In 2024, Mark N Hopgood conducted a groundbreaking musical experiment at Even Flow's open mic night that redefined the boundaries between performer and audience. This innovative performance demonstrated how technology could transform a traditional solo act into a collaborative, immersive musical experience.

The Experiment: From Solo Synthesiser to Audience Orchestra

Traditionally, Mark performs on stage with his synthesiser, creating music as a solo artist. However, during this particular evening at Even Flow, he decided to turn the conventional performance model on its head. Instead of playing his synthesiser alone, Mark orchestrated an experiment where every audience member became an active participant in the musical creation.

The concept was simple yet revolutionary: rather than having one musician on stage, Mark transformed the entire audience into a distributed orchestra, with each person's smartphone becoming an instrument in a surround sound musical experience.

"All the Flavours": A Song About Ice Cream

The track performed during this experiment was "All the Flavours," a whimsical and engaging song that celebrates the diverse world of ice cream. The song's playful theme about different ice cream varieties provided the perfect backdrop for this collaborative experiment, as it naturally invited audience participation and created a lighthearted, inclusive atmosphere.

The choice of "All the Flavours" was particularly inspired, as the song's subject matter - the variety and joy of ice cream flavors - mirrored the diversity and collective joy of the audience members contributing their own musical elements to the performance.

Technical Innovation: The Tech Stack Behind the Experiment

This pioneering experiment required a sophisticated technical infrastructure to coordinate multiple devices and create a seamless musical experience. Mark's tech stack included:

• Server Infrastructure: A robust server system to handle multiple simultaneous connections and coordinate the musical elements
• PHP Backend: Server-side logic to manage user connections, synchronize timing, and distribute musical components
• JavaScript Frontend: Client-side code running on audience members' phones to generate and play musical elements
• Real-time Streaming: Technology to ensure all devices played in perfect synchronization
• Audio Coordination: Systems to blend multiple audio streams into a cohesive surround sound experience

The technical complexity of this experiment cannot be overstated. Coordinating dozens of devices to play different musical elements simultaneously while maintaining perfect timing and creating a harmonious surround sound experience required innovative solutions and careful engineering.

The Experience: Creating a Musical Community

What made this experiment truly special was how it transformed the traditional performer-audience dynamic. Instead of passive listeners, audience members became active creators, each contributing their unique musical element to the collective soundscape.

The result was a surround sound experience where music seemed to come from all directions, creating an immersive environment that enveloped everyone in the venue. This wasn't just a performance - it was a shared musical journey that brought the entire audience together in a unique way.

The experiment demonstrated how technology could be used to break down barriers between performer and audience, creating a more inclusive and participatory musical experience. It showed that music could be a truly collaborative art form, even in a live performance setting.

Legacy and Future Possibilities

This experiment at Even Flow represents more than just a one-time performance - it's a proof of concept for a new way of thinking about live music. The success of this experiment opens up possibilities for future performances and suggests new directions for musical innovation.

Mark continues to offer this experience to those who are interested. If you find yourself in Mark's presence, he can recreate this experiment, allowing you to experience firsthand how technology can transform a traditional musical performance into something truly extraordinary.

This pioneering experiment at Even Flow demonstrates how innovation, technology, and community can come together to create something unique and memorable. It's a testament to Mark's willingness to push boundaries and explore new possibilities in the intersection of music and technology.