At Sense Scotland, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their goals and realise their ambitions, which is exactly what The Sensatronics are doing in 2022 – performing on stage to live audiences and being paid for their talents.
After communications with the festival planners, The Sensatronics and DJ Mathew Ward were booked for this year’s Doune The Rabbit Hole Music Festival, a 3-day major music and arts festival near Callander with 12,000 revellers in a beautiful countryside setting in The Trossachs, from the 14th-17th July. The Sensatronics took to the big ‘Comhla stage on the Saturday at 2pm after they’d all taken a walk around the site to take in the festival vibe in beautiful sunshine.
John and Jaqui introduced the band and songs, giving wonderful performances of some of their own compositions and a few favourite cover songs. As their set built momentum, the crowd got bigger. Halfway through, it was time for Dylan to take to the stage, bringing his incredible improvised rapping abilities to the audience with a high energy of personal narrative to the set, with many of his lyrics relating to his life journey and his identity.
As the Sensatronics shifted up a gear again, playing their original material, Dylan conducted the crowd in some great ‘Call and Response’ audience interaction. The set built to a crescendo – each and every member giving their all to leave the audience wanting more.
Absolutely buzzing by the end, friends, family and crew congratulated them on their dynamic performance. They had done it – their first major festival and another great recognition as bona fide, fee-paid artists! This was inclusion at its best and was certainly an aspiration of all performers in The Sensatronics Band. With Dylan happily handing out autographs left right and centre, we hope that this is the first of many more to come.
From playing synthesisers with the band, Mathew, also a DJ known as ‘The Mighty Rave Ward’, then went on to play a 1-hour set in the Dance Tent, with a stunning mix of underground dance grooves: soulful house, trance and full-on techno.
Afterwards each individual was supported to go and experience their own choice of music and performance from other bands and DJs on the various stages and tents of the Festival.
The Sensatronic Lab Project team also provided workshops throughout both Saturday and Sunday for Festival attendees, with throngs of children and families playing and experimenting with the home-designed digital and electronic instruments.
Written by David McCluskey, Lead Artist at Sense Scotland