The sound of the underground: Leeds duo Cank plays Stump Cross

Simon Edward • September 15, 2023

On 7 October, Stump Cross Caverns will host an experimental soundscape set by experimental sound duo Cank. Get ready for a Saturday night with a difference…

On 7 October, Stump Cross Caverns will host an immersive musical set by experimental sound duo Cank. Get ready for a Friday night with a difference…

Looking for a Saturday night with a difference? On 7 October at 5 PM, Stump Cross Caverns is hosting an immersive musical experience and live performance by Leeds-based sound duo Cank.

Attendees can expect an evening of sonic experimentation inspired by the mysterious, magical atmosphere of the caves.

Join us in the depths of Stump Cross for a night of music to remember.

There's music in these here caves

Caves aren't just a feast for the eyes – though the rock formations you can see here at Stump Cross Caverns certainly fit that description. They can also be a feast for the ears.

That's because caves are natural reverberators. These primitive echo chambers are perfect for animals like bats and swiftlets to find each other with "echolocation" – the practice of sonically signalling your whereabouts, no matter where you are in the cave system.

Some scientists, in fact, think that prehistoric humans may have been echolocaters too. They may also have drawn a link between sound and vision – as archaeologist David Lewis-Williams points out in his book The Mind in the Cave: "Often you will find a concentration of cave pictures at a certain point in the cave system where there is a particularly strong audio echo."

But how about music? Would you want to listen to a band, orchestra or singer in a cave?

Well, that natural echo can be just the thing that music needs. Hearing music in a cave can be like listening to a choir in a cathedral – the rocky walls provide a sense of scale, depth and mystery.

It's not for nothing that fellow Yorkshireman Jarvis Cocker penned his "nu-troglodyte manifesto" – a witty and thought-provoking piece urging us to get back to the caves for our musical kicks.

About Cank

Cank are Simon Bradley and Mark Shahid, a sound duo from Leeds. They create experimental soundscapes from a combination of acoustic instruments (cello, guitars), synths and field recordings.

Picture of one of the members of the band

At Stump Cross, they'll be providing a live performance and immersive experience simply titled "Cavescape". Ticket holders go on a self-guided tour of the caves, soundtracked by Cank's haunting tones.

As the name suggests, the music you'll hear takes inspiration from Stump Cross Caverns' winding tunnels and eerie silence. It weaves the familiar sounds of cello and guitar with field recordings and synths, creating sonic tapestries that put us back in touch with these prehistoric spaces.

It's an event for all the family, with adults getting in for £14 a head and children £10.

So if you're looking for an evening that combines the beauty of Stump Cross Caverns with an immersive sound experience and live performance, book your tickets for "Cavescape" today.

At Stump Cross Caverns, we're proud to be a venue for interesting, out-of-the-box events and experiences. Want to learn more? Check out our calendar of events – or book your tickets for "Cavescape" online.

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