John Eacott

John Eacott

Since completing his PhD, John Eacott has focussed his work on live musical performance using algorithmic composition.  Most notably Floodtide, a performance developed in 2008 during which musicians read and play notation that is generated live by the flow of tide.  The work has been performed over 70 times on tidal waterways of UK and Europe and now comes to Estuary 2016 during our Shorelines weekend to find out what the Thames tide sounds like.  Performances for Estuary 2016 feature the Southend Brass Band and musicians from London and St Nazaire, France. Floodtide is supported by Nortek.

In 2014 in collaboration with sculptor Andrew Baldwin John made a permanent Floodtide Listening Post at Trinity Buoy Wharf celebrated with performances on site and at the National Maritime Museum.  His focus for 2015 - Floodtide Navigate - was a 4000 mile sailing voyage around Europe making performances of Floodtide with local musicians while accommodating 28 artists, writers, film-makers and scientists on board his yacht who joined the voyage to pursue their own work.

As a teenager John spent time making music and sailing, passions which have shaped his life. His career began in the 1980s playing trumpet and composing with the anarchic Loose Tubes and industrial noise makers Test Dept before turning to theatre, TV, film and academia. Theatre works include Gormenghast 1991-2006, RSC Taming of the Shrew 2013, Old Vic Fortunes Fool 2014 and West Yorkshire Playhouse Great Expectations 2016.  He also teaches sailing as an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor. 

Floodtide has been performed over 70 times around Europe and UK. These three consecutive performances for Estuary Festival feature the Southend Brass Band and musicians from London and St Nazaire, France. Floodtide is supported by Nortek

Where to see


Estuary Festival is supported by

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