How to read format labels
The same label can lead to a different experience depending on the equipment and space.
The same term can be used differently by different artists and organizers. Use this glossary as a guide to reading announcements, then confirm the final setup in each event’s official information.
Modular live
What does it mean?
A format in which a performer shapes sound during the event by adjusting the signal flow of a modular synthesizer assembled from oscillators, filters, sequencers, control modules and patch cables. “Modular” describes how the equipment is organized; it does not automatically mean improvisation or a particular genre.
What might an audience encounter?
The performer may repatch cables or operate knobs and switches to change timbre, rhythm and density. A modular system may also be combined with a computer, drum machine, acoustic instrument or visuals.
What to check in the announcement
Confirm whether it is a solo or collaborative set, whether other instruments or visuals are included, whether the audience is seated or standing, and whether duration or volume guidance is provided.
Live coding
What does it mean?
A performance method in which code is written or edited during the event to generate or control sound or visuals. Not every computer-based performance is live coding, and showing the code to the audience is not a requirement.
What might an audience encounter?
An editor may be projected while changes in the code affect the sound or image. The performer may use MIDI controllers or other instruments alongside a keyboard, or keep the code hidden and present only its output.
What to check in the announcement
Confirm whether the program is audio-only or audiovisual, whether the code screen will be projected, whether there is a talk or audience participation, and what seating format and duration are planned.
Fixed media
What does it mean?
A format in which the completed time structure of a work is stored in a prerecorded audio or video file and played at the venue. Playback cues, level and spatial distribution may still be operated onsite, but the core material is not newly generated there in real time.
What might an audience encounter?
There may be no visible performer onstage, while a technician starts playback or distributes sound through a multichannel speaker system. A fixed-media work may also appear between live works in the same program.
What to check in the announcement
Confirm whether the program is fixed media only or combined with live performance, whether playback is stereo or multichannel, the seating arrangement and exact start time, and whether late entry is allowed.
Electroacoustic & computer music
What does it mean?
Electroacoustic music broadly explores relationships among acoustic sound, recording, amplification and electronic processing. Computer music uses software and computational procedures for composition, synthesis or control. The two areas often overlap in one program.
What might an audience encounter?
Instruments or voices may be captured by microphones and processed live, or performers may use laptops, sensors and speaker systems. Prerecorded works, live electronics and acoustic performance can all appear in the same program.
What to check in the announcement
Confirm the exact instrumentation, whether electronics are live or fixed media, the speaker-channel setup, the running order and the total duration.
Field recording
What does it mean?
A practice that uses environmental sound recorded in nature, cities, interiors or specific locations as a main material or record. A “field recording” label does not guarantee an unedited documentary playback.
What might an audience encounter?
Recordings may be played as captured or may be cut, layered and electronically processed. Text, images, information about the location or live manipulation may also be included.
What to check in the announcement
Confirm where and in what context the material was recorded, whether the event is a concert, listening session or exhibition, whether it includes a live element, and what playback channels and seating are used.
Deep listening & listening sessions
What does it mean?
In announcements, “deep listening” may describe a general attitude of sustained, attentive listening or refer to the context of a particular listening practice. A listening session is organized around selected recordings, guidance or discussion and does not necessarily include a conventional live performance.
What might an audience encounter?
The room may use focused seating, floor seating, multichannel playback or a quiet guided activity. A host may introduce recordings and their context or invite the audience to take part in a simple listening exercise.
What to check in the announcement
Confirm what the organizer means by “deep listening,” who facilitates the session, how participation works, the playback environment, seating posture, duration and late-entry policy.
Audiovisual performance
What does it mean?
A performance designed so that sound and moving images or light form a connected structure. It differs from using visuals only as background, and its sound and image components may be live, prerecorded or a hybrid of both.
What might an audience encounter?
Screens, projection, lighting, cameras or sensors may be used, with changes in sound affecting the image or vice versa. Sightlines and position in the space can therefore affect viewing conditions.
What to check in the announcement
Confirm which sound and image elements are live, whether there is a strobe or intense-light notice, whether sightlines are provided through seating or standing placement, and the duration and entry time.
Sound performance
What does it mean?
A performance in which actions, objects, bodies, space or amplification make sound the central event. It may cross the boundary between a concert and performance art and does not name one particular music genre.
What might an audience encounter?
Performers may move through the space, activate objects, produce sound near the audience or distribute sound across several locations. There may be no conventional separation between stage and seating.
What to check in the announcement
Confirm whether the audience must move or occupy a particular position, whether participation is involved, whether loud sound or special effects are announced, the duration and whether seating is provided.
Improvised music
What does it mean?
Music in which a substantial part of the structure or detail is decided during the performance. Performers may still use agreed rules or prepared material, so improvisation does not mean randomness or lack of preparation.
What might an audience encounter?
Performers may respond to one another’s sound and silence while changing duration, density and roles. Acoustic instruments, electronic devices or a combination of both may be used.
What to check in the announcement
Confirm whether the whole set is improvised or includes composed sections, whether it is solo or ensemble, the lineup, set length and seating format.
DJ set vs live set
What does it mean?
A DJ set selects, sequences and mixes recordings that have already been released or prepared. A live set plays, generates or reshapes performance material in real time with instruments, hardware or software. Hybrid combinations of the two also exist.
What might an audience encounter?
Players and a mixer are usually central to a DJ set, while a live set may add synthesizers, controllers, computers or instruments. Either format can use continuous transitions or take place in a standing environment.
What to check in the announcement
Confirm the exact set type in the official billing, the running order of DJ and live sets, whether a set is hybrid, the operating hours, age restrictions, and whether the audience is seated or standing.