ELECTRIC MEDWAY
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BEACONS_

Beacons is a participatory performance that uses pioneering technology, new music and firelight to unravel an important story about our ecosystem.

Audiences take part in an outdoor quest to find song fragments washed ashore, carried by ancient sea gooseberries. Finds are logged on an interactive map; the more found, the more likely they are offered a glowing sea gooseberry to look after at home.

​That is, until everyone is summoned to gather for the final live performance and complete the story.

Watch Beacons in Folkestone, 2021.

About.

Beacons is a co-production between Electric Medway (formally SparkedEcho) and Creative Folkestone. It was created by Kent-based scenographer Alison Neighbour alongside sonic composer Emily Peasgood, creative technologist Tarim, wearable sound system designer Alistair Harle, and a large team of other local creatives.
​
​It was developed with funding from Arts Council England, PRS for Music Foundation, The Ashley Family Foundation, Folkestone Town Council and donations from individuals.

​
Interactive website with full production credits:
beaconsproject.uk.

Music legacy as a sound walk: explore.echoes.xyz/collections/5XIZhk6qcPdbOIvw.
​

Event photos.

Credit: Igor Emmerich.

In numbers.

1 nomination at the Ivor Novello Composer's Awards 2022
for Emily Peasgood in the Sound Art Category.

3,800 live audiences
took part in the quest and gathering.

1,513 participants 
took part in co-creation activities in the run up to the event. 

60 creative practitioners were employed
including 13 sea gooseberry guardians to oversee co-creation activities that spanned over 9 months. 

Over 51,000 social media impressions
and interactive website visits.

200 electronic sea gooseberries were fabricated
and hidden at 50 venues in shops, cafes, parks and open spaces across Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh.

5 bespoke wearable speaker systems
were built for the performers.
Electric Medway
Community Interest Company No. 10405258.
© 2015-2025 Electric Medway CIC. All rights reserved.

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Studio 7, Sun Pier House, Medway St,
​Chatham, Kent, UK. ME4 4HF.
[email protected]
Member of
Outdoor Arts UK
Outlands National Experimental Music Network
Intra Community Trust
Medway Cultural Education Partnership

Awards

​2023 Winner 
Outstanding Support from an SME to Hi3 Network Project - Hi3 Network.


2023 Finalist
Community and Outreach Partner of the Year - Canterbury Christ Church University.


2022 Shortlist
Best Arts Project - Hearts for the Arts Awards.
  • What's on
    • Full calendar
    • Festival
    • Hack
    • Young Hack
    • Men in Tech
    • Cinema Club
    • Intra Stories
    • Digital Gazebo
  • News
  • About
    • Our story
    • We are 10!
    • Team
    • Opportunities
    • Artists
    • Funders
    • Policies
  • Donate