Ice show with live contemporary music

[zeit_hexe]

We did an ice show recently that combined skating with live contemporary music and electronics, including some motion tracking that affected the sound in real time.

There is some contemporary skating in it, but honestly the main focus is probably the music and sound world and how it interacts with the skating rather than fixed choreography to a track.

Here’s a short clip:



Full video:
https://youtu.be/P95tV6r4wrs

Would be interested in how this lands with a skating audience (coming from more the music side). Does it feel too far outside standard ice show format? Would you attend a show like this?

 

[Ruthypegs]

We did an ice show recently that combined skating with live contemporary music and electronics, including some motion tracking that affected the sound in real time.

There is some contemporary skating in it, but honestly the main focus is probably the music and sound world and how it interacts with the skating rather than fixed choreography to a track.

Here’s a short clip:



Full video:
https://youtu.be/P95tV6r4wrs

Would be interested in how this lands with a skating audience (coming from more the music side). Does it feel too far outside standard ice show format? Would you attend a show like this?

this looks and sounds really interesting - the idea of the movement determining the music reminded me of the theremin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin

I would be interested in attend a show like this, although would probably enjoy it more if it was a section of an event/show, rather than its entirety.

 

[Diana Delafield]

We did an ice show recently that combined skating with live contemporary music and electronics, including some motion tracking that affected the sound in real time.

There is some contemporary skating in it, but honestly the main focus is probably the music and sound world and how it interacts with the skating rather than fixed choreography to a track.

Here’s a short clip:



Full video:
https://youtu.be/P95tV6r4wrs

Would be interested in how this lands with a skating audience (coming from more the music side). Does it feel too far outside standard ice show format? Would you attend a show like this?

Not being a fan of most contemporary or electronic music, I'd stop to watch an experiment going on in my arena, but I wouldn't pay to see a show, no. (Mind you, I haven't attended any shows as a spectator for years, so I'm not the best person to answer this, I guess. )

 

[zeit_hexe]

Not being a fan of most contemporary or electronic music, I'd stop to watch an experiment going on in my arena, but I wouldn't pay to see a show, no. (Mind you, I haven't attended any shows as a spectator for years, so I'm not the best person to answer this, I guess. )

In general most contemporary music events are either free (in this case, it was "pay as you can") or very low cost comparatively (10-20Eur)

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

This is very reminiscent of Intimissimi On Ice, but on a smaller scale. Not 100% similar, but close.

Here is a video of one of my favorite performances from that show back in 2017. And if it was like that, then yes. But otherwise, no.

 

[Magill]

In general most contemporary music events are either free (in this case, it was "pay as you can") or very low cost comparatively (10-20Eur)

Yuzuru Hanyu has just premiered a show some two weeks ago (in fact, a half of the show, being just a trailer to his new ice story to be premiered later) which is all about contemporary music and contemporary skating, and as it is Yuzu, it is totally mainstream and high profile event, of course

But it is true it is kind of a rare bird on the ice show scene. Still his example shows that when well packaged and well skated it can be a hit with large audiences and with the media. I guess, like with any artistic endeavour, you start small and need to work your way up to gain better visibility and more audiences. But it is perfectly doable, I think.
With your YouTube video, I think it is an interesting idea and it has potential, but I would like it to be a little bit more packaged. Though I understand the difference in the scale, of course, I do think that
1. I am not sure if it was about the sound system in the venue or just the recording but the sound of blades was making it difficult to me to understand the words and at times even hear the music (though it might be only on the recording level) and I would appreciate it better if the words were easier to understand in real time
2. I think for better effect you would need to find a sponsor (or a friend) to incorporate lighting into the performance so that you can make the venue dark and play with lights like you are playing with sounds; I do not mean ice projection and such elaborate effects as I understand it would need a very different budget but lighting does not necessarily need to be very expensive and it is so great and so important to create a vibe

Anyway, it is interesting to see these things happening on a local level! Thank you so much for sharing .

Here's a bit of Yuzuru's PREQUEL so that it is not just a lip service (and maybe for some inspiration)
It is titled Magenta Paradox. You can find more info in the thread titled REALIVE in this Ice Shows subforum here if you are interested.

 

[zeit_hexe]

This is very reminiscent of Intimissimi On Ice, but on a smaller scale. Not 100% similar, but close.

Here is a video of one of my favorite performances from that show back in 2017. And if it was like that, then yes. But otherwise, no.

Oh, that's very cool - I will actually check that out! and yes, I understand. Contemporary music audiences I think are much more used to things being extremely low budget, and of course our annual operating budget for the entire year (which is 3-6 concerts worth) is probably a fraction of that single show. But I absolutely appreciate the input - It also helps us to know whether its worth it to plan something like this again.

 

[zeit_hexe]

Yuzuru Hanyu has just premiered a show some two weeks ago (in fact, a half of the show, being just a trailer to his new ice story to be premiered later) which is all about contemporary music and contemporary skating, and as it is Yuzu, it is totally mainstream and high profile event, of course

But it is true it is kind of a rare bird on the ice show scene. Still his example shows that when well packaged and well skated it can be a hit with large audiences and with the media. I guess, like with any artistic endeavour, you start small and need to work your way up to gain better visibility and more audiences. But it is perfectly doable, I think.
With your YouTube video, I think it is an interesting idea and it has potential, but I would like it to be a little bit more packaged. Though I understand the difference in the scale, of course, I do think that
1. I am not sure if it was about the sound system in the venue or just the recording but the sound of blades was making it difficult to me to understand the words and at times even hear the music (though it might be only on the recording level) and I would appreciate it better if the words were easier to understand in real time
2. I think for better effect you would need to find a sponsor (or a friend) to incorporate lighting into the performance so that you can make the venue dark and play with lights like you are playing with sounds; I do not mean ice projection and such elaborate effects as I understand it would need a very different budget but lighting does not necessarily need to be very expensive and it is so great and so important to create a vibe

Anyway, it is interesting to see these things happening on a local level! Thank you so much for sharing .

Here's a bit of Yuzuru's PREQUEL so that it is not just a lip service (and maybe for some inspiration)
It is titled Magenta Paradox. You can find more info in the thread titled REALIVE in this Ice Shows subforum here if you are interested.

This is so very cool and thank you so much for the feedback! I absolutely love Yuzu's shows - it would be a dream to someday work on a project with a budget of course we thought if we did it again to also have lighting, so this is a good observation on your part! Our budget was basically enough to pay the skaters, poet, and performers, and for the ice time.

Since you mentioned the legibility of the text: I wonder if subtitles might be useful for the video? What do you think? For example, we did these versions for the ones with fixed media: https://youtu.be/KS0H52nfvI8?si=T_AQBB4Pd-vCW-Rp that had voiceover

 

[TallyT]

We did an ice show recently that combined skating with live contemporary music and electronics, including some motion tracking that affected the sound in real time.

There is some contemporary skating in it, but honestly the main focus is probably the music and sound world and how it interacts with the skating rather than fixed choreography to a track.

Here’s a short clip:



Full video:
https://youtu.be/P95tV6r4wrs

Would be interested in how this lands with a skating audience (coming from more the music side). Does it feel too far outside standard ice show format? Would you attend a show like this?

I very well might, but I am not sure a lot of folk would, it seems to me move under the heading experimental art which could be a harder sell to a general audience (though the Japanese stars are branching out, Takahashi is also trying different things). Where are you from, and do you think you would be able to get 'name' skaters or composers?

 

[zeit_hexe]

I very well might, but I am not sure a lot of folk would, it seems to me move under the heading experimental art which could be a harder sell to a general audience (though the Japanese stars are branching out, Takahashi is also trying different things). Where are you from, and do you think you would be able to get 'name' skaters or composers?

I am a contemporary composer, it is also part of my doctoral research - the composers working with me on this project are also part of my collective

in terms of skaters, I worked with people who were interested, but because the project works on applications (I have to apply for funding to make the project happen, like many other such projects, since I am producing it with my non-profit) it tends to draw people who specifically have an interest in doing something experimental like this, rather than people who might be hired, if that makes sense. We are based in Austria.

I know in general these kinds of things aren't for the mass public, and that is part of the nature of it, of course. It is cool to hear they are doing some experimental things in Japan (the Japanese electronic music scene is actually super cool!).

 

[TallyT]

I am a contemporary composer, it is also part of my doctoral research - the composers working with me on this project are also part of my collective

in terms of skaters, I worked with people who were interested, but because the project works on applications (I have to apply for funding to make the project happen, like many other such projects, since I am producing it with my non-profit) it tends to draw people who specifically have an interest in doing something experimental like this, rather than people who might be hired, if that makes sense. We are based in Austria.

I know in general these kinds of things aren't for the mass public, and that is part of the nature of it, of course. It is cool to hear they are doing some experimental things in Japan (the Japanese electronic music scene is actually super cool!).

That sounds very promising, especially if you can get funding. I like it and wish you luck

 

[Magill]

This is so very cool and thank you so much for the feedback! I absolutely love Yuzu's shows - it would be a dream to someday work on a project with a budget of course we thought if we did it again to also have lighting, so this is a good observation on your part! Our budget was basically enough to pay the skaters, poet, and performers, and for the ice time.

Since you mentioned the legibility of the text: I wonder if subtitles might be useful for the video? What do you think? For example, we did these versions for the ones with fixed media: https://youtu.be/KS0H52nfvI8?si=T_AQBB4Pd-vCW-Rp that had voiceover

I think subtitles would work great, yes!!! If you can do it, do it!! Actually that's how I understand most of Yuzuru's shows as I do not speak Japanese.

It also reminded me of an art show created by some art students ages ago in a small amateur theatre which consisted basically of two things - The Doors Live double LP playing and a projection screen hanging from the ceiling in the otherwise dark room - and these art students were performing what they called "paint pouring" - they had liquid paints in different colours and were pouring them on a piece of glass over the projector achieving most crazy psychedelic and what-you-want-to-call-it visual effects, with coloured streams, stains and spots travelling upwards and to the sides, and occasionally down, merging and separating again, with the speed, rhythm and colouring aligned with the music. A splendid example of visual and sound sensitivity in those young performers. It was very simple, very inexpensive and very effective - as I still remember it with a wow after all these years, and believe me , it's been a long time since I was in high school and in the meantime I saw a lot
Just food for thought if looking for an additional effect instead of expensive ice projection or overhead video recordings

And the poetry is really great, thank you for sharing!
Good luck !

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

I am a contemporary composer, it is also part of my doctoral research - the composers working with me on this project are also part of my collective

in terms of skaters, I worked with people who were interested, but because the project works on applications (I have to apply for funding to make the project happen, like many other such projects, since I am producing it with my non-profit) it tends to draw people who specifically have an interest in doing something experimental like this, rather than people who might be hired, if that makes sense. We are based in Austria.

I know in general these kinds of things aren't for the mass public, and that is part of the nature of it, of course. It is cool to hear they are doing some experimental things in Japan (the Japanese electronic music scene is actually super cool!).

I'm afraid that Dodecaphonic "music" and the worst of "Musique Concrète" have resulted in a divorce with the usually most musically curious part of the general public? I would like more people to know that there's real musical (really musical) research which produces "food for thought" and emotions nowadays. I'm sure that the public could be much, much broader. It will never have the success of pop music but I don't think that it's doomed to marginality either. Sorry for this digression.

 

[zeit_hexe]

I think subtitles would work great, yes!!! If you can do it, do it!! Actually that's how I understand most of Yuzuru's shows as I do not speak Japanese.

It also reminded me of an art show created by some art students ages ago in a small amateur theatre which consisted basically of two things - The Doors Live double LP playing and a projection screen hanging from the ceiling in the otherwise dark room - and these art students were performing what they called "paint pouring" - they had liquid paints in different colours and were pouring them on a piece of glass over the projector achieving most crazy psychedelic and what-you-want-to-call-it visual effects, with coloured streams, stains and spots travelling upwards and to the sides, and occasionally down, merging and separating again, with the speed, rhythm and colouring aligned with the music. A splendid example of visual and sound sensitivity in those young performers. It was very simple, very inexpensive and very effective - as I still remember it with a wow after all these years, and believe me , it's been a long time since I was in high school and in the meantime I saw a lot
Just food for thought if looking for an additional effect instead of expensive ice projection or overhead video recordings

And the poetry is really great, thank you for sharing!
Good luck !

I think subtitles would work great, yes!!! If you can do it, do it!! Actually that's how I understand most of Yuzuru's shows as I do not speak Japanese.

It also reminded me of an art show created by some art students ages ago in a small amateur theatre which consisted basically of two things - The Doors Live double LP playing and a projection screen hanging from the ceiling in the otherwise dark room - and these art students were performing what they called "paint pouring" - they had liquid paints in different colours and were pouring them on a piece of glass over the projector achieving most crazy psychedelic and what-you-want-to-call-it visual effects, with coloured streams, stains and spots travelling upwards and to the sides, and occasionally down, merging and separating again, with the speed, rhythm and colouring aligned with the music. A splendid example of visual and sound sensitivity in those young performers. It was very simple, very inexpensive and very effective - as I still remember it with a wow after all these years, and believe me , it's been a long time since I was in high school and in the meantime I saw a lot
Just food for thought if looking for an additional effect instead of expensive ice projection or overhead video recordings

And the poetry is really great, thank you for sharing!
Good luck !

Will definitely add the subtitles, thank you so much for that tip! And i agree, honestly the poetry is really beautiful so it should be seen

 

[zeit_hexe]

I'm afraid that Dodecaphonic "music" and the worst of "Musique Concrète" have resulted in a divorce with the usually most musically curious part of the general public? I would like more people to know that there's real musical (really musical) research which produces "food for thought" and emotions nowadays. I'm sure that the public could be much, much broader. It will never have the success of pop music but I don't think that it's doomed to marginality either. Sorry for this digression.

so true, and sadly, I think its even worse, in general contemporary music isolates itself worse by just remaining stuck in the 50s and 60s but far enough removed in time that all it is is extremely watered down, without connection or meaning to the present.... sadly its really so nepotistic and political now in contemporary music (why?? I don't know - there is no money in it..) - I know so many fantastic composers creating beautiful works who are just never known because it is basically gatekept to keep us in the 60s. I will say that youtube has done a lot of make people more interested though, because a lot of contemporary music channels have 50k+ subs - of course it will never be pop music but it isn't meant to be. We try and put on concerts also with meaningful music that is representative of our time, but it is a struggle against the thinking that things have to sound like crap because otherwise we are "complacent", we aren't allowed to enjoy art because society sucks. Funding bodies don't like to fund music that isn't in that sort of "ugly" style.

The audience for the show was I would say for the most part people familiar with contemporary music because that is what we advertised to, but it was interesting that throughout the show, quite a few people who happened to be at the rink just sat down and stayed and watched (some figure skaters, some I think involved in hockey). I have definitely heard of shows where they are doing contemporary skating, or even having interdisciplinary aspects, but the combination of skating with more contemporary or experimental music I haven't really found anything on (aside from some of the things people now have posted in this thread). I appreciate all of the conversation about this.

 

[zeit_hexe]

I think subtitles would work great, yes!!! If you can do it, do it!! Actually that's how I understand most of Yuzuru's shows as I do not speak Japanese.

It also reminded me of an art show created by some art students ages ago in a small amateur theatre which consisted basically of two things - The Doors Live double LP playing and a projection screen hanging from the ceiling in the otherwise dark room - and these art students were performing what they called "paint pouring" - they had liquid paints in different colours and were pouring them on a piece of glass over the projector achieving most crazy psychedelic and what-you-want-to-call-it visual effects, with coloured streams, stains and spots travelling upwards and to the sides, and occasionally down, merging and separating again, with the speed, rhythm and colouring aligned with the music. A splendid example of visual and sound sensitivity in those young performers. It was very simple, very inexpensive and very effective - as I still remember it with a wow after all these years, and believe me , it's been a long time since I was in high school and in the meantime I saw a lot
Just food for thought if looking for an additional effect instead of expensive ice projection or overhead video recordings

And the poetry is really great, thank you for sharing!
Good luck !

We did a version with subtitles! https://youtu.be/gmgslQQxru4?si=j_yK8u5wUwnGQP79 - I do think this makes a big difference, especially since the text is such an important part of the project, so thank you so much for this tip!