Listening Residency | Josh Coates | ‘Big’ Asda carpark

Josh Coates was the first in a series of listening residencies commissioned by Metal.

To kick of the PICTON PLAY listening residencies in September 2023, artist and organiser Josh Coates created a pop-up community space in Smithdown Asda car park. Across Josh’s three week residency, he uncovered memories of the community and spaces of significance, with people coming along to share their desire for social spaces to connect and celebrate together. Over cups of tea in the car park, people shared a need for venues for disco, birthday parties, games, cooking and craft activities, as well as a love for music and storytelling.

Josh Coates is a theatre maker and community organiser based in Liverpool. He makes work with people about people, giving space for stories to be told in experimental and experiential forms for audiences. He uses autobiography and the gut reactions to political events and mixes them with popular culture to create a distinctive personal style. When he’s not in a rehearsal room, he works with Homebaked Community Land Trust in Anfield, creating events that bring neighbours together for a chat over a brew.

The video below shows some outcomes from the first phase with Listening Residency artist Josh Coates.