Preview // 'Midgard' at Wirral Earth Fest 2014, West Kirby, September 12th
Midgard, a multi media
performance combining music and visuals will open this year’s Wirral Earth Fest
on the evening of Friday September 12th. Inspired by the Hogback
stone, an ancient Viking burial stone, on display inside St Bridget’s Church,
West Kirby the specially commissioned performance by Operation Lightfoot will be
a must see for all those who enjoy music, local history and, of course, Wirral
Earth Fest.
The performance will feature special guest vocalist Kaya Herstad Carney,
the much loved and very unique singer and guitarist Silent Cities and more. “I
am very excited to be composing a new musical work especially for the launch of
Earth Fest this year. As a composer,
it’s always an exciting challenge to produce something original that really
connects with an event’s theme, location and audience.” said
Luke Moore, instigator of the Operation Lightfoot project.
“When I initially visited St Bridget’s church, I was fascinated by the story behind the Hogback burial stone on display there and it became a jumping off point for the rest of the process. The piece’s title is ‘Midgard’, which was one of nine worlds in Viking mythology and the only one in which humans lived. I researched West Kirby’s Viking settlers and have written a section that will be sung in Old Norse. It felt right to approach Liverpool-based Norwegian singer-songwriter Kaya to feature as a soloist for the first movement of the piece, and she has helped with translating some of the text”
The performance will also feature projected video footage that has been filmed
and edited to accompany the music. “I can’t give too much away, but the piece
will use the space within the church in a particularly interesting way. In addition to this, there are some amazing
guest musicians and some unusual instruments involved as well as part of the
Operation Lightfoot line-up.”
Wirral Earth Fest’s
Sebastian Gahan, music Co-Producer, said “It’s
an honour to have Operation Lightfoot open this year’s Wirral Earth fest with
this specially commissioned piece. I’ve always admired their collective work,
as well as project instigator Luke Moore’s composition work for many other
artists. The collaborative nature of the work works perfectly with the
community and sustainability themes of the festival and the whole Wirral Earth
Fest team is excited to welcome them.”
Operation Lightfoot’s debut single “Eighteen” was released 18th August by Ultimate Fake Records. Luke Moore’s
previous work includes commissions to write music for Chester Christmas Light
Parade since 2012, short film and theatre soundtracks and scoring arrangements
for bands across the UK.
The exciting mix of
musical styles, guest singers and the collaborative nature of the work everyone
is putting into this ensures that the 12th September’s premiere will
be very special indeed.
Wirral Earth Fest takes
place from the evening of Friday September 12th to the morning of
Sunday 14th over St Bridget’s Church and its adjoining fields and
church centre. It will feature sustainability, community and eco themed activities
including workshops, music performances, kid’s activities and much more.
#SRCZ - Culture is everywhere...
