Brighton Dome and Wired Sussex look to the future of live music through creative technology

Brighton Dome is supporting a series of free public events with Wired Sussex to discuss how the city’s live performance sector can thrive through creative technology.

Featuring leading industry professionals, the Alternative Stages workshops and discussions will give an insight into how new technologies such as 5G, augmented and virtual reality will impact the way audiences engage with performances and how artists, promoters and venues can adapt to harness new business opportunities.

Phil Jones, Managing Director, Wired Sussex said:

“For those in the music industry looking for ways to connect with new audiences and to grow existing fanbases, Alternative Stages is a must. It gives artists, labels, venues and others the chance to understand and engage with these technologies, and how they can help contribute to the post-pandemic rebirth of live music.”

Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival is collaborating with Wired Sussex and Platform B on the Alternative Stages programme as part of the 5G Festival, the world’s first 5G powered hybrid immersive festival experience. Alternative Stages will culminate in a showcase event of four virtual venues, presenting local musicians in virtual spaces at Brighton Dome and as a virtual city-wide festival in March 2022. The 5G Festival is led by Digital Catapult, the UK’s leading advanced digital technology centre, together with industry partners and funding support from the government’s 5G testbeds and trials programme.

Donna Close, Brighton Dome, Digital Cultural Associate added:

“Brighton & Hove is at the forefront of the creative technology revolution and through our partnership with Wired Sussex and the 5G Festival we want to open up opportunities for local artists and creative professionals. These events will offer valuable knowledge into how the city’s arts and cultural sector can adopt technology ready for the industry needs of the future.”

All events take place live at The FuseBox Brighton, tickets are free but should be booked in advance from wiredsussex.comThe Future Festival — Curating the Wonder of a Real-Life Festival
Wed 1 Dec, 4-5.30pm
Join this discussion to explore how new technologies like virtual reality and 5G might impact the way that audiences engage with gigs. The event will explore:

• What are the differences between designing a festival versus an online experience?
• How can we cater for different audiences within multiple spaces?
• How do we create wonder, serendipity, and clear sign-posting of a real-life event, online?

Moderated by broadcaster and musician C.J. Thorpe-Tracey with panellists Anna Mouslon (Melting Vinyl), Donna Close (Digital Culture Associate, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival) and Matthew Shaw (Sea Change). 

Watch this livestream to find out more about the creative and technical possibilities of virtual gigs and how different gig promoters and event organisers have been experimenting with new technologies. Moderated by broadcaster and musician C.J. Thorpe-Tracey with panellists Nats Spada (Co-founder & Creative Director of Platform B) Bobby Brown (Senior Producer at Platform B) and Donna Close (Digital Culture Associate, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival).

Watch this livestream to find out more about what the future is for online gigs with Dean Marsh (Creative Law & Business) Donna Close (Digital Culture Associate, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival) and Phil Jones (Managing Director, Wired Sussex). 

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