Josh Davis marks 30 years of his seminal debut by stripping back the samples for a full orchestral reimagining at London’s Barbican.
DJ Shadow is taking his 1996 blueprint to the Barbican on December 18. Instead of the MPC60, Josh Davis will lead the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus through a total reinterpretation of ‘Endtroducing.....’ under the direction of Jules Buckley.
The Mo’Wax classic—famed as the first album built entirely from samples—requires a precision hand to translate to a live ensemble. This one-off performance moves beyond a simple tribute, utilizing new arrangements to bridge the gap between golden-era crate digging and formal orchestration.
Buckley’s previous work with Jon Hopkins and Lianne La Havas suggests a nuanced execution rather than a gimmick. Shadow himself notes that the collaboration offers a way to explore the record's sonic architecture through entirely different physics.
For those outside London, the performance will eventually hit the airwaves via BBC 6 Music and BBC Sounds. Tickets are now available through the Barbican box office.