SY ; Gigs, Shrewsbury, Programme for Spring 2024.

Sunday, December 29, 2024

Sy ; Gigs, the Shrewsbury based concert series curated by Chris Taylor, has announced its programme for January, February & March 2024. Events take place at Shrewsbury Unitarian Church.

From;
https://sygigs.com/

Matters Unknown
Event Details
Venue: The Unitarian
Date: 31 January, 2025
Time: 7:00pm - 10:15pm
Tickets: Book Now
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Shrewsbury/Shrewsbury-Unitarian-Church-/Matters-Unknown/40367802/
Jonathan Enser, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and brass contributor for UK afro-jazz group Nubiyan Twist, describes his new project, MATTERS UNKNOWN, as “celestial blues wrapped in contemporary global grooves.”
Raised in rural England, Enser’s love for music began early, with a passion for the trumpet guiding him to a lifelong exploration of brass. By his teens, he was performing live, and he later studied jazz with Neil Yates, graduating with honors in Jazz Performance in 2013. His journey as a session musician, mentor, and performer has taken him from New Orleans to Cuba and led to collaborations with legends like Mulatu Astatke, Pat Thomas, and Tony Allen.
With MATTERS UNKNOWN, Enser weaves soulful, spiritual influences with grooves that range from blues roots to West Coast trap, infused with African diasporic sounds. This spacious, grounded music balances urgency with calm.
To bring this vision to life, Enser has assembled some of the UK’s most innovative musicians from Nerija, Nala Sinephro, Emma-Jean Thackray’s band, Nubiyan Twist, Noya Rao, and Golden Mean. Following acclaimed singles A Beginningand BlindSpot in 2021, MATTERS UNKNOWN released Hewester, a tribute to bassist Alec Hewes, on the New Soil label, celebrating friendship, emotional connection, and rootedness.
This journey culminates with the debut album, We Aren’t Just, releasing in November 2024. The album invites listeners into a world both familiar and unexplored, with each musician’s voice adding dimension to a sound that opens space for reflection and discovery.

Voyage of the Beagle by John Biddulph + Ashia Vaughan
Event Details
Venue: The Unitarian
Date: 28 February, 2025
Time: 6:45pm - 10:15pm
Tickets: Book Now
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Shrewsbury/Shrewsbury-Unitarian-Church/Voyage-of-the-Beagle-by-John-Biddulph—Ashia-Vaughan/40420821/
Event 2.0 of Season 3.0
Multi-instrumentalist, composer, and sound designer John Biddulph is thrilled to announce his latest musical project, an exploration of sound that was inspired by Charles Darwin’s iconic text, The Voyage of the Beagle. This performance in Shrewsbury, as part of the Darwin Festival and performed in Darwin’s church, The Unitarian, will offer an auditory journey alongside Darwin’s transformative voyage, blending atmospheric compositions with world music influences to bring the naturalist’s discoveries to life.
Darwin’s The Voyage of the Beagle chronicles his 1831–1836 journey aboard HMS Beagle, a pivotal expedition that shaped his theories on evolution and the diversity of life. John’s music captures the essence of this journey, drawing inspiration from the landscapes, cultures, and ecosystems Darwin encountered.
“I wanted to create a soundtrack that would allow listeners to experience Darwin’s awe and curiosity as he traversed the globe,” said John. “Each track is a musical interpretation of a chapter or extract of text in his journey—whether it’s the wildlife of South America, the vibrant Galápagos Islands, or the vast expanse of the open sea.”
The album’s tracks with titles taken from the text blend genres such as ambient, folk, classical, and South American influenced music, featuring:
“Phosphorescence of the Sea”: An ambient track with echoes of the Atlantic and bioluminescence.
“Streams of Stones”: A haunting fusion of flute-like instruments and modern soundscapes.
“Galápagos Variations”: A multi-layered piece evoking the islands’ unique fauna.
“Homecoming”: A reflective conclusion tying together the threads of the voyage and using the organ Darwin will have heard in the Unitarian Church.
This release and performance coincide with a resurgence of interest in Darwin’s work, offering a fresh way for audiences to engage with his legacy.

An exploration of Harp & Piano – Marysia Osu & Hanakiv
Event Details
Venue: The Unitarian
Date: 29 March, 2025
Time: 6:45pm - 10:15pm
Tickets: Book Now
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Shrewsbury/Shrewsbury-Unitarian-Church/An-exploration-of-Harp—Piano—-Marysia-Osu—Hanakiv/40451016/
Event 3.0 of Season 3.0 Piano Day Special
Piano Day, is an annual worldwide event founded by a group of like-minded people. It takes place on the 88th day of the year because of the number of keys on the instrument being celebrated.
As part of International Piano Day 2025 SY.Gigs is proud to be hosting two exceptional female artists, Marysia Osu and Hanakiv (Johanna Kivimagi).
Marysia Osu is a Polish born, London based harpist, producer and composer known for her innovative blend of classical, ambient and jazz. Osu’s work reflects a deep connection to beauty, emotion and self-expression.
She is a member of Levitation Orchestra and has blessed records with the dreamy sonics of the harp for artists such as Maxwell Owin & Joe Armon Jones, Puma Blue, Alabaster dePlume, Laura Misch, Yazmin Lacey and Loyle Carner. She released her debut album “harp, beats & dreams” via Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings in 2024.
Hanakiv is a young composer and musician from Estonia (now based in London) who creates meditative piano-based ambient music with elements from classical and electronic music. ‘Goodbyes’ was her debut recording in 2023 on Matthew Halsall’s label Gondwana. She draws on influences as diverse as Tim Hecker, Björk “Vespertine”, Kara-Lis Coverdale, Arvo Pärt, Erkki-Sven Tüür and Aphex Twin as well as her own cultural heritage.

About SY.GIGS
SY.Gigs is a not-for-profit alternative ‘pop up’ music promotion venture based in Shrewsbury, UK.
The events bring together alternative music in Shrewsbury’s historic churches, creating special experiences. Each location adds its unique character, enhancing the atmosphere and deepening the connection between the audience, the music, and the town’s significant heritage.
Focusing on genres that push the boundaries of the mainstream, we aim to foster a sense of community and support well-being through the shared pleasure of immersive live music. These gatherings are more than concerts, they’re celebrations of creativity, culture, and connection.
SY.Gigs thrives thanks to the dedication of our hosts, benefactors, volunteers, partners, and a supportive community.
Special thanks go to our partners Glou Glou and Opus Media Productions, whose continued involvement makes our mission possible. Together, we keep the spirit of alternative music alive in Shrewsbury.

See also;
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100095324282062

Shrewsbury Unitarian Church,
39-40 High Street,
Shrewsbury,
Shropshire SY1 1LR.