Electric Circus electroacoustic ensemble is dedicated to exploring the creative intersection of acoustic instruments and spatialised electronic sound. Founded as an initiative of Northern Lights Project and directed by composer and performer Peter O’Doherty, the group commissions new works, develops interdisciplinary collaborations and supports artist residencies, particularly across North-West Ireland. Their projects foreground immersive listening, using advanced multichannel and 3D sound techniques to transform concert spaces into dynamic sonic environments.
Electric Circus performs widely throughout Ireland and internationally, presenting ambitious programmes that feature leading composers, innovative performers and emerging artistic voices. Recent highlights include large-scale touring projects such as Driftworks: New Music on the Atlantic Edge, a six-concert journey tracing Ireland’s western coastline, and collaborations with festivals such as Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and Belfast International Arts Festival. Through performances, commissions, and residencies, Electric Circus continues to expand the boundaries of contemporary music practice, championing experimentation and technological innovation.
Ports, Laments and Other Airs
In this series of three concerts in the North West, Electric Circus presents an exciting programme of new music for instruments and electronics, including music by composers in the Derry-Donegal-Sligo region. The pieces showcase the range and breadth of experimental music being composed and performed in this part of Ireland today.
Performers include Sarah Watts (bass clarinet), Theresa Kavanagh (fiddle), Moya Sweeney (harp/voice), Tara Baoth Mooney (voice/electronics) and Brian Stafford (uilleann pipes).
Saturday 9th September - Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny
Saturday 16 September - Yeats Society, Sligo
Saturday 30 September - Guildhall, Derry (Part of Oscillations & Modulations Festival)
We are grateful for the support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media through their Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme and Arts Council of Northern Ireland as well as the kind support and assistance from Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny and Spilt Milk Festival.
Michel Chion's Requiem at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
Peter O’Doherty, spatialisation
Brian Bridges, synthesiser
Brian Bridges (Ireland, 1977)
Ramp Waves (2023) 20’
Michel Chion (France, 1947)
Requiem (1973) 37’
First realised in the studios of the Groupe de recherches musicales (GRM) and premiered at the Théâtre Récamier in Paris in 1973, Michel Chion’s Requiem is having its 50th anniversary recognised by the Northern Lights Project with a series of performances in the UK and Ireland. Described as “a noisy and surreal deconstruction/recreation of the Requiem Mass”, the piece will be spatialised on an 8-channel speaker array by Peter O’Doherty. This hcmf// performance of Requiem will be preceded by a special performance by Brian Bridges on a vintage EMS Synthi AKS synthesiser.
Co-produced by Northern Lights Projects and hcmf// supported by Culture Ireland; also supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland
