Semibreve 2026: Qasim Naqvi & Steven Wendt

Just as the title of this concert suggests (howlround refers to the circular howl of acoustic feedback, a sound that devours itself) this debut performance at Semibreve will bring to the stage a sense of circularity, both musical and visual. Qasim Naqvi, on modular synthesizers, creates and manipulates sounds that are born and live within these closed circuits; Steven Wendt, by capturing his own projections, generates a looping visual effect. Together, they construct and navigate a collaborative audiovisual labyrinth of endless possibilities within a series of finite yet unpredictable parameters. Howlround is a mysterious, mutating, and futuristic creature, yet one that also exudes a certain analogue charm through sounds, images, and equipment from the past, as both artists are skilled artisans. We recognise Qasim as the drummer for Dawn of Midi, while Steven is a visual artist, puppeteer, and set designer known for his innovation in shadow theatre and the manipulation of light. Minimalism, plenty of imagination, and the art of building worlds with few materials.

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Commissioned by Semibreve under Re-Imagine Europe, a programme co-funded by the European Union.