Coastal Electronauts Estuary Waves

The Coastal Electronauts' Estuary Waves at Fourth Portal was marked by a powerful performance from Graham Dowdall, known as Gagarin, who sadly passed on 16 June 2024, soon after this event. His set blended deep ambient textures with atmospheric soundscapes, a poignant reminder of his immense talent and immersive performance.

Estuary Waves featured a diverse lineup from the Coastal Electronauts' collective, including Sophie Sirota’s haunting melodies, Shape Navigator’s intricate sonic explorations, and AnalogueMechanic’s unpredictable synth improvisations. Smelliott’s glitch-infused set, the Freegk Brothers’ hypnotic drones, and whthponsfpshthtbttn?'s provocative fusion of noise added to the night’s experimental energy.

Visual artist diz_qo’s reactive projections seamlessly synchronised each performance with the stunning architecture of St. Andrew's, home to the Fourth Portal.

The evening was a rich, immersive tribute to experimental sound, with Gagarin’s set leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. Watch excerpts below.

• Gagarin – A pioneering electronic artist, Gagarin performed an atmospheric set filled with deep ambient textures. Blending field recordings with experimental rhythms, he created an immersive sonic journey.

• Sophie Sirota – A classically trained musician, Sophie Sirota explored the intersection of experimental electronics and contemporary composition. Her performance wove haunting melodies with layered textures, producing an ethereal yet powerful soundscape.

• Shape Navigator – Shape Navigator pushed the boundaries of sonic abstraction with a dynamic electronic set. Using modular synthesis and evolving loops, their performance transported the audience through intricate, shifting sound environments.

• AnalogueMechanic – Specialising in hardware-driven improvisation, AnalogueMechanic crafted evolving sequences using vintage synths and custom-built effects. His set explored raw sound, balancing structure with unpredictability.

• smelliott – Smelliott delivered an experimental set blending glitch aesthetics and fractured rhythms. Merging lo-fi textures with intricate beat structures, he offered a unique take on electronic composition.

• Freegk Brothers – The Freegk Brothers performed a hypnotic set combining drone and pulsating electronic rhythms. Their music created an expansive, trance-like atmosphere, drawing from avant-garde and psychedelic influences.

• whthponsfpshthtbttn? – A cryptically named artist, whthponsfpshthtbttn? presented a boundary-pushing live set. Fusing noise, spoken word, and manipulated audio fragments, they delivered a provocative and immersive experience.

• diz_qo (Visuals) – Visual artist diz_qo provided abstract, reactive projections that synchronised with the live performances. Their work enhanced the event with shifting colours, glitch aesthetics, and immersive motion graphics.