Underwater concert to be premiered at Glasgow sound festival

A sound festival is to host the premiere of an underwater concert at a Glasgow arts venue.

AquaSonic, created by Between Music from Denmark, have worked with deep sea divers, scientists and instrument-makers to compose work for five musicians submerged in water tanks that glow in a darkened gallery.

Performers will sing beneath the surface using specially-developed vocal techniques and play instruments designed for underwater use.

The work, which is part of the Sonica 2017 festival at the Tramway, uses whale song and chamber music to produce an “otherworldly event''.

The festival will host work from more than 40 international artists from 12 countries in 12 Glasgow venues between October 26 and November 5.

Sonica's 2017 artist in residence Nelo Akamatsu will use water, sewing needles, glass tumblers and coils of copper wire combined with electric currents to create sounds that will resonate throughout the Govanhill Baths in his work Chijikinkutsu.

He has also developed a site-specific version of his work Chozumaki for the Mackintosh Tower at The Lighthouse.

Following its world premiere at the Grand Theatre Groningen, Netherlands, on June 30, Cryptic associate artist Robbie Thomson will present the UK premiere of his work Infinite Lives.

Cryptic's artistic director Cathie Boyd said: “Cryptic is thrilled to be able to open Sonica 2017 with an unmissable UK premiere of one of the most jaw-dropping concerts you're likely to see.

“AquaSonic is truly unlike anything audiences will have experienced before and to be able to show it to UK audiences for the first time is an honour for Sonica and Glasgow.''