John Thorpe is a didgeridoo player whose work centres on the didgeridoo, also known as the yidaki, an instrument with roots in Aboriginal culture going back at least two thousand years. His approach combines traditional and contemporary techniques with influences from dance music, and he plays in a style described as subtle, intimate and powerful.

Instrumentation and style

Thorpe uses the didgeridoo alongside clapsticks, shaker, djembe, a drumbeat or stomp box, and occasional keyboards. His playing is presented as energetic, rhythmic and musical, with an emphasis on creating soundscapes from the instrument.

Musical context

The didgeridoo is presented as an instrument capable of complex sounds, and Thorpe’s work is framed around its physical and breath-based character. His music draws on both traditional forms and more contemporary, dance-oriented ideas.