# One-Man-Band Kits Plug + Play by Neil Merry Gives Solo Musicians a Big Band Feel By Meghan Young | Published 2013-07-18 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plug-play References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/1672914/an-instant-one-man-band-kit-twists-and-slams-the-solo-show) Plug + Play is an ingeniously fun kit that instantly gives a one-man music show the stage presence of a big band. In particular, it targets electronic musicians whose full creative force is often expressed behind closed doors in a studio. The mastermind behind the Plug + Play kit, Neil Merry, a recent graduate of London’s [Royal College of Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phytosymbiosis), reasons that they are very much "unlike a guitarist or vocalist who can command a stage and create a sense of visual drama." The Plug + Play kit gives these artists an upper hand. It is comprised of four sensors that connect to any part of a live set (guitar, microphone, etc) as well as a standard music software that responds to the musician's specific movements. Complete with [lights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightboks), it will rock people's worlds. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 12% | Activity: 38% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Solo Performance Tech:** Developing sensor-based and intuitive technology to enhance the stage presence of solo musicians. - **Electronic Music Innovation:** Advancing music technology to make electronic music creation and performance easier for solo artists. - **Multi-instrument Integration:** Integrating sensors and software to allow solo musicians to play multiple instruments and emulate a full band sound. ### Who This Affects Most - **Music Technology:** Creating innovative music tech that enables solo artists to perform like a full band, tapping into the growing trend of electronic and solo music. - **Live Performance Equipment:** Developing new equipment specifically for solo artists that makes it easier for them to perform live with a big band sound. - **Music Education:** Incorporating sensor-based technology into music education to teach students more about electronic music creation and solo performance. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Modular Portable Sound Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-portable-sound-system.md) - [Effect-Emitting Guitar Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/guitar-gadgets.md) - [Music-Driven Pleasure Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/groove-thing.md) - [Portable Music Controllers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-midi-controller.md) - [Playful Music Production Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mytracks.md) - [Stackable Modular Synths](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3tonic.md) - [Interactive Music Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sound-maestro.md) - [Gamified Music-Making Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beat-machine.md) - [Introductory Connected Device Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plug-and-make-kit.md)