Description

DAN DEACON returns in February 2020 with 'Mystic Familiar', his first album in five years and the stunning result of years of obsessive work, play, and self-discovery. It's not only his most emotionally open record but also his most transcendent! Eleven kaleidoscopic tracks of majestic synth-pop that exponentially expand Deacon's sound with unfettered imagination and newfound vulnerability. Since 2015's 'Gliss Riffer', Deacon has branched out from his core body of work into a dizzying array of collaborative projects: scoring eight films, collaborating with the New York City Ballet's resident choreographer Justin Peck on the dance piece The Times Are Racing; performing expanded arrangements of his music with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; and for the first time producing and co-writing an album with friends Ed Schrader's Music Beat. Throughout all this Deacon was also working on a new suite of songs that wield the profundity of a philosopher and the absurdity of a jester. These songs make up his forthcoming 'Mystic Familiar' album, painting life as a psychedelic journey brimming with bliss and disruption, darkness and light.

Opening track "Become a Mountain" immediately announces itself as something new, for the first time ever on record presenting Dan's natural singing voice, unprocessed and with only minimal accompaniment. When Deacon proclaims "I rose up" here, it is Dan Deacon singing in the first person as Dan Deacon - a startlingly vulnerable shift in a songbook abundant with characters, metaphors, and distorted vocals. "Hypnagogic" takes us deeper into Deacon's mind, a synth swirl similar to those which have begun his recent performances, absorbing the pulse of the room and extending that abstract moment in which a journey begins. From there, 'Mystic Familiar' then takes a propulsive leap with the robotic drums and soaring melodies of "Sat By a Tree" and the four-part "Arp" suite offering up a dialectic view of life. It's an album that captures an artist mindfully evolving his music from playful beginnings to encompass a prismatic cosmos of addictive ideas, melody and purpose! This special Scala show celebrates the release of 'Mystic Familiar' and Dan's long-awaited return to his spiritual kingdom of London!

Description

Scala is located in a beautiful multi-purpose venue in the regenerated King’s Cross area, on the north side of central London very close to Kings Cross and St Pancras Station. The building incorporates four main floors and accommodates events for around a thousand people.

The Scala hosts regular weekend club nights and is also a very popular venue for live music on week nights. Scala’s history of live music performances from 1999 to present include Tiesto, Bastille, Ed Sheeran, Killers, Nine Inch Nails, Bombay Bicycle Club, Snarky Puppy, Rival Sons, Kaiser Chiefs, Run DMC, J Mascis, Sonic Youth, Rita Ora, Rhianna, Jessie J, Die Antwood, Taylor Hawkins, Carl Barat, First Aid Kit, New York Dolls, Lana Del Ray and Foo Fighters.

The main room is spread across a series of terraces with a low dancefloor and low stage. There’s a long balcony on one side of the room accessed from the mezzanine level. This balcony can function as a VIP space when needed. As there is no bar in this space it works well for more acoustic performances.

The Foyer Bar is a large room with a beautiful terrazzo floor and a high vaulted ceiling. It has two staircases on either side leading into to the main room. You’ll also find a small lounge with a low ceiling called the Foyer Den. There’s a DJ booth which functions as a merchandising booth too.

The Glass Bar is on our mezzanine level. We have a number of comfy sofas beside large windows overlooking the main room. You can get to this bar from the main room or Balcony Bar. The Glass Bar sometimes functions as a VIP bar.

The balcony bar is a large square shaped room on the top floor, with a wide balcony overlooking the main floor. There are a number of booths with seats and a DJ Booth. We have a temporary wall and stage system we install when there is a DJ or live performance in this space. The kitchen is also on this level behind the bar.

The cloakroom on the first floor. As you enter the first floor Foyer Bar the cloakroom is to your left, beside the bar.

Our cash dispensing machine is on the first floor on the main entrance stairwell just outside the foyer bar.

Most of Scala’s listed events limit admission to people of 18 years of age and over. This means if you are underage you will be refused admission even if you are accompanied by a parent, guardian or much older friend.

We are a standing venue so no seats are assigned to tickets. There is limited seating inside.

ACCESSIBILITY
Scala is a very old building. One of the biggest challenges for those with mobility problems is the various levels throughout the building. 

Scala is in fact the latin word for stairs.

All stairs have sturdy handrails. There are three steps into reception, 37 steps to the foyer bar, 14 steps to the main arena (54 total), 24 steps from the foyer bar to the toilets (64 total) and a further 23 steps to the balcony bar (87 total).

Unfortunately there is no lift at Scala. We are happy to manually lift wheelchair users, although its worth mentioning that carrying heavy duty electric wheelchairs may not be possible for health and safety reasons.

We ask that you arrive ten minutes before doors open and make yourself known to our security staff, ready for advanced entry. The venue manager will offer you a suitable area with a good view of the stage. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us and ask. We’d like to help.

275 Pentonville Road,

Kings Cross,

London,

Greater London,

England,

N1 9NL.

020 7833 2022