A flotilla of hot air balloons with speakers attached playing a specially commissioned soundtrack has just taken off from Ashton Court in Bristol.
Serenading people below with music written and produced by some of the city's best known musical acts, the team behind Sky Orchestra - A Moment in Time aims to "offer hope for the future" and showcase the creative talent of the city.
To avoid crowds turning up to watch the launch, the exact start time of the performance was kept secret - but can now be reported as the balloons have left the ground.
At the time of writing this article earlier today (September 1) a west-northwest wind was forecast for 6pm by the Met Office, which would see the seven balloons pass over parts of south Bristol including Bedminster, Totterdown and Brislington, or over the city centre.
However the wind direction looked set to change to south westerly later in the evening, which would more than likely see the flotilla pass over areas including Clifton, Redland, Montpelier and Bishopston instead.
Due to the low wind speed predicted, though, there is a chance they will not get very far at all no matter what direction they travel in.
About Sky Orchestra - A Moment in Time
An arts project by renowned Bristol artist Luke Jerram and Bristol-based BAFTA-winning composer Dan Jones, Sky Orchestra – A Moment in Time features the premiere of a new composition commissioned by Bristol Old Vic, and includes live accompaniment.
The incredible line-up of Bristol musical and artistic contributors who joined forces for the project includes Grant Marshall of Massive Attack, Stew Jackson, current writer and producer for Massive Attack, and Adrian Utley, founding member of Portishead.
Several musicians, including emerging Bristol performer Jerome Gamble on electric guitar, are playing instruments live in the balloon baskets during the performance, with Tom Nosek providing the vocals.
Outgoing Bristol City Poet Vanessa Kisuule wrote a spoken word contribution which will be played while renowned theatre and TV writer, composer and sound designer Elizabeth Purnell created the string arrangements.
The audio-visual spectacle was planned by Dan and Luke and developed in collaboration with Bristol Old Vic from the beginning of the lockdown.
The local ballooning crews were brought together by lead pilot Peter Dalby.
With seven hot air balloons positioned over a city, this makes Sky Orchestra one of the largest surround sound artworks in the world.
It was initially due to take place in mid-July but was postponed until today due to bad weather.
Sky Orchestra – A Moment in Time is taking place with permission from Bristol City Council, within social distancing guidelines.
