TalkingGigs

Have you ever left an awe-inspiring gig with a multitude of questions buzzing in your head? Where does that sound come from? What’s the meaning of those lyrics? How famous are those artists at home? Does their music take political risks? What’s that instrument? What’s the culture behind their music?

TalkingGigs is a new live experience that attempts to answer those questions AND presents an unforgettable night of ‘unplugged’ music. Think of it as a cross between an exciting alternative music show and the best talk / interview format - combining the best of a main stage performance and an intimate workshop session.

Every TalkingGig offers unique insights into the life, work and culture of an artist, mixing conversation with intimate musical performance, questions from the audience and sometimes visuals. It’s an immersive ride into another world, a chance to get close and personal with some of the most fascinating musicians and hear them talk about their countries, cultures, instruments and influences, illustrating their words with unique performances of their best known songs.

TalkingGigs are hosted by highly entertaining and knowledgeable writers and music specialists. The aim is to achieve the perfect balance between music, conversation, visuals and audience involvement. It’s all about discovering new worlds, new stories and hearing music in a way you’ve never heard it before … that's both fun and informative.

Since launching in the summer of 2014, TalkingGigs have featured some A-list guests, including Abdallah ag Alhousseyni from Tinariwen, Emmanuel Jal, Sam Lee, Jim Moray and Ashley Hutchings.

In the coming months, TalkingGigs is teaming up with the University of Sheffield and others to present a new series of events – kicking off in October with Jon Spiers from Bellowhead and Bassekou Kouyate. Our aim for 2016 is to expand to other UK cities, including Bristol and London, and to continue developing the TalkingGigs format, taking it into new realms, including online film, radio and TV.