News: The Water of Tyne: Reimagined @ The Glasshouse

The Glasshouse has unveiled The Water of Tyne: Reimagined, a new free permanent audio installation from British‑Bengali artist and composer BISHI. Launched on Wednesday 19th August, the commission reworks the much‑loved North East folk song through a contemporary three‑part composition that blends Raag Durga, new music and field recordings captured around the venue.

Written, composed and produced by BISHI, the piece also features contributions from Brian Eno, Jennifer Reid, ILĀ, Ian Bruce and Genevieve Dawson, drawing together voices that reflect both the region’s heritage and the wider influences shaping music today.

The installation unfolds across three locations on Level 1, each revealing a different movement. Visitors scan a QR code, listen as they move through the building, and take in views across the River Tyne at their own pace.

The Water of Tyne: Reimagined is the first permanent addition to The Glasshouse’s growing programme of free public experiences, offering another way to encounter music whether you’re there for a gig, a coffee or a wander along the Quayside.

Rachel Williams, Head of Digital and Communications at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, said, “The Glasshouse has always been a place where people come together through music, but we also want people to discover and enjoy the building itself. The Water of Tyne: Reimagined is a permanent addition to The Glasshouse that celebrates our unique location while inviting people to experience music beyond the concert halls.

“We wanted to create something that anyone can discover, whether they’re here for a performance, meeting friends for coffee or simply exploring the Quayside. BISHI has created a beautiful new interpretation of a song that means so much to the North East, while giving people a completely new way to experience both the music and our building.”

BISHI — known for work that bridges heritage, innovation and both Western and Hindustani classical traditions — has collaborated internationally, including with Brian Eno, Sean Ono Lennon and Royal Northern Sinfonia.

“The Water of Tyne is one of those rare songs that feels completely timeless. It’s deeply rooted in the North East, but its themes of love, distance and belonging are universal. I wanted to honour that history while creating something that reflects my own musical journey, bringing together North East folk traditions, Hindustani classical music and the sounds of the River Tyne.

The Glasshouse and its incredible setting inspired me to create something immersive that people could discover in their own way. I hope visitors take a moment to pause, listen and experience both the music and the landscape differently, while feeling a deeper connection to this place and the stories it holds.”

The installation is free during opening hours; visitors just need a smartphone and headphones.