CRACK

Watch Hannah Diamond, Ikonika, Lord Apex and Ashley Henry perform in an immersive audiovisual space

© Novation

09.12.20
Words by:

Over the past few weeks, electronic music kit company Novation have been showcasing their Launchpad and Launchkey controllers through a series of immersive live performances.

Staged on a platform in the middle of four standalone walls, musicians were invited to collaborate with a visual artist on a dynamic audiovisual performance – bringing their music to life with moving imagery and the spontaneity of the Launch devices.

First up, London producer and DJ Ikonika turned the sounds of Nobody into a cinematic experience with visuals from long-time collaborator MUNGO. Depicting a cold and dystopian world, the performance is a multi-sensory spectacle that captures two creatives expertly skilled in building worlds – MUNGO’s gloomy universe coming alive as Iknoika triggers her soundscape using Launchkey Mini.

From a murky terrain of a dystopian future to the labyrinthine streets of West London in 2020. Rising experimental UK rapper Lord Apex connects with Delphino Productions, a friend he’s had since his teens. Apex’s carefree flow finds pockets in the propulsive production which he has at his fingertips thanks to Launchpad X. Meanwhile, Delphino paints a scrapbook picture of tower blocks, backroads and hypnotic spirals to perfectly accompany the off-centre sounds of Miyagi Blueprint.

While some collaborations have lasted the best part of a lifetime, others bloom in the moment. London jazz musician Ashley Henry worked with multidisciplinary artist AyChibs on a AV incarnation of his stunning track The Mighty while reimagining the track itself using Launchkey 37. Bonding over a shared understanding of cinema and scale, Chibs and Henry found a synergy and the composition was elevated.

Like all blockbusters, a showy finale was called for. Enter PC Music alumnus and endlessly creative UK popstar Hannah Diamond armed with a customised Launchpad Pro and a suite of visuals by multimedia visual artist Daniel Swan. To the sounds of Hannah’s addictive anthem Fade Away, Swan stitches together a glistening tapestry of billboards, metallic symbols and, of course, a rainfall of diamonds.

Find out more about Novation and all the performances here #MadeToExpress

If you're a fan, become a supporter

More from Crack Magazine

Lists / 27.05.26

5 film scenes that get clubbing right

From 1996 French film ‘Clubbed to Death’ to 2017 Cannes favourite ‘120 BPM (Beats Per Minute)’, here are five times cinema got sound design right on the dance floor.

Long Reads / 22.05.26

Girls in Film on why visibility alone is not enough

Celebrating a decade of amplifying women, non-binary and trans creatives in the film industry, Girls in Film marks its 10th anniversary with the launch of a new fund supporting emerging filmmakers.

Long Reads / 22.05.26

24 hours with Raji Rags and Rabanne

As he gears up for a vinyl-only set at Hackney’s neighbourhood restaurant and listening bar, Bambi, for an event celebrating Rabanne’s new 1 Million Night Elixir, Raji Rags talks about formative clubbing connections and vinyl digging. 

Long Reads / 22.05.26

Listen to a playlist of Italian library music selected by Katatonic Silentio

Welcome back to Selections, a series of artist-curated playlists from those in the know.

Long Reads / 21.05.26

Decoding… The art of film scoring, according to Colin Stetson

Saxophonist and composer Colin Stetson unpacks the monumental process of creating an original film score, from embracing periods of deep immersion to learning how to exercise restraint and resist cliché.

Long Reads / 20.05.26

Pay it Forward: Xiu Xiu on David Lynch

With Xiu Xiu set to release an album based on their ‘Eraserhead’ live project, founding member Jamie Stewart explains the terrifying (but inspirational) impact David Lynch had on them growing up.

Your support would mean everything. Literally.

Our Supporters really do power everything we do; as an independent media publication this community is vital to sustaining us. Sign up and get a load of benefits in return, including discounted festival and event tickets.