The Bays (band)

The Baysare an English group of musicians who only play liveimprovisedElectronic music.They have never rehearsed nor recorded in a studio as they do not release music commercially and are independent of record labels. Their slogan is "Performance is the Product".

The Bays
Genres	Electro Drum and bass Techno Jungle Dubstep UK garage House Big beat Dub music Hip hop Breakbeat Ambient music
Years active	2002–2011 2020–present
Labels	None
Website	thebays

Performances

The Bays gig regularly and are known for their live shows. Sets are improvised, with the band playing off the mood of the audience and the atmosphere. Performances vary from anambientset to one that is predominantlydrum and bass,typically including several genres melded into a continuous piece of music, similar to aDJset.Electro,House,Techno,Hip-hop,Trance,Ambient,Drum and bass,Dub,UK garageandBreakbeat,are all styles mixed into their sets.

They have headlinedThe Big ChillFestival and the dance tent at theGlastonbury Festivaland have played at events including the Sri LankanWOMADfestival, theHotaka Mountain Festivalin Japan,Dour FestivalandPukkelpopfestival in Belgium and theSkol Beatsfestival in Brazil. They appeared at the Glastonbury Festival in 2009 on The Glade stage with beatboxerBeardyman.

Another project saw The Bays performing their improvisations to Tom Tykwer's "Run Lola Run" film. The idea being that the original soundtrack is removed and The Bays improvise a new soundtrack in real time. They have performed this format most notably at Darling Harbour in Sydney (2009), Australia and at the Brighton Festival (2007). The most recent performance of Run Lola Run saw the current three piece line-up closing the Ilkley Film Festival in 2016.

Line up

The current members of the band are Andy Gangadeen (drums, also ofChase and Status) Chris Taylor (bass),Jamie Odell(keys), and Simon Richmond (keys).

The Bays have largely operated as a collective with key personnel including: Chris Taylor (bass), Jamie Odell, Ski Oakenfull or Tom Szirtes (keyboards) and Simon Richmond (effects and samples). Previous members includeSimon Smugg,Tom Middletonand Nick Cohen.

The Bays have performed with other artists includingHerbie Hancock,Richard Barbieri,Matt White, Mark Pritchard, Bluey,Stamina MC,The Stereo MCsTy,Hexstatic,and theHeritage Orchestra.

The Bays have done two British Council tours in Mexico (2003) and Germany (2004) to run music workshops with young musicians.

External links

• Official website
• An interview with The Bays
• 2002 Peel session (RealPlayer)
• 2002 Amsterdam & Big Chill festivals (RealPlayer)
• The Bays workshop with the British Council (mp3s & video)
• Discography of released live recordings
• Video of sessions with roots and d'n'b MCs(David Boomah,Yush,Levi Roots,Levy Sill,Top Cat&Earl Sixteen)