Real World Recalls # 1.1
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Peter Gabriel
‘So’

12th – 17th October 2026

Spend a week in the beautiful setting of Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios as we open-up the original multitrack recordings of a classic album in the company of the original mixer.

Following on from the success of the first Real World Recalls event in May, we’re doing a repeat of the all-inclusive residency programme at Real World Studios, featuring Peter Gabriel’s classic album So.

Open to all music fans, not just music makers, this series of residencies will explore the making of a classic album in the company of the person that originally mixed it. You will spend your week with one of the few people that can really tell you all the stories you want to hear about an album you love and answer the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.

They will show you just how the album was put together, explaining the techniques used at the time and looking at ways the modern studio could have improved the results… or could it?

Again we will be in the company of Kevin Killen, the original mixer and recording engineer of Peter Gabriel’s classic album So, while it still celebrates its 40th anniversary year.

Kevin will play you through all the original multitrack sessions, lovingly converted from tape to digital. Songs like Don’t Give Up, Red Rain and the legendary Sledgehammer will be laid bare and dissected. Each part has a story and Kevin is the perfect man to tell it.

ARTIST   –

ALBUM   –

MIXER   –

DATES   –

PETER GABRIEL

‘SO’

KEVIN KILLEN

12th-17th Oct 2026

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How Does It Work?

Your days at Real World will be split into a morning and afternoon session, each 3 hours long with a short intermission. Song by song, Kevin will open a digital multitrack session and talk through how each song evolved to its final iteration.

In the hour before dinner there will be a variety of off-topic talks or events looking at subjects related to the album, all yet to be confirmed.

After dinner there is the option of getting ‘hands-on’ in one of the Real World mix spaces, in groups of 5 or 6, with one of the Real World engineering team, looking again at one of the songs from the day.

Real World Recalls will conclude at 5pm on the Saturday. Anyone opting to stay on the Saturday night is welcome to go for dinner (and possibly a small party de-brief of some description) at the local pub.

Kevin Killen

Kevin Killen is an eight-time Grammy Award-winning Irish producer, engineer, and mixer with a prolific career spanning over five decades. Known for his technical precision and musical sensitivity, he has worked with a diverse array of iconic artists including U2, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Kate Bush, Shakira and most recently David Byrne.

Killen began his career in 1979 as a trainee at Dublin’s Lombard Sound Studios, quickly advancing to an engineering role. He then moved to the prestigious Windmill Lane Studios, famous for its work with U2. There, he assisted on U2’s War album and engineered their acclaimed The Unforgettable Fire (1984), working with the production team of Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois.

Relocating to New York City in the mid-1980s, Killen’s reputation grew rapidly. He engineered Peter Gabriel’s multi-platinum album So and mixed Kate Bush’s The Sensual World. His diverse discography also includes significant work on the hit soundtrack for the film The Commitments and projects for artists such as Bon Jovi, Jewel, and Shawn Colvin. A major career highlight came when he recorded and produced David Bowie’s final and critically acclaimed album, Blackstar, which earned him two Grammy Awards in 2017.

Killen has embraced both analog and digital recording environments, known for his “in-the-box” mixing approach. Beyond his studio work, he co-founded the music collaboration website eSession and currently shares his expertise as an adjunct professor at NYU, shaping the next generation of music professionals.

Images and feedback from the first Real World Recalls event in May

‘It felt like family (with fishing net?) I can hardly find the words to describe this amazing experience! Around the time of my 15th birthday (in 1980), I entered the wonderful world of PG when I bought the LP PG3, and I haven’t left it since. I’ve grown up with every release of his records and many Real World productions; they’re all an integral part of my life. Being able to come here was a dream come true. And the fact that I was chosen from among the 35 people was more than just a fluke – OMG! I intend to send more detailed feedback in a few days’ time, once I’ve had a chance to think it all over.’

‘It was a wonderful experience that I’ll never forget. I can’t thank you enough for the warm welcome, the great conversation, humour, and delicious food! As the first Recall you hit it out of the park with a great schedule and content. More than that, I felt like I made new friends during the week with the various folks who worked at the studio — everyone was so down to earth and engaging. Thank you!’

‘It was a singular event- the material, Kevin, the space itself, all the staff, the generosity of spirit that permeated the whole event Thank you’

 

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