Joe Fuller: Entertainment

Fort Process: a unique sound and art festival where you can explore Newhaven Fort

I couldn’t attend Fort Process last time (its debut year 2014) but heard great things after the fact. I have attended Newhaven Fort before, but on a school trip where I vaguely remember a fake bomb raid and getting a fine toy tank. Fort Process should instil more profound musical memories however.

Festivals can often feel a bit samey but Fort Process offers a vastly different experience, where punters can explore a warren of tunnels to find performances in chambers and bolt holes, or stay above ground to discover gun emplacements, laboratories and more.

A change from prescribed performance norms

The bill is of a startlingly high quality and a must-go for any fans of experimental music, or someone wanting to try something truly different. Over 100 artists are on the extensive programme, including noise musician Toshimaru Nakamura (who might appeal to fans of Ben Frost). Seijiro Murayama’s hypnotic drumming should be an enthralling experience, Pierre Bastien uses music making kinetic sculptures and Limpe Fuchs will be bringing large scale instruments crafted from metal and found objects.

Writer/musician David Toop is another coup for the festival. Toop’s interest in improvisation might translate into his appearance, for he is spurning the conventional formats of talk or discussion and no one knows what to expect. It’s a refreshing change from prescribed performance norms that epitomises the tone of the whole event.

Go online to explore the impressive full programme, which also features site-specific sound installations, talks, films, poetry and workshops.

Fort Process, Newhaven Fort, 3 September, 12-10pm, £35
(or less if purchasing group tickets), fortprocess.co.uk
Photo Credit: Agata Urbaniak