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We Walked 870 Miles and Played 50+ Gigs. Here’s Why the Future of Music Is Local and Sustainable
By the summer of 2023, we were fed up with traditional touring.
The long hours of driving were taking a toll on our physical health. The late nights and lack of routine were wearing down our mental health. And the flights, cars, and plastic-wrapped service station sandwiches weren’t doing the environment any favours either.
So, in the autumn, we set off on an 870-mile experiment in sustainable gigging.
In this talk, we’ll share the key lessons we learned from our journey:
- – The most powerful musical experiences come from local, intimate performances—not huge concerts that are all about status.
- – Why a music ecosystem policy is essential, and how the concept of ‘music cities’ could reshape the industry.
- – The role of ‘musicking’ and the musician’s place in society from an evolutionary perspective
Join us as we explore how this adventure transformed the way we think about music, community, and the environment—and how the future of music can thrive by staying local.
About the Speakers
Chris Roberts’ training in classical guitar means he soars effortlessly through jigs and reels with an unrivalled purity in his steel-string playing. His performances across the UK and Europe have been praised for their “beautifully varied timbres, real virtuosity” and for being “simply mesmerising” (The British and International Federation of Festivals).
As well as playing with Filkin’s Drift, Chris tours with pop singer Tanita Tikaram, writes lullabies with new parents, and delivers workshops in SEND schools. When he’s not playing music, you can usually find Chris up a hill or by some water. But he’s probably still thinking about guitar.
Seth Bye is a violinist, composer and educator. He has performed in venues from the Royal Albert Hall to the Cecil Sharpe House and at festivals including Boomtown, Greenman and Shambala.
Aside from Filkin’s Drift, Seth performs with long acclaimed Balkan band, The Destroyers, recently featured on BBC 1 opening the commonwealth games.
He has toured with Giffords Circus, playing fiddle, banjo and accordion. When he is not on stage, Seth loves to climb trees and swim in rivers.