HAVERFORDWEST’S quayside was the scene of an impromptu rave on Sunday (August 30), as a sonic artwork boomed in to town on a boat.

Commissioned by The Lab Haverfordwest, and created by artist Serena Korda, ‘Black Diamond’ is a dance music inspired track incorporating 20 field recordings of local musicians and singers, remixed by Serena and composer Andy Wheddon.

Followed by a coach-load of participants, the Black Diamond boat travelled the Western Cleddau from Neyland Marina to Haverfordwest, blasting out the track from a massive sound system as it went.

The boat’s journey was punctuated by three live riverside musical performances, and ended with a full playing of the track when the vessel arrived in the county town.

Public reaction to the artwork ranged from bemusement to great enthusiasm. People with painted faces blew whistles and threw shapes on the quayside while others stood in the rain and wondered what on earth was going on.

Hayley Barrett, 30, from Haverfordwest, travelled on the coach and enjoyed the entire Black Diamond experience.

“I think it’s great,” she enthused. “It’s brought people of all ages together from throughout Pembrokeshire. I like this sort of music anyway, and this track has been really well produced. Even though it’s a rainy Sunday, loads of people are here.”

David Jones, 40, from St Davids, was less impressed.

“The artist was paid ten grand to come up with this, and I’m struggling to see where that money has been spent,” he said. “I think it’s a load of pointless, hippy rubbish.”

The Lab Haverfordwest – based in the former Ocky White’s building - is holding an open day on Saturday, September 19, from 10am to 5pm.

“It’s a real opportunity for anyone who says they don’t understand what we’re doing to find out what The Lab is, and what our plans are,” said spokesman Guy Norman. “We are also keen to hear people’s ideas about what we could do in Haverfordwest.”

Transition Haverfordwest will be supporting the event by running a pop-up café.