Exploring the Metanoia Series in the Festival of Chichester: A New Perspective on Arts and Community

Metanoia: to change one’s mind and expand it in such a way as to gain a new perspective on the world. The word itself has Greek roots, originally used to describe a deep shift in understanding, a kind of turning point in thinking. That idea of transformation sits at the heart of The Metanoia Series.

The vision for The Metanoia Series at Chichester Festival was simple yet ambitious: to bring diverse artists and speakers together to create a gravitational pull, drawing people in, and sparking a collective energy in Chichester. The theory behind it was that when people gather, something shifts. They inspire one another, and from that inspiration come connections, creativity, and a ripple effect of positive change.

The Origins of The Metanoia Series - Electronic dance music

Ben Williams, founder of The Metanoia Series, recognised there was a noticeable absence of electronic dance music in Chichester. His love for the genre began in the 90s, when the UK rave and house scene was booming. It was a time of underground energy, late-night freedom, and a sense of unity on the dance floor. That spirit stayed with him. Fast forward to today and the love has only grown, so much so that Ben wanted to fill that gap locally with dance music events of his own. Cue the Festival of Chichester, which gave him the perfect platform to celebrate dance music as part of the wider programme.

But why stop at music? For Ben, music was just the entry point; a powerful collector of people. Once the idea had landed, it naturally expanded into other art forms and creative discussions, to build a series of events that would spark conversation and the possibility of change. That was the birth of The Metanoia Series, evolving from one man’s desire to bring dance music to Chichester into a whole programme of talks, performances, and shared experiences. And once Ben began putting the feelers out, something interesting happened: serendipitous contacts appeared, and these contacts had something important to say.

Gravitational Pull

The diverse range of events in The Metanoia Series became a reflection of Ben’s creativity and openness. There seemed to be a genuine pull, as if the people he brought together created their own momentum. Of course, diversity can sometimes risk fragmentation which is counterproductive, however, community initiatives like this can mitigate that risk and do the opposite: they bring cohesion and promote integration.

The central question became: what brings people together, not just to sit in the same space, but to interact, to be inspired, and to take action, however small? Music was the obvious starting point and ‘Experiment’, a weekend of dance music events, became a key component of the Metanoia Series. From there, the circle widened to include speakers, allowing different voices and perspectives to join the conversation.

Diversity in Festival Events

That diversity mattered. People of different ages, genders, and backgrounds came together, with a mix of viewpoints. The atmosphere reflected that mix; the buzz of conversations, people encountering new ideas, and the thrill of perspectives colliding. It wasn’t diversity for the sake of it, but diversity as a genuine source of energy, enquiry, and creativity. It became a discovery of what interests people to participate, be inspired and create.

The talks themselves carried this thread. Some were challenging, but not in a deliberately provocative way or for the sake of it, more countercultural; a gentle questioning of the assumptions that shape everyday life. Exploring prevailing culture alongside opposite or alternative viewpoints. Ben explains, “I chose people who had something important to say, that was challenging and countercultural but not antagonistic”.

Richard Werner asked whether central banks can really control the economy through interest rates. Sarah Corbett explored how quiet activism, through craftivism, can bring about real change. Jenny Andersson shared the explorations of the growing bioregioning community. The series finished with a community event asking “What do we want Chichester to be and how do we get there?” The variety underscored the point: what unites these ideas is the belief that the world can be made better, and that communities like Chichester can play a part in that.

Organic Self-Correction

There was also something organic in the way common sense emerged from these discussions, a grounded wisdom that stands in sharp contrast to the noise of the mainstream. It felt like a moment of self-correction, an evolutionary step, bubbling up not from institutions or top-down authority, but from people gathering in a room together.

This authentically feels like one of the cornerstones of The Metanoia Series.

What does that mean for Chichester? Perhaps it shows that even in smaller cities, there's an appetite for events that stretch minds, challenge norms, and encourage collective creativity. Perhaps it also shows that festivals aren’t just about entertainment, but about fostering spaces where communities can reimagine themselves. And perhaps, most importantly, it shows that when people come together under the umbrella of music, art, and ideas, the possibility for change, however subtle or grand, is always there.

So what is the future of The Metanoia Series? It feels like it’s here to stay. Events like this are essential, spaces where music, art, and ideas collide to spark something bigger. With Ben at the helm, it’s certain to bring an eclectic and electric energy to next year's festival. And who knows, future ‘Experiment’ dance music events might just pop up closer than you think. Watch this space.