Review: Manchester International Festival 2019
THE Manchester International Festival 2019 gave me a cornucopia of experiences across the whole spectrum of the arts in venues across the city.
My MIF19 commenced with the launch in Cathedral Gardens, joining over 4,000 people ringing Yoko Ono’s Bells For Peace, and participating in a mass rendition of John Lennon’s Give Peace A Chance.
It was both moving and energising and put me in good shape to hot foot it across to the Castlefield Bowl where Janelle Monae proved to be the perfect opening act.
One of the stand-out artists of her generation, a powerful female icon for our troubled times.
She enthralled the sellout gathering with
impressive theatrics, a stunning voice combined with outspoken support for the marginalised.
Chetham’s School of Music Stoller Hall was the next venue on my MIF19 itinerary – the ideal setting for the premier of The Nico Project, an exploration of the troubled, complex mind of Nico.
Moving, challenging, at times uncomfortable but a thoroughly engaging experience – a stunning tour de force of Maxine Peake’s creative abilities, in collaboration with director Sarah Frankcom, composer Ann Clyne and writer EV Crowe.
Over to HOME for the final show in the threenight David Lynchinspired series led by musician and long-time Lynch associate Chrysta Bell.
She was joined by two of today’s most inventive musicians who played two sets specially conceived for MIF19.
Japanese vocalist Hatis Not enthralled with her singular and unique blend of Japanese classical music and avant-garde pop.
Oliver Coates, who has worked with everyone from Radiohead to Steve Reich, gave a stunning solo performance of cello and electronic music.
Chrysta Bell, singer, songwriter, model, and actress from Texas, explored her creative relationship with David Lynch with a set that included ‘dream pop’ from the two albums they released together and songs from her We Dissolve album.
An evening of ethereal and sensual music tinged by David Lynch’s unique surrealism.
My final MIF19 experience put the icing on my MIF19 cake.
Fifty years after man first landed on the Moon, Laurie Anderson with fellow artist Hsin-Chien Huang, in the intimate Studio at the Royal Exchange Theatre, gave me an unforgettable dreamlike VR experience. To the Moon was my own lunar exploration.
An awe-inspiring 15 minutes of VR creativity.