My PIT-CON 2025 Experience
Alzo Music Live Debut
I was delighted to be asked to perform. I’d missed the first PIT-CON and was only able to contribute some pre recorded performances - so this time, stepping on stage live was something special.
about this performance
In April 2025, I had the chance to do something I’d never done before: perform my solo music live. And not just anywhere, but at PIT-CON 2025, a fan-run gathering for the Elite Dangerous community hosted by the brilliant folks at The Buur Pit.
I was absolutely buzzing when I got the invite. I’d missed the first PIT-CON and had only been involved remotely, contributing a pre-recorded tribute track called "What Does The Buur Pit Mean to Me?" (you can watch it here). This year, I was going to be there in person, on stage, playing my Elite Dangerous-inspired music in front of a real crowd. Excitement quickly gave way to nerves - not about performing, but about whether people would connect with it. My music doesn’t follow traditional song structures; it’s a 33-minute evolving ambient soundscape filled with synths, guitars, and textures inspired in part by the game.
Stripping It Down
To make it work live, I had to rethink my setup. I whittled down my studio gear to a compact but powerful live rig. I built the set around Ableton Live and the Push 2, and used my Elektron Digitakt 2 and Digitone 2 for sequencing and sound design. The MiniFreak ran through a Strymon Big Sky for lush reverb, and I had my electric guitar routed through a Quad Cortex for added depth. I also brought in game samples, audiologs, and ambient FX from Elite Dangerous to help set the scene.
The Gear I Used
- Ableton Live with Push 2
- Elektron Digitakt 2 & Digitone 2
- Arturia MiniFreak into a Strymon Big Sky
- Music Man Luke Electric guitar through a Quad Cortex
- Tascam Model 12
- Various samples and drum tracks, including voice logs from Elite Dangerous
getting there
I arrived the day before the event to help with setup. The room was already coming together when I got there, and it was incredible to finally meet so many people I’d known online for years. Everyone pitched in to get the stage, lights, and PA ready. By the time Saturday rolled around, the atmosphere was electric.
Showtime
I wasn’t nervous about playing, but I was nervous it might not land - it’s not songs, it’s an ambient experience. But the crowd was amazing.
When I got up on stage, I wasn’t worried about performing. What I really hoped for was that people would "get it." I forgot to start a timer - classic - so I had to rely on instinct to keep the set within my time slot. But once I started, I lost myself in it. It felt like the right crowd, the right space, the right moment. I also included a nod to CMDR Jameson using his emotional in-game voice logs over the music.
This was about building a world in sound. For just over half an hour, I wanted people to drift through the Elite Dangerous galaxy with me.
The feedback was incredible. People came up to me throughout the day saying they were excited to hear me play. Some even knew my older music, which blew me away. After I got home, I released a studio version of the set on YouTube so people could hear it in full fidelity. The response online, on Discord, and across socials has been so encouraging.
Capturing the Experience
Alongside the studio and live recordings, I filmed the whole weekend—from the drive down from Dundee to post-show reflections. I wanted to document the reality of doing this kind of gig as an independent ambient artist.
What's Next?
This experience has lit a fire under me. I’m hoping to do more live shows, especially closer to home in Scotland. I’m also working on my third album, planning to launch a music livestream series, and looking into starting a Patreon. I’ve even got a few collaborations in the works.
- More live shows
- Finishing Album 3
- Launching a regular music livestream
- Starting a Patreon
- Collaborations in the works
TOCOSo, HELI & ALZO
The night didn’t end with my set. Tocoso took to the stage with his distinctive, beautifully crafted music inspired by Elite Dangerous. If you’re a fan of the game, he’s got a song that’ll hit home for you. Heli’s vocals were stunning too - powerful, emotive, and the perfect complement to Tocoso’s sound. It was a real highlight to join them both on stage as a backing guitarist while they brought their world to life. A brilliant end to an unforgettable day. You can listen to more from Tocoso and Heli here.
pit-con 2025 VIDEOS
A high-quality studio recreation of the set
The full live performance, with remastered audio
A behind-the-scenes video, documenting my trip from Dundee to Nottingham, the setup, the show, and my reflections
🎧 New to Alzo music?
If you’re new to my music, I’d describe it as ambient soundscapes with guitars and textured synth layers. My first two albums, Explorers and Discoveries, are a great place to start—especially Discoveries. You can find them all on Bandcamp:
Connect with Me
- 🌐 Website: alzo.co.uk
- 🎥 YouTube: @AlzoXP
- 🎶 Spotify: Listen
- 📷 Instagram: @alzoxp
- 🌐 Bluesky: @alzoxp
- 🐦 Twitter/X: @alzoxp
- 🤝 Thanks to The Buur Pit for making PITCON happen
CMDR NOZONE: My Roadie
I wanted to give a little shout out to my pal (and roadie for the weekend) CMDR NOZONE. Throughout the whole weekend he was a reliable helping hand and was able to support me with my complex setup and any issues that came up. He also helped film a lot of the experience and even helped out the whole event livestream with some quick technical thinking. On top of all of this he was marvelous company (spoiler alert: he always is).
o7 CMDR Nozone
Thank you to all CMDRs for their photographs
THE PITCON SQUIRRELS
This gang of absolute legends are the hardworking team who put the whole thing together, without them there is no Pit-Con. They spent the whole 3 days running around ensuring that everyone who was part of the event had a great time...NEWS FLASH...they succeeded.
Special shout out to the AV team who did a wonderful job capturing the whole event.
Thank you to the Buurs and all the Squirrels