Headphones for Live Performance
Many of the performances I have been involved in over the past years have used radio headphones as their primary source of audio. My involvement has been as technical consultant, composer, arranger and quasi-choreographer.
The headphones are battery powered and can be set to receive one of three independent stereo channels.
This setup allows for many interesting ideas compositionally, choreographically, spatially and socially.
They can be used to give distinct intimate individual experiences as well as enable group experiences and group interaction (1:1, 1:many, many:1, many:many).
Sonically they can change the acoustics and soundscape of a performance space over its duration, as well as changing the stereo field - something that is intensified when working with binaural recordings.
Spatially they afford a performance to move around or roam as far as an idea desires and allows the audience to become an active part of a choreography.
All of the above provides a multitude of possibilities when working on any project.
Below is a brief summary of some of the projects I have been involved with and the part the headphones played in the final experience.
HUSH - A series of sound walks in urban nature using one stereo channel to create audience autonomy. Click here.
HJEM/YELLO - A sound walk and site-specific performance using two stereo channels to create audience interaction and to explore local nature. Click here.
Med Kroppen På Opdagelse - An interactive dance performance using three stereo channels to initiate audience interaction. Click here.
Se Byen Vertikalt - An interactive site-specific performance using two stereo channels to initiate audience interaction and to alter the individuals performative soundscape. Click here.
Se Skolen Vertikalt - An interactive site-specific performance using two stereo channels to initiate audience interaction and to create a constant soundscape over multiple distinct performance areas. Click here.