Deliaphonic and International Woman’s Day

As this week sees International Woman’s Day, I thought it would be great to think about one of our city’s greatest women.

Coventry recently hosted its 4th Deliaphonic Festival. In collaboration with the Tin Music and Arts, Synthcurious and Coventry Cathedral, we saw a weekend of electronic music aimed at entertaining and informing all the family whilst celebrating one of Coventry’s finest female innovators. Best known for making the theme tune to Doctor Who, Delia Derbyshire would have been 80 years old this year.

A wide selection of events were staged to show how this pioneer in the world of electronic music inspired so many artists both in the past and present. Dr Alex Patterson from the Orb worked with several of his contemporaries to produce a family rave. Using bubbles, a confetti cannon, balloons and snow foam, a backdrop of ambient house music introduced children to the wonderful world of electronica whilst reminding their parents of the past rave culture. The event sold out and was a great success.

See interview below:

Toni Peach Interviews Dr Alex Patterson from The Orb

The events on the Friday and Saturday evenings were fantastic. It just goes to show how the cathedral is no longer just being used for religious ceremonies. Our forward thinking Dean John Witcombe has truly opened the doors to so much diversity lately.

My favourite part of Friday evening’s Radiophonic Workshop was Natalie Sharp, AKA The Lone Taxidermist. Four costume changes and all manner of filmic projections, along with electronic music and incredible lyrics proved to be one of the most jaw dropping performances. A film showing aspects of Cumbrian life from sheep farming, cattle auctions, gurney men and bare knuckle fist fighting, played on a huge screen above Natalie whilst she created the most bizarre performance below.

Please click on the link below to see how she works:

https://www.cafeoto.co.uk/artists/natalie-sharp-lone-taxidermist/

Jerry Dammers Steve Ashwell, Heather S Davidson

Ian Graham, Craig Shanley, John Yeadon, Heather Davidson

Heather Davidson from the Peace Orchard and Jerry Dammers

Ethan Shipley ak Custass Finnigan AKA Elektrik Custard

The highlight of Saturday evening was former member of the Specials Jerry Dammers. A huge fan of Delia Derbyshire, he produced a set nothing whatsoever to do with the Ska music he’s famous for. Using electronic music discovered in musical library archives, Jerry produced a great set. Again, using filmic visuals from old sci fi B movies and photographs of Brutalist architecture, Jerry created an event celebrating the life and works of this great woman from Coventry who it seems will never be forgotten.

There were in attendance a few famous faces; Neville Staples and his partner Christine Sugary, Jah Wobble, John Shipley and his son Ethan from Elektrik Custard, and artists John Yeadon and George Shaw. Jerry created a special set that involved projecting George Shaw’s iconic paintings, all depicting the council estate of Tile Hill, on to a huge screen. All to a backdrop of the music inspired by Delia Derbyshire.

I think its fair to say, that Delia Derbyshire, like so many very cool artists, is better know in death than in life. RIP Delia, you will never be forgotten in Coventry.

Here are few photographs and film clips to show elements of the event. Enjoy.