A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 19
A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 19
A River's Song: Giving Voice to the Malago

2025

A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago

By

Synopsis

Composer Liam Taylor-West and the Bedminster community are giving voice to the hidden river through music and light

The River Malago runs quietly beneath the streets of Bedminster — often overlooked yet deeply rooted in the area’s history and ecology. From July to October 2025, composer Liam Taylor-West has been working with the local community to bring the Malago to life in sound.

A River’s Song is a collaborative composition celebrating the stories, rhythms, and connections of the river. Created and performed with the people who live along its course, the piece brings together local singers, music-makers, and residents with a deep connection to the Malago.

From cello and violin to clarinet, flute, piano, guitars, bass, percussion, voices, choir, and spoken word, the river’s sounds are reimagined through a rich and varied ensemble. The results will be shared in a series of public events in September and October 2025, that invite everyone to listen, take part, and experience the Malago in a new way.

  • A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 14 A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 14

    Image Caption

    River walk. Photo: Natalia Kida

  • A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 15 A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 15

    Image Caption

    River walk. Photo: Natalia Kida

  • A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 5 A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 5

    Image Caption

    River walk. Photo: Natalia Kida

  • A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 9 A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 9

    Image Caption

    River walk. Photo: Natalia Kida

  • A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 6 A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 6

    Image Caption

    River walk. Photo: Natalia Kida

Archive of Public Events

Public Recording Session
Saturday 27 September, 2–4pm
Philip Street Chapel, Philip St., Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4EA
Experience the first full performance of A River’s Song. The event includes audience participation: a mass choir (no experience necessary) will help create unique ‘river wash’ sound effects that will feature in the final recording.

Listening Exhibition
Thursday 2 and Friday 3 October, 5–8pm
Saturday 4 October, 12–6pm
Philip Street Chapel, Bedminster

Step inside an immersive installation of light and sound, where Taylor-West’s finished composition is presented alongside a new light artwork, created in collaboration with Bristol-based artist Zoe Broome.

Audio Walk Experience
Launches Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 October at ‘Art on the Hill’ arts trail

Explore Bedminster’s hidden river on an immersive audio walk, listening to A River’s Song while tracing the Malago’s presence through the city.

A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 8
River walk. Photo: Natalia Kida
A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 2
Intro session Photo: Natalia Kida
A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 1
Intro session Photo: Natalia Kida
A River’s Song: Giving Voice to the Malago 4
Intro session Photo: Natalia Kida

Further Reading:

A River’s Song is the culmination of an eight-month artist residency, commissioned to explore the green and blue spaces that flow through and around Bedminster Green. Commissioned by Ginkgo Projects and funded by Watkin Jones plc, with support from Bristol City Council, the project connects people with their river and with each other — making its unseen currents resonate through music.