VIDEO The world's first performance of the Seaboard RISE

The world's first performance of the Seaboard RISE
In this intriguing video, viewers are treated to the inaugural showcase of the Seaboard RISE, a revolutionary musical instrument designed to amplify expressiveness in music production. Presented by musicians Marco Parisi, Heen-Wah Wai, and Gerald Peter, the performance successfully captivates the audience with its unique capabilities.
The Seaboard RISE stands out for its innovative touch-responsive surface that allows for a more nuanced performance than traditional keyboards. This instrument caters primarily to composers and live performers looking to enhance their musical expression. With features that include continuous pitch control and a range of gestures for dynamics and articulation, it opens up new dimensions for creativity.
Although a transcript was not available for the video, the performance itself speaks volumes, showcasing the potential of the Seaboard RISE in a way that words alone cannot capture. The reactions from the audience reveal a sense of awe, marking a significant moment for both the artists and the instrument's developers.
This video aligns perfectly with ongoing discussions about the intersection of technology and art in music, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in modern music innovation. Given that this content was posted back in May 2017, it's fascinating to see how far this technology has come and its implications for the future of music performance.
Feel free to share your thoughts on the Seaboard RISE and how you think such innovations will shape the musical landscape in future! Have you had the chance to try out a Seaboard or similar technology? Let’s exchange ideas!

The video features three musicians on stage at ROLI's London headquarters in September 2015, giving the debut live performance on the Seaboard RISE. Positioned behind individual Seaboard controllers mounted on custom white pedestals, the trio opens with a lush, atmospheric soundscape that immediately highlights the instrument's MIDI Polyphonic Expression capabilities. Soft string textures, ambient pads, and delicate vocal-like synth patches blend together as the performers slide between notes, demonstrating pressure-sensitive vibrato and continuous pitch bends directly on the keybed surface. Around 02:14, the piece transforms as a punchy electronic beat and synth bassline enter, shifting the tone into a lively funk-fusion groove. The performance moves through various musical sections, with close-up overhead shots capturing the players taking expressively articulated solos—from brassy horn leads around 03:50 to heavily distorted guitar-style synth leads past the ten-minute mark. It is a fantastic showcase that manages to feel like a genuine musical performance rather than just a dry hardware demonstration. Watching how intuitively the musicians execute pitch glides and microtonal inflections directly on the rubbery keywaves makes it obvious why the Seaboard generated so much excitement among keyboard players looking for acoustic-like expressiveness in a digital instrument.