We’re at Swindon’s Festival of Tomorrow this half-term

Image cr. Tiger Watts

We’ve teamed up with arts and technology experts to bring you Swindon’s first Sonic Body Lab. In a fascinating collision of music, dance, art and technology, the lab will give visitors the opportunity to try out, and input into the design of, interactive wearable sound sculptures.

Described as “a sound installation activated by the moving body”, the interactive lab is part of Swindon’s annual Festival of Tomorrow (FoT) and is geared towards ages 4 to 11 and their families, providing a truly explorative opportunity for all ages to discover what the future of performance might look like.

As well as testing out the wearable artworks, which can be played like instruments, participants will have the chance to input into the design of future wearables through a range of creative activities including clay-sculpting.

Our Artistic Director Adrienne Hart says: “We’re very pleased to be back at The Festival of Tomorrow with a brand new concept this year. Asking the question ‘what will music look, sound and feel like in the future?’, the lab brings together a real mix of arts and technology that I truly believe will vitalize anyone who walks through the door. I hope it provides a creative and exciting half-term activity for families in our home town of Swindon. It would be great to see you, so please pop in at any time, and stay as long as you like.”

The project grew out of an ongoing international collaboration between Neon and Dr Ana Rajcevic, an Artist and Research Scientist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, and follows on from last year’s Festival lab, which showcased live performance robots developed in partnership with Bristol Robotics Lab. Ideas generated in the lab will feed into future Neon Dance performances, and visitors who input into the design of the prototype wearables will be able to see their input up-close when they return for FoT 2026 next February.

The Sonic Body Lab is presented by Neon Dance as part of Swindon’s FoT 2025. Find it at Swindon Designer Outlet (Unit 94 - next to The Body Shop) Saturday 15 - Saturday 22 February, 10am - 4pm each day. Entry is free.

Those interested in delving further into the topic of immersive sonic experiences can join a talk at The Deanery CE Academy (or tune in online) on 22 February at 2.15pm - booking ahead is advised. You can find the Immersive Worlds talk details here.