Celebrate the Moog at 60 in Liverpool this autumn

The diamond anniversary of the invention of the Moog synthesiser will be celebrated with a special mini music festival in Liverpool this autumn.

The Moog at 60 takes place at Liverpool Hope University’s Creative Campus from November 21-24.

In 1964, American electric music pioneer Robert Moog, who also designed and sold theremins, came up with the idea for what was essentially a compact electronic music studio with a keyboard.

The Moog was born and went on to be used in the 60s by both experimental composers and by bands including The Doors, The Monkees and The Byrds. The Beatles incorporated the Moog on tracks throughout Abbey Road.

And in the 60s and 70s it became a key feature in the most innovative electronic and experimental music,  progressive rock and jazz fusion.

The Moog at 60 will pay homage to the world’s first commercial synth and its creator with a series of events over the four-day festival.

It opens on Thursday, November 21 with a show by the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble, a collective led by Goldfrapp’s Will Gregory and whose members include Portishead’s Adrian Utley and composers Graham Fitkin and Ben Foster.

Also playing are John Baggott, Graham Fitkin, Simon Haram, Vyvyan Hope-Scott, Ross Hughes, Hazel Mills, Daniel Moore, Hinako Omari, Eddie Parker, Harriet Riley and Ruth Wall, while their instruments include Minimoog, Moog Voyager, Korg 700s, Prophet 6 and Roland JX3P.

On November 22, the Capstone Theatre will host a Lydia Kavina and The Twelve Hour Foundation double bill.

Theremin player Kavina has graced stages with renowned orchestras including the London Symphony, Radio France Orchestra and the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, while The Twelve Hour Foundation has had airplay from Stuart Maconie, Gideon Coe, Pete Wiggs and Project Moonbase among others.

Above: Will Gregory. Top: Dave Bessell.

That is followed by a second double bill on November 23. Dave Bessell is a classically trained musician with a doctorate in classical orchestration, but he has also enjoyed an extensive career in pop music contributing to albums by Killing Joke and Suede. 

Meanwhile Polypores' music has been released by respected electronic music labels such as Castles In Space, Polytechnic Youth, Woodford Halse, DiN and Frequency Domain.

The long festival weekend concludes on November 24 with A Tribute to Kraftwerk: 50 Years of Autobahn and Far Beyond.

For the 50th anniversary of the pioneering German electronic group's international breakthrough album, music technology expert Mark Jenkins presents a striking live solo performance of the band’s hits.

The Capstone Theatre’s Neil Campbell says: “During the past few years, The Capstone Theatre has become a hotbed of electronic music and we have hosted many packed out nights.

“This, our first ever festival of electronic music, will be particularly special — featuring some incredible acts in celebration of the groundbreaking instrument that changes music forever. We’re thoroughly excited.”

Individual event tickets start at £16.50 and there are festival event bundles from £55.

The Moog at 60 takes place at Liverpool Hope University’s Creative Campus from November 21-24. More details and tickets HERE