The core of our projects are the free and accessible monthly music sessions.
UPDATE FOR 2026
Sonic Labs returns their popular monthly open jam/group improvisation sessions on the 7th of February, with a few changes;
"What is it?" - Participant-led music sessions featuring group improvisation, collaborative composition, and discussion.
"When does this happen?" - The first Saturday of each month, starting from the 7th of February, at 12.30pm until 2pm.
"Where?" - We'll be moving closer to the heart of the Dumfries music scene, hosting these sessions from the upstairs of ther Coach and Horses.
"Who's it for?" - These are open to musicians (any discipline or ability) and music enthusiasts. We aim to provide a hub for musicians to create new music and projects and meet new collaborators.
"I'm up for playing music. Should I bring an instrument?" - We always encourage you to BYOI (bring your own instrument). What you bring is entirely up to.
"I don't play an instrument. Can I come along?" - Yes! All are welcome to come and listen, or join the discussion.
April, 2026 - The Coach and Horses, Dumfries. 12.30pm
March 7th, 2026 - The Coach and Horses, Dumfries. 12.30pm
February 7th, 2026 - The Coach and Horses, Dumfries. 12.30pm
November 26th, 2025 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
October 29th, 2025 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm.
September 27th, 2025 - Loreburn Hall, Dumfries. Time TBC
Dumfries Drum Day jam session.
August 27th, 2025 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm.
July 30th, 2025 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
Co-hosted by BASH
June 25th, 2025 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
Co-hosted by David Bass. Slide guitar and improvisation.
May 14th, 2025 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
Co-hosted by Kate Kyle. Songwriting.
May 14th, 2025 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries, 3.30pm
Sonic Youth Collaboration session. Introduction to free improvsation.
March 25th, 2025 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
Co-hosted by Stuart Macpherson. Environment-based composition projects.
February 26th, 2025 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
Co-hosted by Taylor Nuttall. Granular and modular synthesis.
January 29th, 2025 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
Co-hosted by Jamie Little; polyrhythm and polymeter.
October 30th, 2024 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
Co-hosted by Fergus Henderson; live programming with percussion.
September 25th, 2024 - Dumfries Whitesands, 7pm
Co-hosted by Martin O'Neil. Sound Walk workshop in Dumfries town centre.
August 28th, 2024 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
Co-hosted by Ryan Stokes. Improvisation techniques and idioms.
July 31st, 2024 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
The Big Jam session
June 26th, 2024 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
Calum Walker. Graphic Scores and interpretative notation.
May 29th, 2024 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
Co-hosted by Max Thompson. Live visuals and audio.
April 24th, 2024 - The Stove Cafe, Dumfries. 7pm
First session as Sonic Labs.
Free Improvisation ran monthly from February 2022 to March 2024, from the Stove Cafe in Dumfries.
Sessions hosted by Calum Walker with various group improvisation focuses and exercises.