is at the forefront of UK innovation and will lead the way in how convergent technologies and virtual environments will transform media production, creating new workflows and production tooling.

About The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a home for live music lovers.

It’s a place where you can hear rock legends or pop icons on the same night as folk trios or string quartets. Where new musicians are nurtured and showcased on the same stages as platinum-selling performers. And where youth choirs and tambourine-shaking toddlers practise in the same spaces as its acclaimed orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia.

Because as an international centre for music they’re focused on creating and celebrating outstanding music – whether that’s unearthing or growing talent from the region or bringing the world’s best artists to their stages. And as a charity they’re focused on making sure all of that is available to anyone – no matter where you’re from, how old you are, how much money you have, or what challenges you face.

Which is why every year more than 2 million people are able to join for top-notch gigs, concerts, and classes – in their venue at Gateshead Quays, out in communities across the North East, and through livestreamed performances and digital lessons.

Whether you’re making it up or taking it in, you’ll find music lives and grows there.

More about The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

• Since opening in 2004, The Glasshouse has hosted over 10,000 performances, welcoming nearly 5 million audience members and a total of 8 million visitors through its doors. It would take more than 27 years to see every show if you attended one every day.
• Over two decades, the charity has delivered around 233,000 music lessons, reaching young people and adults 2.8 million times across its education programmes (1.8 million of which were young people).
• As its resident orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia has toured globally, performing across four continents and livestreaming to audiences across five. Royal Northern Sinfonia also continues to bring world-class music to communities across the country, with 58% of performances in “levelling up for culture” areas.
• The Glasshouse has supported the careers of thousands of artists like Ward Thomas who have worked their way from free stages to headline shows in its main hall, achieving national and global recognition.
• A recent report quantified its annual social value through education, inclusion and community programmes at £14.1 million.
• Since 2004, The Glasshouse has welcomed over 400,000 delegates for conferences and events, hosting organisations such as Greggs, NHS, and British Engines. Through conferences and events it has generated £10.6 million, helping to fund the venue and support live music and education programmes.
• Over the past two decades, The Glasshouse has generated £681.2million to the UK economy with £38.6m each year in ongoing impact. It supports 700 jobs directly and indirectly.
• The iconic building, designed by Foster + Partners, has 630 panes of glass and stands 40 metres tall. In its opening year, it was exhibited at the Venice Biennale and won the RIBA Inclusive Design Award in 2005.

Celebrating 20 years – In December 2024, The Glasshouse marked its 20th birthday. Over the next year, the charity will reflect on two decades of achievements and look ahead to its third decade, with major initiatives like the Music Academy and Music Pass for newborns, making music accessible to all.