Jon Sterckx - Drumscapes

“Few percussionists, no matter how skilled, can captivate and keep an eager festival audience with a solo performance but Jon Sterckx’s stunning Drumscapes are a masterclass in control and rhythm that hook the audiences from the first beats and carry them through to an invariably ecstatic climax.
Centred on the tabla, darabuka and riq (a Middle Eastern tambourine) Jon combines beats and rhythms from across the globe with cutting edge sampling and innovative vocal sculpting, building layered soundscapes that mix the experimental with the traditional and creating a uniquely intoxicating, exhilarating and, many say, trance inducing performance quite unlike any other.” Musicport Festival 2015. - Musicport

“I’m literally being blown away by Jon Sterckx – besides being a multi instrumentalist & percussionist…he is also a voice sculptor! – Maanga Shaanti – co-organiser of Eastern Electronic Festival. - Maanga Shaanti

“This infectious and uplifting show is a masterclass in rhythm and control – whilst at the same time being a chance for the crowd to let themselves go and throw themselves into the wonderful world of movement and dance.” – John Bownas / Beautiful Days Festival. - John Bownas

“It was night of layered sounds and textures that transported the mind and imagination. Jon Sterckx’s drumscapes were the pinnacle of this sentiment. A revolving door of percussion instruments were played into his computer and spat out with an energising fruitfulness. The permutation seemed endless, the avenues that lay before us boundless and his performance understandably spoke of freedom. With a drum as big as the moon sitting on his knee he conjured up the image of a storyteller. While his sound spoke in a tribal voice that swelled in the pit of our stomachs. ” Alban Low review of Drumscapes at Rich Mix, London. - Alban Low

“Jon provides a unique journey through all quarters of the world built around his inter-continental range of drums: tablas, riq, darabuka, vocal percussion, and much more! He is the creator of magnificent soundscapes that will transport you into an unmissable musical nirvana!” – DJ Ritu – DJ, radio presenter, world music pioneer. - DJ Ritu

TEDxWarwick 2012 was taken to the next level and its new venue (the Butterworth Hall) could hold 1800 people. It still sold out. The event was once again brilliant and I can't imagine any of of the attendees having left the event feeling at least a little bit inspired or more knowledgable. I'm not here to talk about the event though - we will be publishing an article summarising the event in the next few days.

I want to talk about the moment when over 1000 people stood up and started dancing.

I want to talk about the moment that Jon Sterckx started his performance. He began with a few words, reminding us of a TED talk we saw earlier in the day. In that video, we see a man, described as a 'lone nut' dancing by himself. Yet soon he finds himself with one 'follower', becoming a leader - and many more then join. You can watch that three-minute talk, entitled 'How to Start a Movement' here:

Jon Sterckx invited the crowd to be that one 'lone nut' and start dancing and then started performing. Using a mixture of percussion instruments and modern technology, he created a beautiful sound. That's when Sylvester Vijay, a TEDxWarwick team member, spontaneously took to the stage and started dancing; he didn't just shuffle either - in the words of one of the speakers: "He really put himself out there!"

Soon afterwards the majority of the crowd stood up and started clapping in unison to a beat. Sylvester meanwhile went off the stage and started to collect 'followers' who joined him in a congo line. As he returned back to the stage he was joined by at least 50 attendees who danced alongside him - and many more later joined the group. The energy in the room was incredible; attendees dancing on stage, the entire crowd standing up and dancing along, all to a sound being created by one man - http://www.jonsterckx.co.uk - Siraj Datoo - The Student Journals

TEDxWarwick 2012 was taken to the next level and its new venue (the Butterworth Hall) could hold 1800 people. It still sold out. The event was once again brilliant and I can't imagine any of of the attendees having left the event feeling at least a little bit inspired or more knowledgable. I'm not here to talk about the event though - we will be publishing an article summarising the event in the next few days.

I want to talk about the moment when over 1000 people stood up and started dancing.

I want to talk about the moment that Jon Sterckx started his performance. He began with a few words, reminding us of a TED talk we saw earlier in the day. In that video, we see a man, described as a 'lone nut' dancing by himself. Yet soon he finds himself with one 'follower', becoming a leader - and many more then join. You can watch that three-minute talk, entitled 'How to Start a Movement' here:

Jon Sterckx invited the crowd to be that one 'lone nut' and start dancing and then started performing. Using a mixture of percussion instruments and modern technology, he created a beautiful sound. That's when Sylvester Vijay, a TEDxWarwick team member, spontaneously took to the stage and started dancing; he didn't just shuffle either - in the words of one of the speakers: "He really put himself out there!"

Soon afterwards the majority of the crowd stood up and started clapping in unison to a beat. Sylvester meanwhile went off the stage and started to collect 'followers' who joined him in a congo line. As he returned back to the stage he was joined by at least 50 attendees who danced alongside him - and many more later joined the group. The energy in the room was incredible; attendees dancing on stage, the entire crowd standing up and dancing along, all to a sound being created by one man - http://www.jonsterckx.co.uk - Siraj Datoo - The Student Journals

"I have booked Jon Sterckx many times to perform at Exeter Respect Festival, the city's annual celebration of diversity. Jon has performed solo, in a duo and in larger groups and has always been nothing short of excellent. He has been easy to work with and his performances have been of the highest quality, combining great musical skill with technical expertise, and creating percussive soundscapes which have always enthralled our diverse audiences. I thoroughly recommend him." - Paul Giblin ( Exeter Respect Festival) - Exeter Respect Festival

"Jon played at The Grand Pavilion last week and everyone was completely blown away by his wonderful percussive performance. Everyone danced- his beat was infectious and uplifting. I would thoroughly recommend him!" - Tracy - Arts For the Earth event Organiser. - Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl / Arts For The Earth

"Jon Sterckx’s performance brought a whole new dynamic to our event, it was stimulating and inspiring and the audience loved him."

"Jon has been a pleasure to work with and we loved having him as part of TEDxWarwick 2012. His performance was definitely the highlight of our event and watching 1000 people get up and dance to Dhaginatak will not be easily forgotten! "

"The entertainment after lunch was a particular highlight - when the whole crowd started dancing and spontaneously took over the stage!"

"Loved the music session after lunch - Mr Sterckx!"

"Jon Sterckx’s performance was my favourite part" - TEDxWarwick

"Jon Sterckx’s performance brought a whole new dynamic to our event, it was stimulating and inspiring and the audience loved him."

"Jon has been a pleasure to work with and we loved having him as part of TEDxWarwick 2012. His performance was definitely the highlight of our event and watching 1000 people get up and dance to Dhaginatak will not be easily forgotten! "

"The entertainment after lunch was a particular highlight - when the whole crowd started dancing and spontaneously took over the stage!"

"Loved the music session after lunch - Mr Sterckx!"

"Jon Sterckx’s performance was my favourite part" - TEDxWarwick

"Drumscapes produces spectacular electro-tabla live sampling performances with all instruments played, sampled and processed on stage. Fusing Indian tabla with Middle Eastern & West African traditions its like nothing you've heard on the dancefloor before" - Band On The Wall, Manchester

"Drumscapes produces spectacular electro-tabla live sampling performances with all instruments played, sampled and processed on stage. Fusing Indian tabla with Middle Eastern & West African traditions its like nothing you've heard on the dancefloor before" - Band On The Wall, Manchester

"Jon Sterckx - Drumscapes - This gifted drummer, percussionist and tabla player has performed in a variety of styles and formats, including contemporary fusion and Indian classical. Using a wide range of instruments, samples and vocals, his energetic and idiosyncratic soundscapes exist where tradition meets experimentation. Tongue Twister relies on a vocal phrase for it's rhythmic base yet accentuates it's electronic components, making for a rewarding final production. Res09 has a metallic feel, Undercurrent highlights Eastern flavours and the last track, Rack - It, has the makings of a rave classic. Fascinating." Keith Ames, Musician Magazine. - Musician magazine

Devon-based percussionist, John Sterckx, dazzled the crowd with his modern twist on traditional Asian music. - Falmouth People

Devon-based percussionist, John Sterckx, dazzled the crowd with his modern twist on traditional Asian music. - Falmouth People

What made TEDxWarwick unique, for my money, is its interactive nature. That also makes it really rather difficult to describe, but I hope that this excerpt from the live blog dispels any impression that the day was dominated solely by earnest ideas and quiet contemplation. For all the inspirational talk, my favourite part of the day was drummer Jon Sterckx’s performance…



2.39: So the drumming begins, and a man in a suit has appeared on the stage and started dancing. Quite well. And, er, now he's wandering round the audience, and they're standing and clapping along in time with him! He's now leading a conga line past me, as I type away feeling a little bit boring.



Remarkable.



2.40: They're flooding onto the stage here - 10, 20, maybe 30 of them dancing to the rhythm Sterck is creating.



2.42: Now the audience members are waving their arms. The whole room has gone nuts. And all started by one man. He's got them all pulling off the same moves at the same time, and he's even taking off his tie. You know it's about to go down when the suited dancing man loosens his tie...



2.44: And there was I thinking that I wouldn’t have much to write about in this performance!

You can actually watch the performance here, if you don’t believe me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNfV0wNsXwk - Tom Newham - The Student Journals

What made TEDxWarwick unique, for my money, is its interactive nature. That also makes it really rather difficult to describe, but I hope that this excerpt from the live blog dispels any impression that the day was dominated solely by earnest ideas and quiet contemplation. For all the inspirational talk, my favourite part of the day was drummer Jon Sterckx’s performance…



2.39: So the drumming begins, and a man in a suit has appeared on the stage and started dancing. Quite well. And, er, now he's wandering round the audience, and they're standing and clapping along in time with him! He's now leading a conga line past me, as I type away feeling a little bit boring.



Remarkable.



2.40: They're flooding onto the stage here - 10, 20, maybe 30 of them dancing to the rhythm Sterck is creating.



2.42: Now the audience members are waving their arms. The whole room has gone nuts. And all started by one man. He's got them all pulling off the same moves at the same time, and he's even taking off his tie. You know it's about to go down when the suited dancing man loosens his tie...



2.44: And there was I thinking that I wouldn’t have much to write about in this performance!

You can actually watch the performance here, if you don’t believe me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNfV0wNsXwk - Tom Newham - The Student Journals