Hackney music venues given acoustic upgrades in pioneering audio-inclusivity project

The venues are set to host a series of specially curated gigs to celebrate the work. Photograph: courtesy Sownd

Three grassroots Hackney venues have been upgraded in a landmark project to make live music more inclusive.

Sownd Affects, an initiative run by profoundly deaf local resident Marion Marincat, is on a mission to open up social experiences to the one in three people who are sensitive to noise.

That could include those who are hard of hearing, neurodivergent, or live with conditions such as misophonia, which causes extreme emotional or physiological reactions to certain sounds.

With funding from Arts Council England, Sownd Affects has outfitted three of the borough’s much-loved venues – Paper Dress Vintage, Vortex and SJQ – with state-of-the-art acoustics.

The enhancements were designed using data collected by the University of Southampton, with staff training and workshops also carried out to further help the venues create an inclusive atmosphere.

Marincat said: “We believe audio inclusivity isn’t just about addressing problems – it’s about unlocking joy and connection for everyone.

“When we adapt spaces so they can host inclusive events, it’s not simply about lowering the volume or creating silence.

“It’s a thoughtful, science and human-led approach that designs environments and nurtures an ongoing culture to avoid overwhelming the senses, so the focus stays on what truly matters: the joy of the experience.”

The changes have gone down well at SJQ in Dalston, with owner Alice Passey calling them “amazing”.

She added: “My staff previously experienced difficulty in focusing and mental fatigue after a shift when the bar is loud and busy. They can now easily hear and communicate with customers, which I believe will lead to a happier workforce.

“As a noise-sensitive person myself – I have ADHD – I am so proud to be able to deliver these audio inclusive experiences that more of our community will be able to enjoy.”

The audio upgrades for the Hackney venues were undertaken by experts from Oscar Acoustics, who were so moved by the initiative that they invested £20,000 in funding.

Managing director Ben Hancock said: “As someone who lives with tinnitus, I understand the barriers noise can create.

“Our mission is to design spaces where everyone can experience the magic of live music – comfortably and safely.

“This project proves what’s possible when cultural institutions, technology leaders, and local government work together.”

Hackney mayor Caroline Woodley said she was proud that the borough was “at the forefront of cultural innovation that puts inclusivity at its heart”.

She added: “Everyone deserves to enjoy live music in a way that respects their sensory needs, and this project reflects our ongoing commitment to building a borough where no-one is excluded from the cultural life of our community.”

All three local venues will celebrate their transformations with a series of live acoustic gigs that have been specially curated for the noise-sensitive community.

For more information, or to book tickets to any of the gigs, visit sownd.co.uk.