SEAN NOONAN
SPEAKING DRUMMER
DRUMS. VOICE. ELECTRONICS. STORY.
Sean Noonan is a speaking drummer, composer and rhythmic storyteller who turns the drum kit into a complete instrument for rhythm, voice, language and character.
In his solo performances, Noonan plays drums, speaks, sings and improvises simultaneously, combining live drumming and voice with electronic sound and reworked material from across his catalogue.
The result is part concert, part theatre, part ritual: a highly physical performance where voice and drums operate as equal musical forces.
WATCH
ONE PERFORMER. DRUMS. VOICE. ELECTRONICS. STORIES.
THREE WAYS INTO THE MUSIC
IMPROVISED
Solo voice + drums
Spontaneous performances built from polyrhythmic drumming, voice, spoken narrative and improvisation.
COMPOSED
Voice + drums + electronic or string-based material
Through-composed work bringing rhythmic complexity, vocal phrasing, narrative and orchestral thinking into a concentrated solo format.
PUNK-JAZZ
High-energy song-oriented performance
Speaking drums, vocals, electronic sound and reworked catalogue material drawing on punk, free jazz, experimental rock and theatrical performance.
THE SPEAKING DRUMMER
Noonan has spent more than two decades developing the speaking drummer as a compositional and performance practice.
His four limbs and human voice become simultaneous musical forces. Rhythm, speech, character, improvisation and physical movement are woven together through the drum kit.
His work moves between free jazz, punk, experimental rock, contemporary composition and theatrical performance.
Noonan has released more than 34 albums and performed internationally, working with artists and ensembles including Marc Ribot, Malcolm Mooney of CAN, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Susan McKeown, the Ligeti Quartet and the London Symphony Orchestra.
FROM THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO THE SOLO STAGE
In 2026, Noonan released The Drummer of Tedworth, a double album recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra.
The project brought his speaking-drummer practice into a large-scale orchestral environment.
The solo work takes that practice into its most concentrated form: one performer combining live drums and voice with electronic sound.
TOWARD SILO
The current solo performances are the beginning of Noonan's next major phase of work: SILO.
SILO develops the speaking drummer into an electro-acoustic performance environment where drum kit, voice and electronics function as one responsive instrument.
At the centre of this developing work is Olis, Noonan's speaking-drummer alter ego.
The work is leading toward Olis & The Silo, a 60-minute solo musical monodrama combining speaking drums, voice, electronics, storytelling and theatrical performance.
A COMPACT SOLO FORMAT
One performer.
Drums.
Voice.
Electronics.
A highly portable performance format.
Available for festivals, venues, theatres, galleries, contemporary music programmes, jazz and improvised music, alternative music, interdisciplinary projects, residencies and international showcases.