coming soon…
Now Hear This – The Sound Revolution
Our upcoming, award-winning documentary, follows the transformation of three iconic Hackney grassroots music venues and the campaign to transform live music venues into audio-inclusive spaces for everyone.
Awards wins:
- Best Short Documentary at the Barcelona Planet Film Festival
- Best Documentary at the Berlin Indie Film Festival Awards
transforming music venues for all
The electric atmosphere of a live gig should be available to everyone. Yet, for nearly 30% of the population, people with hearing sensitivities, neurodivergence, or who are hard-of-hearing, traditional music venues can create a sensory overload. We’re talking muddy sound, excessive reverberation and overwhelming noise levels.
We’re changing that, one venue at a time.
Oscar Acoustics and Sownd Affects have joined forces to deliver audio-inclusive upgrades at three of Hackney’s iconic live music venues – as featured in the award-winning documentary, ‘Now Hear This – The Sound Revolution’.
It chronicles Marion Marincat on his personal journey, from his profound hearing loss at age 26 to founding Sownd Affects in 2024, a pioneering initiative devoted to championing audio inclusivity for the 30% of people who are noise-sensitive.
Through the lens of this life-changing story, the documentary captures the transformative collaboration between Oscar Acoustics and Sownd Affects as they bring the acoustic upgrades to life across three renowned music venues.
the Hackney project: Three venues, one revolutionary approach
As featured in Now Hear This, we’ve transformed three of Hackney’s much-loved grassroots music spaces:
- Vortex Jazz Club – Providing a platform for jazz, improvised and experimental music
- SJQ – Hackney’s vibrant hub for grassroots music
- Paper Dress Vintage – Where quirky fashion meets avant-garde sounds
Spearheaded by Sownd Affects, with support from Arts Council England, Oscar Acoustics has installed state-of-the-art acoustic treatments that go beyond simply solving noise issues. These installations combine human-centred design with advanced acoustic science to create more accessible, immersive, and enjoyable musical experiences.
the result?
Spectacular sound quality that everyone can enjoy, regardless of hearing sensitivity or neurodivergence.
Lyrics are easier to understand, bass feels powerful yet controlled, and musicians can connect more deeply with their audience.
The three Hackney venues were certified through the Sownd Certification process, a method that includes acoustic measurement before and after treatment, staff awareness training, and independent verification against noise-sensitivity standards.
It’s not just better acoustics; it’s about an enhanced immersive experience for everyone.
Watch the story unfold in Now Hear This, coming soon.
the power of partnership
Now Hear This showcases the transformation that occurs when science meets human-centred design.
Oscar Acoustics is proud to have partnered with Sownd Affects, the creators of Sownd Certification, for the production of this film. Sownd Certification, the world’s first accreditation for audio-inclusive buildings, is helping to deliver better sound that improves comfort and clarity for everyone who uses a space.
- Oscar Acoustics – brings almost 50 years of expertise as Great Britain’s leading provider of architectural acoustic finishes. Ben Hancock, Oscar Acoustics Managing Director, says, “Our mission is to design spaces where everyone can experience the magic of live music, comfortably and safely.”
- Sownd Affects – contributes cutting-edge acoustic science and human-centred design principles. Sownd Affects founder Marion Marincat comments on adapting venues for audio inclusivity “It’s a thoughtful, science and human-led approach that designs environments and nurtures an ongoing culture to avoid overwhelming the senses.”
watch the story unfold
The film, produced by Oscar Acoustics in association with Sownd Affects, boasts winner of Best Documentary at the Barcelona Planet Film Festival and Best Short Documentary at the Berlin Indie Film Festival.
It follows Marion’s mission to raise awareness of the positive impact of thoughtful acoustic design on noise-sensitive people, and delves into the broader social impact of this ground breaking project:
- Venue staff regaining focus and reducing sensory overload.
- The ripple effects of inclusive design.
- The pioneering spirit behind making the borough of Hackney a model for audio inclusivity.
Now Hear This invites viewers to witness how improving spaces for those with hearing sensitivities and neurodivergence can spark systemic change and how sound can be reframed as a means of inclusion, joy, and connection.