Press room

Paraorchestra and The Breath present Symbiosis

Following its world premiere at BBC Proms Bristol in August 2025, Symbiosis — a major new collaboration between Paraorchestra, award-winning duo The Breath (Ríoghnach Connolly and Stuart McCallum), and Ivor Novello-winning composer Oliver Vibrans — now receives its London premiere at the Barbican in April 2026. 

The Breath are celebrated for music that begins in folk but stretches far beyond, embracing psychedelia, folklore and improvisation. Connolly’s powerful voice and flute combine with McCallum’s guitar and electronics to create songs that are expansive, emotionally direct, and delivered with sharp wit and a grounded stage presence.

In Symbiosis, The Breath’s music is reimagined through the orchestrations by Vibrans for Paraorchestra’s 20-piece ensemble. Writing for rare and unusual instruments, Vibrans expands their sound into something both intimate and symphonic, creating rich new textures that magnify and transform the duo’s music into lush, unpredictable, and resonant landscapes.

Named Best Ensemble at the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards, Paraorchestra bring their inventive energy to this collaboration. Conducted by Artistic Director Charles Hazlewood, the ensemble operates as a living ecosystem of sound, amplifying and reconfiguring The Breath’s songs into vivid new landscapes.

Produced by the Barbican
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SUPPORT ACT ANNOUCED

Public Service Broadcasting with the London Contemporary Orchestra

+ Hamish Hawk

Acclaimed British band Public Service Broadcasting to give two performances of their latest album The Last Flight, together with the London Contemporary Orchestra, at the Barbican in October 2025.  

Conjuring stirring archival narratives with cinematic rock, electronics and orchestra, J. Willgoose, Esq. and the band bring their latest record to life with a 20-piece string section from the London Contemporary Orchestra. Performing The Last Flight (SO Recordings, 2024), inspired by the final voyage of America’s pioneering female 'aviatrix' Amelia Earhart, as well as other material from across their career, this unique concert will merge past, present and the future in sound.

Following rave reviews during their UK tour of The Last Flight in October 2024, including a five-star review from The Guardian, they return in 2025 to the stage to elevate their album to extraordinary new heights.

Support comes from Scottish singer-songwriter Hamish Hawk for the 8pm show. The 3pm show will run without a support artist.

Generously supported by Trevor Fenwick and Jane Hindley.

Produced by Barbican

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