A trio of illuminated sonic pendulums set in motion by the invisible push and pull of magnetic fields creates a multi-channel, spatialised sound performance where sounds move through space following the motion of each swinging light.

Following a residency at Instrument Inventors Initiative (iii) in the Hague, Netherlands back in 2024, I have been gradually developing the instrument I prototyped there to explore multi-channel spatial audio performance. The video above shows extracts from a 22 channel performance at BEASTdome at the University of Birmingham at CrossCurrents festival, February 2026.

At iii, I created a trio of pendulums set in motion by switching magnetic polarities. LEDs on each tip and light sensor arrays below track their movement, allowing me to spatialise audio samples and process live synths in real time, moving sound through space in direct response to each pendulum’s swing to create an audio-visual synthesis.

I was thrilled to be invited to perform at BEASTdome, to create a 22 channel version. The soundworld combines electromagnetic recordings, radio waves, wind harps, weather data, modular synth, granulation, hydrophone and geophone recordings. I worked with programmed Matthew Olden, who programmed the MAX patch I use for live performance.

The ideas were inspired by reading current theories on how birds sense the weak magnetic field of the earth, through quantum entangled particles in their eyes. Read more about the first iteration and research residency here.

Alongside developing and touring this live performance, I’m also developing an installation based on the pendulum idea and interface… watch this space ! I’ve previously performed with the pendulums in various configurations at iii, The Hague; BEASTdome, Birmingham; Cafe OTO, London; StrangeBrew and Redcliffe Caves, Bristol; The Anthony Burgess Centre, Manchester; Östra Hoby, Sweden; and Bath Spa University… Below are some images from previous shows.

Magnetic Resonance was developed and supported on a research residency at iii (Instrument inventors) in The Hague, NL during spring 2024 with further development from Arts Council England DYCP programme.