ARTIST TALK: A GUY CALLED GERALD

Gerald Simpson has given more to the club scene than most. Starting out in 808 State and defining British acid house with Voodoo Ray, his enduring legacy is tied to Black Secret Technology – a soulful reflection of Manchester’s melting pot of soul, dub, and rave. Regarded as the first full-length jungle album, it not only mapped out a future sound but also underlined Gerald’s fiercely independent spirit, carving a path outside the mainstream industry. The record prophetically gestures toward Detroit techno, krautrock, and post-punk, without ever blunting its edge. Before performing a special set at Unsound to mark the 30th anniversary of this epochal release, A Guy Called Gerald will join a surprise moderator in conversation to discuss the Manchester context he emerged from, his musical influences, and the challenges of the past, present, and future.