Plastic Acid Orchestra is a modern full symphony orchestra that creates an exciting new musical experience by combining original Plastic Acid compositions, bold compositions from some of the most accomplished young Canadian composers and modern symphonic arrangements of popular music. Founded by Music Director, Bryan Deans, PAO brings a symphonic sound with a modern edge that tears down both genres and generations.
Since its first concert series in 2006, PAO has kept its repertoire open to collaborations with new Canadian composers to include exciting and innovative pieces such as Martin Reisle's (Maria in the Shower) Train of Pounding Hours, Jason Nett's (former resident composer Vancouver Island Symphony) Sol, Tungstein and Heavy Metals as well as arrangements of Plastic Acid originals such as Epic and Resources. In addition to this, PAO has performed arrangements of Soundgarden, Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson as well as Led Zeppelin's Kashmir which was arranged and vocally performed by Mike Bell (The Living). Bryan hopes to take audiences on a musical experience that encompasses truly classical works such as Beethoven, Shostakovich and Dvořák while showcasing new, modern composers and revisiting contemporary hit songs. Deans' sometimes unorthodox programmes tear down genres, pushing audiences from innovative new classical to contemporary pieces full of guilty pleasures.
PAO has done many exciting performances in unusual venues -- nightclubs such as The Caprice and Venue where the audience was able to get close to the orchestra and yell and cheer more akin to a rock show. In one instance, PAO became "fully-electrified" where the performers were all amplified by pick-ups thanks in part to a sponsorship from Roland on the technical audio engineering. Performances have been accompanied by light and multi-media shows, burlesque dancers and fire-poi performances - providing a richer concert experience. PAO paired up with indie roots band Maria in the Shower in 2012 for a near sold out performance at the Vogue Theatre. The performance featured songs such as Train of Pounding Hours which repurposes chains, a sledgehammer and a cinder-block as percussive instruments -- both exciting to see and hear.
Plastic Acid Orchestra regularly performs full orchestra shows in Vancouver has performed with tours such as Video Games Live and Legend of Zelda. In 2015, PAO was the largest group to perform in the history of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival playing to an outdoor crowd of over 3000 people. In 2014, PAO performed at Performance Works with special guest Jay Malinowski (Bedouin Soundclash/The Deadcoast) and a Halloween show featuring full orchestra performances of Michael Jackson's Thriller and the soundtrack from Psycho. PAO regularly invites performers such as The End Tree, Maria in the Shower, Anita Eccleston, The Living, the Whiskeydicks and has featured many new works or arrangements from composers such as Giorgio Magnanensi, Elliot Vaughan, Martin Reisle, Mike Bell, Jim Hopson, Mariah Mennie and many others.
Looking towards the future, PAO is working towards more collaborations and will continue to host local concert series.
For inquiries on hiring the orchestra or for more detailed information about repertoire and technical info please contact
plasticacid [at] gmail.com.
Bryan Deans Conducting - Video Games Live | Mehr! Theater am Großmarkt, Hamburg, Germany | November 5, 2018
Bryan Deans Conducting - Video Games Live | Red Box, Mönchengladbach, Germany | November 4, 2018
Bryan Deans Conducting - Video Games Live | Tempodrom, Berlin, Germany | November 3, 2018
Bryan Deans Conducting - Video Games Live | Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt, Germany | November 2, 2018
Bryan Deans Conducting - Video Games Live | O2 Ritz, Manchester, England | November 1, 2018
Bryan Deans Conducting - Video Games Live | O2 Academy, Glasgow Scotland | October 31, 2018
Bryan Deans Conducting - Video Games Live | O2 Institute, Birmingham, England | October 30, 2018
Bryan Deans Conducting - Video Games Live | Roundhouse, London, England | October 29, 2018
Bryan Deans Conducting - Video Games Live | Dôme de Paris, Paris, France | October 27, 2018
Bryan Deans Conducting - Video Games Live | Across Canada | Multiple Dates: Mar/Apr, 2018
Video Games Live w/ Plastic Acid Orchestra | The Orpheum, Vancouver | April 3, 2018
Spectralism with Plastic Acid Orchestra | The Annex, Vancouver | February 24, 2018
One-Page Score Project w/Plastic Acid Orchestra | Pyatt Hall, Vancouver | January 27, 2018
One-Page Score Project w/Plastic Acid Orchestra | Pyatt Hall, Vancouver | January 28, 2017
Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses w/Plastic Acid Orchestra | Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver | September 23, 2016
Plastic Acid Orchestra w/ Veda Hille and Friends | The Vancouver Playhouse, Vancouver | September 10, 2016 | Read The Westender Cover Story
Plastic Acid Orchestra: Symphony Without Bounds with Special Guests Francois Houle, Jack Garton, Jason Nett and Giorgio Magnanensi | Centennial Theatre, Vancouver | January 30, 2016
Vancouver New Music Presents: One Page Score Project with Plastic Acid Orchestra | January 23, 2016
Plastic Acid Orchestra Feat. The Living, Anita Eccleston, Martin Reisle w/The End Tree | Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Georgia Stage | June 19, 2015
Legend of Zelda, Symphony of the Goddesses | Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver | May 22, 2015 | Backing Orchestra
Plastic Acid Orchestra: Halloween | Performance Works, Granville Island, Vancouver | Oct. 31, 2014
Plastic Acid Orchestra | Performance Works, Granville Island, Vancouver | July 11, 2014
Video Games Live | Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver | Nov. 6, 2012| Backing Orchestra
Plastic Acid Orchestra w/ Maria in the Shower | The Vogue Theatre, Vancouver | Feb 25, 2012
Plastic Acid Orchestra | Venue, Vancouver | Nov. 30, 2008
Plastic Acid Orchestra | Venue, Vancouver | June 26, 2008
Plastic Acid Orchestra | Caprice Nightclub, Vancouver | Dec. 18 & 19, 2006
Plastic Acid Orchestra | Caprice Nightclub, Vancouver | May 2, 2006
NextPlastic Acid Orchestra has hosted several large performances in venues such as The Vogue, Venue, The Caprice and performed as the backing orchestra for Video Games Live at the Orpheum.
For more photos please Follow on Instagram
For more videos please visit the Plastic Acid Youtube Channel
Register by entering your name and email address below to received discounts and updates on upcoming shows. For bookings, collaborations or media requests please contact either of the following.
Plastic Acid Orchestra - plasticacid@gmail.com
Bryan Deans, Founder/Musical Director: 604-802-6712
Doug Gorkoff, Personnel Manager: dgorkoff@gmail.com