About

Southsea Cinema and Arts Centre will be transform for sub frequencies and haptic art as it hosts the groundbreaking Sub-Bar Show from 25 to 27 April. A revolutionary audiovisual experience designed to be felt, not just heard, this 90-minute, immersive performance blends music, research, and storytelling to transform spaces into pulsating pressure rooms, creating a sensory-rich world for both Deaf and hearing audiences.

For over 40,000 years, music has relied on sound. The first Sub-Bar Show redefined this legacy, pioneering a new artistic language based on touch. Through air pressure modulation, vibrations, and moments of profound silence, the innovative show challenged the way audiences experience music. With its global premiere in nearly 30 cities worldwide, it forged a powerful connection between audiences, venues, and cultures — all through the universal language of sensation.

It all began in Berlin, late 2021, when 30 people encountered something entirely new. For three hours, they remained in a space where the air pressure and vibrations from subwoofers immersed their bodies, leading to a deep, meditative state. The impact was profound: some cried in liberation, others drifted into sleep, and one left in panic. Yet, the overwhelming response was a shared realisation.

One participant said: "I feel like my mind and my body are one."

The Sub-Bar movement continued, growing from intimate experiments into a global phenomenon. Deaf and hearing artists trained at Sub-Bar Academy, mastering the art of low-frequency compositions. These pioneers have since performed at ADE Festival (Amsterdam), Silent Green (Berlin), and the Museum of Contemporary Art Serralves (Portugal).

Unlike conventional concerts, Sub-Bar performances cannot be recorded or replicated — they must be felt in person. Now, with Sub-Bar Show #1, the experience reaches its final evolution, establishing a new artistic ritual that bridges Deaf and hearing communities through the pure language of touch.

The inspiration for this project comes from Mirko Miceli, an Italian artist dedicated to accessibility in the arts. In 2019, at the Eufonia Festival Berlin, he proposed a radical idea: to create truly inclusive cultural events, we must ensure that both impaired and non-impaired audiences receive the same emotional and sensory value. Traditional music events for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals have long been compromised—allowing them to feel bass frequencies but missing the full depth of musical expression. Sub-Bar changes this, offering a holistic, multi-sensory experience that is equally meaningful for all.

With contributions from international artists like Efdemin, Reboot, Felicity Mangan, Byetone, Roberto Musci, Stefanie Egedy, Terence Fixmer, Amma Atera, and Petre Inspirescu, the Sub-Bar Show is more than an event — it’s a sensory revolution.

Shows begin at 7pm and tickets are £6.50-£7.50 (plus £1 booking fee). Entry is free for NHS staff.

Sit back, close your eyes, and immerse yourself.