Taiko Meantime

Taiko Meantime is one of the largest Taiko groups in the UK with up to 12 performing members. Meantime play original Taiko compositions, but with roots based firmly in a rich bed of traditional Taiko rhythms and techniques from all over Japan. Drawing upon this knowledge, their performances display a wide variety of physical playing styles, rhythms and musical textures.

They were founded in 2001 with generous support from the Japan2001 festival. The group has since evolved, performing for diverse audiences from art dealers to marathon runners, clubbers to royalty.

They continue to inspire audiences with their uplifting music, boundless energy and pure enjoyment of playing Taiko.

Mark Alcock, leader of Taiko Meantime, studied and performed Taiko drumming with the Tennon Daiko drummers of Wakayama prefecture in Southern Japan. His teachers include Katsuji Kondo, former front man of the world famous Kodo drummers.

On his return to England in 1994, he began playing with the brilliant Japanese percussionist Joji Hirota. He regularly performs Taiko with Joji and has played with Joji and Peter Lockett on their ‘Taiko to Tabla’ projects.

Mark was also an original member of Glasgow-based Mugenkyo.

He has played with other musicians such as Chinese flautist Guo Yue, and dhol drummer Jonny Kalsi.

In 1996 he began teaching Taiko with James Barrow, offering the first hands-on Taiko workshops in the UK to members of the public and schools.

Taiko Workshops
Members of Taiko Meantime hold public Taiko workshops for people of all ages.
Taiko Meantime regularly take the Taiko drums to primary and secondary schools, all around the UK, for introductory Taiko workshops or longer residential projects. These usually culminate in a stunning display of Taiko by the children for the rest of the school.