PIONEERING Dutch band Tin Man and the Telephone return to Turner Sims in virtual form during a live interactive performance next week.

As the music industry rises to the challenge of a global pandemic and life in lockdown, online streaming has, at least for the time being, become the new normal.

But what is missing, for both artist and audience, is the coming together, connecting, and enjoying a shared experience. The need to innovate has never been greater.

Now, following weeks of trials and tribulations, plus investment in the very latest Wirecast technology, Tin Men frontman, composer, pianist and electronics-guru Tony Roe delivers a show, online, with the same immersive interaction their audiences have come to expect. Using the latest technology, audiences can attend a virtual show, interacting with the band and sharing responses with fellow audience members. In this way, they become part of a community, not simply solo spectators.

Tin Men and the Telephone have always pushed boundaries. On Tuesday, they return virtually to Southampton to present their brand-new show, online, to a limited audience. This follows their performance at the venue in February 2019.

Through the use of Zoom Video software and the band’s revolutionary bespoke smartphone app, Tinmendo, audiences can become a part of their interactive show in real time.

Three years in the making, G.R.E.A.T.E.S.T (aka as ‘Global Relocation of Evolved Apes Towards Exoplanet Suitable for Terraformation’) is an immersive multimedia performance that addresses the very timely topic of global pandemics and climate change. With a twist.

As a global health crisis takes hold and the climate crisis escalates, the time has come for humanity to leave planet Earth. Audience members are on board a space ship heading towards a newly discovered planet, however, it’s far too cold! As they travel through space, they must collaborate to warm it up…

As in the real world, audiences at home are asked to download Tinmendo, type, swipe and shake to interact with the band. They can guide the set to become part of the narrative, craft melodies and create beats from which the band improvise. All this serves as a jumping off point for the band’s highly acclaimed, riveting jazz excursions that thread throughout the performance.

Here, a stunning modern jazz soundtrack, soundbites from campaigning figures and global leaders (from Greta Thunberg to David Attenborough) and offbeat visuals combine with the storyline’s twisted comedy.

Following the show, audience members are able to download the music they have created with the band via Bandcamp.

For the virtual show, which gets under way at 7pm, Tony Roe is joined by drummer Jamie Peet.

See turnersims.co.uk for more details.