Underwater Concert Held in Asia for the First Time

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. ensemble / ɑnˈsɑːmbəl / (n) – a group of people who perform together
    Example:

    The ensemble practiced really hard days before its concert.


  2. biennial / baɪˈɛnijəl / (adj) – taking place once every two years
    Example:

    The competition has a biennial schedule, so the participants will have two years to prepare.


  3. submerge / səbˈmɚʤ / (v) – to go under the surface of water
    Example:

    The divers submerged in the ocean to look for the missing ring.


  4. rigorous / ˈrɪgərəs / (adj) – strict or demanding
    Example:

    The team’s rigorous training contributed to its win during the championship game.


  5. get the hang of (something) / gɛt ðə hang ʌv / (idiom) – to understand how to do something
    Example:

    I got the hang of playing the guitar after a month of practice.


Article

Read the text below.

A band performed the Asian debut of its underwater concert in Hong Kong in October.


The ensemble called Between Music is composed of five members from Denmark. Before visiting Hong Kong, it has been to 36 countries to hold its concert titled AquaSonic.


The AquaSonic concert in Hong Kong was held during the country’s New Vision Arts Festival, a biennial event that features different kinds of performers. During the concert, the members of Between Music were submerged in individual aquariums while singing and playing instruments.


To carry out AquaSonic, Between Music underwent years of rigorous research and training. The band worked with experts to create instruments that sounded good underwater. Some of the instruments they made were underwater gongs, percussions, and a violin.


After creating instruments, the band members underwent breathing training with divers and yoga instructors. Because the artists do not use diving gears while performing, they had to get the hang of holding their breath for long periods of time. They needed to learn how to swim up for air at the right time to avoid ruining their songs’ rhythm.


Laila Skovmand [SKUHV-mund], the co-founder and vocalist of Between Music, came up with the idea for the band’s underwater concerts. She said that people nowadays are detached from the environment. Hence, she wants the band’s music to become an instrument in restoring people’s connection with nature.


Skovmand’s co-founder Robert Karlsson admitted that although doing AquaSonic is very challenging, Between Music is driven by its passion to develop new art.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Would you be interested to see the AquaSonic concert? Why or why not?
• Do you think underwater concerts will be popular in the music industry? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• If you could come up with a unique performance, what would it be? Why?
• What preparations do you think would be needed for this performance?