Ground Control Touring

“I want to make a show where it mattered who was there”
Alabaster uses his performances as a vehicle through which to encourage his audiences, to recognise them and appreciate them for the simple – yet laudable – act of living. With a method he refers to as “live development” he champions empowerment-through-creativity, primarily in his candid and vulnerable interactions with his musicians, and the audience. The result, unique to each occasion, has inspired comments like “The guy absolutely blew my mind” – Gilles Peterson, BBC; “a reminder of how vital and adventurous music can be” – Laura Barton, The Guardian.

2020’s LP ‘To Cy & Lee: Instrumentals Vol. 1’ (International Anthem, Lost Map, Total Refreshment Centre) transformed Alabaster’s audience into an international one, with a campaign so abundant with warmth and goodwill, that it resulted in an immediate collaboration with Bon Iver on a single release ‘PDLIF’ raising money for much-needed PPE during the pandemic. The album, named after two men with learning difficulties, referred to as ‘fellow artists’, with whom Alabaster once worked as a support worker, arrived just in time to bring great peace and relief to many during the fear of the pandemic. “Uncategorisable in the best way” – Record Collector; “Life-affirmingly beautiful… surely one of the best for 2020” Ammar Kalie, The Guardian; “This album is perfect therapy for the planet right now” – Gilles Peterson, BBC.

Two years prior his Lost Map release “The Corner of a Sphere” (produced by Danalogue of the Comet is Coming) was nominated for Worldwide Awards Album of the Year, and toured throughout Europe, following 19 monthly concerts in legendary underground jazz & soul music venue the Total Refreshment Centre, Hackney, London.