Steve Davis Performs Modular Synth Jams

Steve Davis, the six-time World Snooker champion, has started performing improvised modular synth jams, recently at the Brecon Jazz Festival with electronic musician Gaz Williams.

What happened?

Davis told BBC News that his new obsession requires some of the same skills as his old day job, improvising like in snooker. He never knew what the next shot was going to be, so he's still doing what he's done all his life.

Why it matters for Steve Davis

Davis's first encounter with modular synths was at a club in Soho, after which he began investigating further and got hooked. He remembers thinking that the synth didn't even have a keyboard, so where were the sounds coming from.

What comes next?

Davis is no stranger to festival performances, having a slot at Glastonbury as long ago as 2016, where he performed in the Stonebridge Bar. He told MusicRadar that they had no idea what to expect, but the 500-capacity tent was mobbed. Davis and his team gave out tote bags with tongue-in-cheek slogans like "Steve Davis is a DJ" and "Last Night Steve Davis Bored Me Shitless". And he had a great laugh, which is what matters most to him. But the transition to modular synth jams is a new challenge for Davis, one that he's excited to take on. So he's been practicing and performing, applying his snooker skills to music. Davis's performance at the Brecon Jazz Festival was a success, with the crowd enjoying his improvised jams. He's looking forward to his next performance, where he'll continue to push the boundaries of modular synth music.