Wilderthorn : IMMERSE Live at Waverley Abbey*

Join Wilderthorn for an IMMERSE performance in the ancient ruins of Waverley Abbey.

Expect a meditative live music experience of improvised, etherial sounds and atmospheric textures led by Wilderthorn's emotive voice.

After a successful event here last year it feels so fitting to continue this journey, exploring more deeply the history and wonder of this monastic site through music and art.

Award-winning installation artist, Jono Retallick will be returning with a site specific piece for the night, exploring the relationship between heritage and humanity and inviting us to engage with the land as part of the performance.

Doors : 7.30pm - Head to Reception at Waverley Abbey House (not the ruins).

Please wait at the bar area before being led 'officially' on to the location of the performance.

Starts : 8pm

The event is due to take place outside so be sure to wrap up warm with appropriate footwear. Parts of the walk to the site can get muddy. Bring a rug and blanket with you to create your own nest to sit, rest lie back and ‘soak in the sound’.

Following the performance there will be a Q & A with the artists in the bar area of Waverley Abbey House.

Parking : Available at Waverley Abbey House :

Waverley Abbey House, Waverley Lane, Farnham GU9 8EP

For other modes of transport : https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/waverley-abbey/directions/

PLEASE NOTE : If the weather is bad the performance will take place in a special room in the shelter of the beautiful Waverley Abbey House.

Wilderthorn (AKA Jon Bilbrough) is known for Secret Gigs in disused and abandoned spaces, turning forgotten places of history and atmosphere into wild and magical ‘Wilderthorn-experiences’. His performances sway between song and improvised territory, driven by Jon’s unique and powerful, emotive voice, tinged with dark operatic tones and folk-style flourishes.

As a singer Jon has worked with award winning composer, Nitin Sawhney, members of the platinum selling rock-band, Athlete, The London Bulgarian Choir and renowned conceptual – electronic producer, Max Cooper.

Along his travels he has shared the stage with the likes of St Vincent, Ben Howard, Foy Vance and This Is The Kit.

His current work, IMMERSE ventures deep into meditative space. Building textures and sounds drawn from nature with soaring layers of wordless vocals recorded in the depths of both cave and forest.

Jono Retallick is one half of artist-duo, Musson+Retallick. His work responds to people - conversations and inhabited landscapes. Together they create experimental interventions which affect the way people behave. Those who experience and reflect on their work become the ongoing and ever changing expression of that work and, therefore, the finished work remains an unfinished conversation.

Their installations explore social constructs in contemporary society and question our understanding of community, belonging and engagement. They follow pathways, mapped lines and historic journeys, both literally and metaphorically.

Their projects have been reviewed as 'groundbreaking' by the Arts Council and received high profile critical acclaim including an International Civic Trust Award for 'Light Lines' and an enterprise award for 'Best Public Space Artwork Studio'.

The duo share a desire to see artistic stories woven into architecture and public spaces to enhance a sense of community and belonging.

Waverley Abbey was the very first monastery founded in Britain by the reforming Cistercian religious order. A small group of monks from France settled in this quiet spot by the River Wey in 1128, and Waverley soon became the springboard for Cistercian settlement in southern England. The impressive remains include the fine 13th century vaulted refectory or dining hall for the lay brothers, the Cistercians' labour force.

In more recent times, the abbey has been used as a backdrop to the films Elizabeth (1998) and Disney's Into the Woods (2014).

Waverley Abbey House (where our evening will begin and end) seeks to carry on this tradition as a modern day monastic community and a house of prayer, open to all.

Host or Publisher Wilderthorn