MIF LIVE is Manchester International’s very welcome response to our lockdown. A new free online programme for audiences at home. Kickstarting a weekly release of archive shows talks, behind-the-scenes insights and a new series of Festival in My House, on Friday 17 April is New Order + Liam Gillick.
Originally presented as part of MIF17, New Order + Liam Gillick: So it goes.. saw the legendary Manchester band take over the city’s iconic Old Granada Studios, where Joy Division made their 1978 television debut on Tony Wilson’s So It Goes programme, for a very special series of intimate performances created in collaboration with visual artist Liam Gillick.
The MIF world premiere saw New Order deconstructing, rethinking and rebuilding a wealth of material from across their career, with Liam Gillick transforming the historic space at Old Granada Studios into an immersive environment, creating a stage set that responded dynamically to the music. The band were joined by a 12-strong synthesiser ensemble from the Royal Northern College of Music, put together especially for the shows, with Mancunian composer Joe Duddell conducting and providing the orchestrations.
Winning universal acclaim from critics and audiences, New Order + Liam Gillick: So it goes.. played for five unforgettable nights in July 2017. This one-night-only revival of the original live stream from the event begins with a conversation between Manchester-based DJ and author Dave Haslam and artist Liam Gillick and then joins the performance for the second half of the show. Featuring tracks ranging from much-loved 1986 single Bizarre Love Triangle to 2015’s Plastic from New Order’s critically acclaimed Top 5 album Music Complete, the special online presentation is a rare chance to relive those magical five nights.
John McGrath, Artistic Director & CEO, Manchester International Festival says: “New Order are Manchester legends with a truly global influence, and we’re thrilled to be returning to this fantastic show to kick off MIF LIVE. Over the coming weeks we’ll be giving people a peek into our archives, revisiting some of our much-loved Festival shows along with opportunities to hear some of the artists talking about their work, plus exciting new work from Manchester artists. We’re grateful for the support of our artists, partners, co-commissioners and rights holders who have enabled MIF LIVE to happen as we find different ways to share and connect during these difficult times.”
Also, on the MIF LIVE weekly bill is a selection of artist talks from across the Festival archives, starting with Neneh Cherry in conversation with Manchester-based DJ and author Dave Haslam at 12.30pm on Thursday 16 April. Each week the schedule will be announced on the MIF website, Facebook and Twitter.
Livelihoods of people working in the creative sector have, like the wider community, been badly hit as a result of COVID-19 and MIF has repurposed some of its existing artist development funds, to help people across the region create work digitally and online. Over the coming weeks the MIF LIVE programme will also feature a reimagined version of the micro-festival series, Festival in My House, designed to reach audiences in lockdown. It will start on Wednesday 15 April, 7.30pm, with former MIF Jerwood fellow, poet, playwright and performance artist Chanje Kunda who has created a light-hearted response to the toilet roll shortage.
MIF LIVE shows will be streamed via the Manchester International Festival Youtube channel. For more information and direct links visit mif.co.uk.
MIF LIVE strands:
MIF Rewind (Fridays, from 7.30pm)
MIF will be turning back the clock and streaming events from previous Festivals – in full and for free.
MIF Encounters (Thursdays, from 12.30pm)
An opportunity to spend time with a selection of Manchester International Festival artists through weekly broadcasts of archive digital talks and discussions.
Festival in My House… And Yours (Wednesdays, from 7.30pm)
Inspired by long-running Festival in My House series, Manchester artists will create and present their own micro-international festivals in their homes – and then stream them online, live and for free.
MIF Extras
Deep-dive into previous Festivals, catch up on our blog, listen to MIF Originals podcast – and play video games by Nina Freeman and Paloma Dawkins.
MIF has also published a growing list of resources for artist and freelancers, providing sources of information, advice and funding. For more information, please visIt mif.co.uk.
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