Sownd of the Underground

Three of Hackney’s nighttime venues have become the first in the UK to be ‘audio-inclusive’– but what does that mean and why is it important?

Marion Marincat chats to Ben Hancock, MD of Oscar Acoustics

Vortex, SJQ, and Paper Dress Vintage have undergone transformational upgrades, thanks to one resident’s fight to make live music experiences more accessible.

The project is the work of Sownd Affects, an organisation founded by profoundly deaf Hackney resident, Marion Marincat. At 26 years old, he lost his hearing and said the biggest problem was socialising in noisy environments.

He explains: “I’m a music lover so I really wanted that excitement back, but I noticed most places aren’t designed for people with hearing challenges.”

With funding from Arts Council England, the project aims to make live music more inclusive for the one in three people sensitive to noise – including those who are neurodivergent, hard of hearing, or living with conditions such as misophonia (a fear of certain sounds).

Each venue has undergone a combination of enhancements based on data collected by the University of Southampton and acoustic treatments by Oscar Acoustics.

At Vortex Jazz Club, in Dalston, there are now acoustic ceiling panels in the bar area, which are designed to soak up noise and make it easier to hear and talk.

The venue is also putting on gigs without amplifying the instruments to minimise echoes and reverberation.

Staff have undergone training and workshops to foster a genuinely inclusive and sound-conscious environment. This initiative aims to transform spaces into sound-friendly areas, rather than noise-disruptive ones, making them more accessible.

In March, Hackney hosted its second Hearing Wellness Week, with audio-inclusive gigs, a Hackney Quiet Guided Walk in partnership with Footways, and a workplace sound wellbeing workshop for local businesses.

Marion says the changes have made a difference already. He explains: “We have found that not only is everyone having a better experience, but the music sounds better.

“We’re looking at implementing this in restaurants, offices and hotels – anywhere unwanted noise is an issue. Audio-inclusivity is something we want the whole world to adopt.”

Visit: sownd.co.uk