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MUS-20082 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

MUS-20082 - Augmenting Live Performance
Coordinator: Tim Canfer
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

In this module you will have the opportunity to learn leading-edge modern live music performance techniques, to build your own digital performance devices and to apply them live. You will explore current and historic issues in the area of liveness and learn the semiotics of performance. This is our critically engaged, digital performance playground; come join us!

Aims
To explore concepts of liveness, music-visual agency, semiotics, mediation and mediatization in modern music performance event production.
To examine current and historical performance and production practice in augmenting live performance.
To specify and develop the music production concepts and techniques employed in augmenting a live performance event, and to put these into practice in a live event.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a critical awareness of liveness and musical-visual agency in modern music performance events: 1
Critically analyse examples of creative practice showing different approaches used in augmenting modern music performance events: 1
Apply music production concepts and techniques in augmenting a live performance event: 2
Demonstrate an awareness of musical-visual agency in augmenting a live performance event: 2

Study hours

24 Active Learning Hours:
10 hours of lectures, seminars and practical demonstrations
10 hours of workshops
4 hours of small group tutorials
126 Independent Study Hours:
36 hours of preparation for workshops and tutorials
90 hours of preparation for the summative assessments (35 for case study; 55 for final performance and report)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 40%
Case Study Report
Students will demonstrate awareness of the key concepts, including liveness and the semiotics of modern musical performance events. These concepts will be explained and discussed in a 1500-word report in the context of at least two examples of notable live performance events. One or both of these performances must be appropriately referenced and accessible on a broadcast platform (i.e. iPlayer or YouTube). One performance event may be attended over the semester and must be evidenced by the student's observation notes from the event. These notes should be transcribed and included in an appendix. Students should reflect on the following factors in their consideration of the performance events: - Genre, musical context, and benchmark performance conventions - Exchange of energy between performers and audience (e.g. elements that demonstrate musical-visual agency - Relevant venue-based specifics (e.g. sound reinforcement and lighting) This report should critically analyse the examples and explore how they could inform the student's own practice (i.e. in assessment 2).

2: Project weighted 60%
Augmented Live Performance
In small groups, students will create a live music performance. This performance will demonstrate modern music production techniques that augment a live performance event and engage the audience. Performances will last about five minutes for each group member (so a group of three will play for about 15 minutes). Students will then each complete a 1000-word report, detailing the techniques used, the concepts behind them and an evaluation of the performance. Students need to make it clear what their own contributions, roles and responsibilities were (and these need to be consistent within groups). Students are encouraged to perform their set at the end of semester gig. However, alternate small-scale or video-based performances can be negotiated with the module tutor before the end of week 10. Individual marks will be awarded, based equally on the performance (and its use of modern production techniques) and the report. Students will be given information in advance about how their mark will be decided.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026