Oct 12 – Subterranean explorations 2

Following a critically acclaimed debut in February 2025, Subterranean Explorations returns to The Globe with for another evening of solo bass performances. OUTRI and John Pope will each perform a  30-minute set, before Steve Lawson performs the headline set.

Steve Lawson
“Britain’s most innovative bassist, no contest” – so says Bass Guitar Magazine of solo bassist and improvisor Steve Lawson. Twenty years, countless gigs, well over a hundred albums, countless collaborations…Lawson’s musical journey is full of unlikely measures. Lauded by press and public alike, Steve’s otherworldly cinematic soundscapes, improvised live with nothing but a 6-string bass guitar, an MPC-style MIDI controller and a bewildering array of pedals have helped make him the most celebrated solo bassist in the UK and one of the most prolific recording artists around.

Through touring the world as solo artist, sideman and clinician/educator, and across a staggering number of solo and collaborative releases – well into triple figures at this point – in the last two decades, Lawson has built an uncommonly dedicated following for his particular brand of melodic, ambient, wonky electronica. Audiences are drawn in by his friendly, warm stage presence, and left spellbound by the ECM-meets-Stones Throw vibe of his captivating, all-improv solo and duo performances.

“Steve’s complex array of sound and rare, intimate touch are rapidy turning him into one of the most influential bassists in the world” – Bass Guitar magazine

“Lawson’s writing and his phenomenal command of the possibilities of looping creates a compelling and surprising variety of sounds one would never imagine the bass capable of producing.” – JazzWise

John Pope is a bass player and composer based in the North East of England. His main focus as a creative musician explores the boundaries and combinations of jazz, free improvisation, rock and experimental music. His primary projects include a chord-less quintet of Northern musicians (John Pope Quintet, Northern Line 2019 ambassador artists), an ongoing composition project blending structured pieces and free improvisation with a flexible ‘chamber group’ ensemble (developed during Sage Gatesheads ‘Summer Studios’ 2019). In addition to working in jazz he is an active member of the UK improvised music scene. He has performed solo as an improviser around the country, as well as in collaboration with internationally recognised artists, including appearances at festivals across the country (London Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, TUSK and Gateshead International Jazz Festival at the Sage) as well as internationally in prestigious venues such as Bimhuis (Holland) and Area Sismica (Italy).

OUTRI is a solo bass endeavour by established NE bass player Ian ‘dodge’ Paterson. This project takes inspiration from a love of jazz, folk, electronica, found-sound and cinematic landscapes alongside an aesthetic focus on single live recorded takes, come what may. The music combines organic shifting loops underpinned with beautiful harmonies and glitchy electronica.