In what would have been Delia’s 80th birthday year, we held a special DD Day 2017 cultural heritage event at Band on the Wall, Manchester, UK. Thanks to everyone who came along, took part in and supported the day, we hope it was memorable for you too.
Our daytime workshops for children and adults were fully booked, with many learning electronic music production and sound recording techniques for the first time. Participants were supported to work with found sounds and sound loops like Delia did. Plus there was the opportunity to try out the MS20-mini and ARP Odyssey synthesisers on loan from Korg UK. A highlight was the attendance of our trustee Brian Hodgson (colleague and friend of Delia as well as working on Dr Who for many years) who was himself inspired by the workshops. One parent got in touch to say: “A day later my daughter was getting to grips with LMSS freeware…well it worked for New Order!”
For our evening live event we were excited to welcome Delia’s friends and colleagues from The BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Dick Mills, Brian Hodgson and Mark Ayres joined us to share memories of Delia and insights into her working methods including “How we made the Dr Who theme.” Here is a short excerpt from the panel discussion from Dick,
Further insight into the sonic treasure trove that is the Delia Derbyshire archive held at The John Rylands Library was provided through Dr David Butler’s 17 minute audio archive sharing accompanied by an exquisite film from Andrea Pazos inspired by Delia’s archive, music and tactile working methods.
A packed Band on the Wall audience were wowed by new Delia inspired art commissions and live performances. From Tracey Zengeni’s energetic live painting responding to a mesmerising new composition by Manuella Blackburn. The Architects of Rosslyn brought the house down with their intricate and visceral live electronic score accompanying Di Mainstone’s uniquely surreal films. One audience member said “Humble and engaging speakers with incredible stories to share, fantastic music and cross media performances too.”
Our first ever DD Day marketplace proved extremely popular and we so appreciated our team of generous volunteers who supported our workshops, ran the shop and interviewed audience members with energy and enthusiasm.
With mammoth thanks to our funders Heritage Lottery Fund, supporters Korg and Apesoft, we are thrilled that Delia Derbyshire and the work of DD Day continues to inspire the next generation of music makers and audiences.
Final thank yous to Heritage Lottery Fund for supporting this DD Day 2017 MCR and of course Delia Derbyshire herself for being so inspiring!
