This year our annual member-led event takes place in Plymouth. Across the weekend programme of talks, workshops, presentations and panel sessions we will explore the connected themes of collaboration, mutual support, and equality of access — centred around the vital question: how do we continue to Keep Things Joyous?

Outlands members KARST will host the activities with support from local venue Leadworks. Boundary-breaking artist NikNak kicks off proceedings on Thursday with a Turntabalism workshop and a live performance. On Friday, Outlands members will get together to share experiences of producing and presenting experimental and interdisciplinary performance. Later on that day KARST will present Penumbra — a new interdisciplinary piece bringing together acclaimed musicians Dali de St Paul & Maxwell Sterling with filmmaker Rebecca Salvadori & light artist Charlie Hope. Bright and early on the Saturday morning, Rhys Morgan and the LGBTQIA+ sea shanty choir Seaweed in the Fruit Locker will lead a unique sea-swimming event at Plymouth’s famous Lion’s Den location.

The Joyous Thing is for anyone working in, or simply interested in, experimental music and interdisciplinary performance. It is a chance to get together and share an experience. All are welcome to join Outlands Network for a weekend of talking, dancing, singing and socialising.

Outlands has existed since 2017 to support and unite audiences; artists; and producers of experimental and inter-disciplinary arts. KARST have been a fundamental part of building this network form its genesis. We are proud to partner with such an impactful organisation in the South West who experiment, provoke, disrupt and innovate. This event is funded by the Arts Council thanks to the National Lottery.

Programme: THURSDAY 4TH APRIL @ LEADWORKS

First Thursdays: NikNak live experimental turntabalist performance, with support from I AM FYA.
Thursday 4th @ Leadworks, 7 PM – 11 PM

NikNak, an artist well-known for her creative and boundary-breaking work, has gained worldwide recognition with her unusual albums, remixes, and engaging performances. In 2020, she made history as the first Black turntablist to receive the prestigious Oram Award. Not limited to any one genre or role, NikNak is a composer, sound designer, DJ, and electronic artist. With multiple releases, collaborations, and live shows, NikNak stands out for her unique style. Featured in various publications as a rising star, NikNak continues to advance the boundaries of sound innovation with her complex and singular approach to the turntables and spatial music production.

I AM FYA has been mesmerising audiences across the UK and beyond with her singular collision of live sample manipulation, experimental yet soulful vocals, and full spectrum sonic arrangement. Her performance has recently been described as “Barbadian bass science and undefinable grandeur”.

Thursday 4th @ Leadworks, 5 PM – 6PM: Turntabalism Workshop with NikNak

This workshop is specifically for LGBTQIA+ People of Colour who identify as female, trans and non-binary. For NikNak, “there continues to be a lack of authentic diversity and representation in line-ups in electronic music, especially where DJ-ing is concerned”. Meeting this challange, NikNak presents a relaxed Turntablism workshop designed to give participants the confidence to play the music they want without fear or anxiety.

Programme: FRIDAY 5TH APRIL - DAY @ KARST

The Joyous Thing: Outlands Network member-led event (all welcome)
Friday 5th @ KARST, 12 PM – 4 PM

An afternoon of Outlands Network member-led presentations and panel talks, featuring a ‘keynote address’ performance from The Cornwall Youth Noise Orchestra. With presentations from Outlands members: Jessica Beechey (London/ Cornwall)/ Moogie Wonderland (Penryn)/ Full of Noises (Barrow)/ Another Sky (London). And a panel and audience Q&A session with Karen Sutton (The Oram Awards), Anthea Clarke (I AM FYA), Nicole Raymond (NikNak) and Rhys Morgan (Seaweed in the Fruit Locker), chaired by Caleb Madden (Outlands Network/Spirit of Gravity).

Programme: FRIDAY 5TH APRIL - AFTERNOON @ KARST

Vocal Improvisation with Dali de Saint Paul
Friday 5th @ KARST, 4 PM – 5 PM

The voice is a versatile instrument. In this introductory workshop we will play with different exercises and improvisation techniques, and listen to a few examples from the history of experimental sound and music, to explore the potential of the voice as a musical, communal, and political instrument, and how multiple voices can interact in the context of improvisation.

The workshop lasts for 1 hour approx. No experience or musical training is required; all you need to bring is your own voice.

Dali is a prolific collaborator and a prominent figure in Bristol’s improvised music scene who likes to explore musical dialogues with musicians across different genres. Her improvised project EP/64 involved more than 40 musicians and visual artists in 64 concerts over 6 years. Described as having a ‘raw vocal style’, Dali is completely self-taught as a vocalist and musician.

Programme: FRIDAY 5TH APRIL - EVENING @ KARST

Penumbra (Dali de St Paul, Maxwell Stirling, Rebecca Salvadori and Charlie Hope) with support from Jessica Beechey and DJ Bealzedub Friday 5th @ KARST, 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM

Commissioned by Outlands, Penumbra is an experimental performance devised by vocalist Dali de Saint Paul, electronic composer and double bassist Maxwell Sterling, and visual artists Charlie Hope and Rebecca Salvadori. Emerging from a series of collaborative sessions, this new interdisciplinary piece comprises a dynamic sonic improvisation structured by a prepared video and lighting score. The project will develop and evolve over a series of live shows touring England in spring 2024. The tour was commissioned by Outlands Network and supported by Arts Council England. It is produced by Outlands Network member Al Cameron.

See this page for more info on the tour and the artists…

Programme: SATURDAY 6TH APRIL

Seaweed in the Fruit Locker @ The Lion’s Den, 11 AM

Grab your swimming garms and join us bright and early at the (in)famous local cruising spot, The Lion’s Den in Plymouth, for a unique morning of sea shanties and sea swimming. Rhys Morgan leads the LGBTQI+ choir, Seaweed in the Fruit Locker who will provide a fitting vocal accompaniment as attendees are invited to take to the water for a bracing morning dip.