During Eurosonic Noorderslag, the first live show of the new residency series within the second edition of the Open Culture Tech project took place. In Groningen, Might Delete Later presented a performance that closely aligned with her artistic practice: creating music from voicemails, this time fully embedded in the present moment.

 

Might Delete Later is known for her intimate and layered live shows in which personal voicemails form the foundation of her music. These messages, often left by friends, family members, or strangers, give her work a vulnerable and direct quality. At the same time, her live practice revealed a limitation. The voicemails she worked with were often weeks or even months old, making it difficult to truly respond to the moment and to the audience in front of her.

 

For her residency within Open Culture Tech, Might Delete Later set out to find a way to increase interaction with her audience during live performances. She wanted to be able to collect voicemails on site and process them directly into her music. In addition, she was looking for a way to draw the attention of festival visitors before her show, encouraging more people to actively participate by leaving a voicemail.

 

In line with the core concept of Might Delete Later, the idea emerged to build a phone booth. A physical space where people could listen to voicemails left by others, while also recording their own message, knowing it might become part of a live performance later that same day.

 

Throughout the conference at Eurosonic Noorderslag, the phone booth was installed in De Oosterpoort. Anyone passing by could step inside, listen to existing voicemails, and leave their own. In total, 37 voicemails were recorded on site. Six of these messages were ultimately selected and used live during Might Delete Later’s showcase.

 

For many visitors, hearing their own voice or that of a stranger within a live musical context was a special experience. The phone booth became more than a collection point; it functioned as a tangible bridge between the audience and the performance itself.

 

 

Technical setup

 

This section will later describe how the phone booth works technically, how voicemails are recorded, stored and played back, and how they are integrated into the live set.

 

During the live performance, the phone booth took on a new role. Positioned on stage, it functioned both as a stage prop and as a live instrument. By pressing the large buttons on the booth, voicemails were triggered and played directly through the PA system.

 

The presence of a familiar object, combined with personal voices and live music, added a strong theatrical layer to the performance. The phone booth made the interaction visible and intuitive, without the need for explanation.

 

 

 

 

The live show at Eurosonic Noorderslag was received very positively. Visitors described the phone booth as a powerful and fitting addition to the performance, noting how well it aligned with the identity and artistic approach of Might Delete Later. The project demonstrated how technology does not need to be foregrounded, but can instead support intimacy and audience involvement.

 

Might Delete Later and Wij Doen Dingen are currently exploring ways to further develop the phone booth, with a particular focus on making it easier to take on tour. The first showcase clearly showed the potential of the concept as an invitation, an instrument, and a direct connection between artist and audience.