100 years on from Holst’s Planets, We The Curious to host ‘The Planets 2018’ – ground-breaking live music event celebrating collaboration between modern astronomy and music

We The Curious will be welcoming a spectacular live music event to the Planetarium on 1 October, with The Planets 2018 - inspired by modern astronomy and music, the Ligeti Quartet perform 8 new planetary works, spanning contemporary classical, electronica to jazz, to create new works inspired by our solar system, to be performed in planetariums.

100 years ago, Holst’s The Planets was premiered. Shaped by an astrological understanding of the planets, this ground-breaking piece became a mainstream classic. Live Music Sculpture and Sound UK mark its centenary by asking: what would music inspired by current planetary science sound like in the hands of today’s composers?

The hour-long show will be accompanied by full-dome 3D astronomy visuals, using advanced technology to create a fully immersive and creative experience - all created by We The Curious’ Planetarium team. The Planets 2018 is the latest in the line-up of tech-lead, innovative music events held in the UK’s first 3D Planetarium, including Dark Side of the Moon: The Fulldome Experience, Wish You Were Here: The Fulldome Experience and events including the Simple Things festival and British Paraorchestra.

The event also includes an introductory talk by Dr. Philippa Mason, from Imperial College London’s Department of Earth Science & Engineering, who was the scientific mentor for 'Venus', composed by Shiva Feshareki - an experimental composer, radio presenter and turntablist of British Iranian heritage.

This multidisciplinary event helps to join the dots between science and music; to inform and inspire them, each composer has been matched with one of the UK’s leading scientists, working at the forefront of astronomy and passionate about widening its audience.  These include experts from Imperial College, Queen Mary College, Royal Astronomical Society and Open University who provided the composers with deeper insights into their planets and opportunities to visit them in their labs, handle artefacts and experience footage from the Mars Rover in virtual reality.

The show runs 6.30 - 8pm on 1 October. Tickets cost £14.95 (£12.95 concession), and is recommended for 16+, but younger children may attend upon the discretion of accompanying adult. 3D only available for ages 6+ due to health restrictions. For full information on the event, musicians and scientists, please visit http://www.sounduk.net/events/planets-2018/

For more information, and to book tickets, visit www.wethecurious.org/event/the-planets-2018 or call 0117 915 1000 (Monday – Friday 9-5).

-ENDS-

For further information, images, or to arrange a press trip to We The Curious, please contact Jen Forster – PR Manager, on 0117 9157 152/07967 334 152 or jen.forster@wethecurious.org

You can also follow We The Curious on Twitter (@wethecurious_) or on Facebook (wethecurious). For more information, please visit www.wethecurious.org

Editor’s Notes :

About We The Curious:

We The Curious was previously known as At-Bristol Science Centre; an educational charity with an aim to “make science accessible to all”, it opened in 2000, and welcomed over 5 million visitors in the past 17 years. At-Bristol relaunched as We The Curious in September 2017, with a new vision that is committed to creating a culture of curiosity.

We The Curious is an idea and a place for everyone. Our venue on Bristol’s harbourside is a bit like an indoor festival, with all sorts of different experiences, where you can interact with exhibits, test stuff out and participate rather than just visit.  We’re all about empowering everyone to ask questions and get creative - with boundaries removed between science, art, people and ideas - a culture of curiosity.

About Sound UK:

Sound UK produces and commissions extraordinary musical encounters in venues from national concert halls to village greens. It works with the world’s most creative artists to create memorable performances that excite and move audiences across the country and beyond.  Recent projects include: A Change Is Gonna Come – Music For Human Rights featuring Carleen Anderson, Nikki Yeoh, Nubya Garcia and Speech Debelle and Alight! a magical after-dark trail of light and sound through National Trust Prior Park Landscape Garden with works by Kathy Hinde, Ulf Pedersen and emerging artist Wayne Binitie. Find out more at www.sounduk.net

A Live Music Sculpture event produced by Sound UK. Funded by Arts Council England National Lottery and RVW Trust.