Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan – Just Dropped in Records

 

Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan – Just Dropped in Records.

by Pete Clemons

Before I ramble on the first thing I need to comment on is how the PA and speakers at 'Just Dropped In' have clearly been upgraded this year. Certainly since my last visit. The sound quality within this cavernous record shop within the Fargo complex just off Gosford Street was extraordinarily good. I walked into this event slightly late, just as a support was on, and I immediately noticed how the audio system has been vastly improved. And this played into the hands of the main event, namely

Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan, perfectly.

The Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan is a musical project by artist Gordon Chapman-Fox that explores the history, idealism, and broken promises of Britain's post-World War II New Towns, particularly Warrington and Runcorn. Its purpose is to create music that "soundtracks" this era, reflecting its utopian ideals, futuristic visions, and the subsequent decline and lost opportunities, using retro-futuristic electronic music to evoke both nostalgia for a bright future that never fully arrived and to comment on modern issues like the North-South divide.

Gordon Chapman-Fox primarily uses analogue synthesizers and electronics for his Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan project. He also incorporates digital tools, such as software synthesizers and orchestral sound libraries, for his ambient work.

Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan, a musical project, does not have a traditional "set list" of songs for a single performance, but rather a discography of albums and tracks that are performed live. This makes each performance unique.

W-RNTDP is a musical journey lasting approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. The adventure begins within a brutal city centre, winding its way through, and touching on, every aspect of a time gone by, the good and not so, then returning to the brutal. Cities, factory life and manufacturing, housing of all kinds, factory leisure, schools, transport, growing up, even town planning come under the microscope. No dissent, no views are displayed though. Just a journey back in time using tools of today to convey it.

Pubs, clubs and the bands, discos along with the characters also come under the spotlight. It is an absolutely brilliant concept, totally compelling and quite wonderful.

I guess, in a way, the project serves as an artistic exploration and record of the New Towns movement, which aimed to alleviate housing shortages and create modern, well-planned communities after the war.. It explores the idealism vs. reality.

Gordon Chapman-Fox's music highlights the ambitious, optimistic vision of a green, healthy, and convenient life in the new towns, contrasted with the eventual run-down and dysfunctional reality that often followed.

Is it supposed to be enjoyed or are we expected to come away angry and dismayed. I have not a clue. All I know is, and it possibly comes from the fact I grew up in similar circumstances and a lot of the visuals I recognise, but I come away with a yearning for that past and grateful to be thrust back into it. If only for a short while.