SOUNDHOUSE WHITSTABLE // 28.11.25

TEST DEPT – Soundhouse Whitstable

Date: Friday 28 November 2025

Venue: Soundhouse Whitstable, St Mary's Parish Hall, Whitstable Umbrella Centre, Whitstable, UK

Prepare for an electrifying night of industrial sound, experimental rhythm, and immersive visuals as Coastal Electronauts present Test Dept., one of the UK’s most groundbreaking sonic pioneers.

Emerging from the industrial heart of the 1980s, Test Dept. forged a reputation for their politically charged performances and percussive power. Decades on, their live shows remain visceral and forward-thinking—combining mechanical soundscapes, electronic textures, and uncompromising energy.

The night will also feature performances from Shape Navigator and Sophie Sirota, exploring new frontiers in electronic performance art. Visuals throughout the evening will be provided by @DIZ_QO, transforming the venue into an immersive audio-visual environment.

This event is supported by Arts Council England, F1 Sound Co Ltd and Whitstable Umbrella Centre, as part of an ongoing celebration of experimental and electronic culture along the coast.

Expect rhythm. Expect resonance. Expect revolution.

Join us for an unforgettable night where art, industry, and sound collide.

TEST DEPT.

Formed in London in the early 1980s, Test Dept are regarded as one of the pioneering forces of ‘industrial music’, recognised for their groundbreaking sound and powerful performances that pushed the boundaries of music, art and protest while exploring political and social issues.

Centred around the founding duo of Paul Jamrozy and Gray Cunnington since resurfacing in the mid-2010s, the group recently signed to the Artoffact label and plan to issue a series of carefully curated box sets along with a brand new album targeted for 2026.

The first of the catalogue sets is scheduled for release on 5th December, with ‘Industrial Overture. Studio & Live Recordings 1982-1985’ consisting of 42 tracks across 4 CDs and also available digitally. It includes a first ever reissue of the group’s 1983 cassette-only debut album ‘Strength Of Metal In Motion’, the classic ‘Ecstasy Under Duress’ and ‘Atonal & Hamburg’ albums (both unavailable for over three decades), plus a disc of hitherto unreleased studio recordings that incorporate two sessions recorded for the John Peel show on BBC Radio 1.

Augmented by their trademark striking visuals, a fully electronic set with remixes of some of these early recordings plus a preview of new material will encompass aggressive percussion, industrial noise and the experimental soundscapes that are their stock-in-trade. Expect power and confrontation in what will be visceral and immersive experiences.

Socials: https://testdept.org.uk/contact

Shape Navigator

Shape Navigator is an innovative composer, musician, and sound artist with a rich and diverse career spanning several creative fields. After earning his Fine Art degree in the 1990s, he quickly made a name for himself in the UK music scene through his work with Guerilla Records. During this vibrant period, he collaborated with renowned artists such as Coldcut, Seal, David McAlmont, and Heartless Crew, establishing himself as a respected figure in electronic and experimental music.

Website: http://petercoyte.com/

Sophie Sirota

A classically trained violist, singer, and composer,

Sophie is known for her innovative performances, creating ambient soundscapes, using looper and effects pedals to craft intricate, evolving textures.
Her work showcases her skill as a violist and also highlights her expertise as a composer and arranger, pushing the boundaries of music and sound.

Bandcamp: https://sophiesirota.bandcamp.com/