Philip Sheppard

The work

Live and interactive

In concert, Philip builds huge orchestral landscapes in real time from a cello, using cutting-edge technology and improvisation techniques. He also composes and produces music for international events and ceremonies, festivals, theatre, dance and new technology.

Philip Sheppard playing cello alone at the end of a long hall
Man and BoyPhotograph: Nathan Azopardi

In concert

Cello and loops

Philip builds whole pieces live from a single cello, layer by layer, with a loop pedal.

Hallelujah · live at C2 Montréal
Kashmir · Led Zeppelin, for cello and loop pedal
Amazing Grace · solo cello to six parts

More from the loop pedal

How I wrote Kara’s Theme from Detroit: Become Human | Cello + Loop Pedal
She Moved Through the Fair, live looped cello
Dido’s Lament performed on cello and loop pedal
'Moveable Type' Live looping improv by Philip Sheppard
Philip Sheppard composes tango from audience member's phone number
Exile from We are the Giant

See the full playlist on YouTube →

In concert

The ODESZA string group

Philip’s string group playing one of his arrangements, filmed by drone.

Concerts and tours

From the audience

“Covers Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir like you’ve never heard.”
EG Conferenceon Philip’s live Kashmir

Live events, theatre and ballet

On the world stage

Ballet and theatre with some of the world’s great dancers, live shows with ODESZA and UNKLE, and music for Olympic ceremonies and world sporting events.

ODESZA · The Finale · live from the Gorge, the closing shows of The Last Goodbye tour, 2024.
Sacred Monsters · Music for Sylvie Guillem and Akram Khan, 2006.
ODESZA In Return at Red Rocks
ODESZA · In Return at Red Rocks, 2016. Watch on YouTube ↗
In-I · Score for Juliette Binoche and Akram Khan, from Sydney to Beijing, 2008.
UNKLE live at the Royal Festival Hall
UNKLE · Live at the Royal Festival Hall, 2019. Watch on YouTube ↗
London 2012 Olympics · Philip conducted, arranged and edited all 205 national anthems for the medal ceremonies, recorded with the London Philharmonic at Abbey Road.
Rugby World Cup 2015 · “This is Rugby”, the players’ entrance and theme music.

More events and ceremonies

Philip Sheppard playing cello on a Montana hillside as a camera drone films him
Cello and camera drone, MontanaPhotograph: Tom Gruber

Interactive

Music for games, apps and new technology.

Keynotes

Talks and ideas

Philip also speaks at conferences and companies around the world, often with the cello in hand.

See his talks and keynotes →

Start a conversation

Concerts, events, ceremonies, festivals, theatre, dance and installations. Enquiries are read by Geoff Muncey, Philip’s studio manager.

Enquire