MUSIC CURRENT 2017 takes place from 27-29 April

MUSIC CURRENT, a festival which showcases new Irish and international contemporary electronic music returns once again this year, with a host of concerts, panel discussions, workshops, master classes, performance opportunities, premieres and new commissions.  

Taking place over three days at the Smock Alley Theatre and the Contemporary Music Centre from the 27–29 April 2017, the line-up this year features Irish soprano Elizabeth Hilliard, guest composer Christopher Fox, German ensemble KLANK, a major new immersive installation by Dublin Sound Lab composers, plus a special concert of new international works developed during the festival by participating composers, one of whom will receive this year’s IMRO / MUSIC CURRENT COMMISSION award of €2,500.

Speaking about this year’s festival, curator Fergal Dowling of contemporary music group Dublin Sound Lab says:

This year's festival shows the variety of engaging approaches in contemporary electronic music, whether the seductive lyricism of Saariaho's 'Lonh', the visceral directness of Klank, the technical virtuosity of our international participant composers, or the massive scale and depth of expression of 'Perisonic', Music Current 2017 gives audiences a chance to sample the ocean of sound in new electronic music.

Festival highlights include PERISONIC, an immersive, large-scale, panoramic 'painting' of Dublin, using 8 loudspeakers and 4 video screens taking place at the Smock Alley Theatre on Saturday 29 April at 8pm and again at 9pm. Commissioned by Dublin Sound Lab, this concert-length installation is the result of a major collaboration with composers Scott McLaughlin, Gráinne Mulvey and Fergal Dowling, creative producer Sabina Bonnici and video artist Mihai Cucu.

The festival also features a free public panel discussion entitled, Are You Talking to Me? chaired by CMC’s Director Evonne Ferguson on Friday 28 April at 6pm, taking place in CMC’s library. The discussion concerns the relationship between listeners, composers, promoters and performers as viewed from the audience’s perspective and is a must for anyone with an interest in contemporary music, or simply those curious to find out more about it!

For more information on all MUSIC CURRENT 2017 events and to purchase tickets to concerts, visit www.musiccurrent.ie