A New VR Club Experience Is Being Trialed At Electronic Music Conference Next Week

Electronic Music Conference has today announced its full and final program for next week's The Reboot day conference at the Powerhouse Museum on the 5th of April.

The event announced its opening speaker will be What So Not, an exploration into the mindset of one of Australia's most dynamic and constantly evolving artists. The conversation will take place with Sally Coleman, and will address topics including how to influence a healthy scene, commitment to culture, community and battling lockdown experiences.

The Reboot takes place across 8 spaces in Sydney's Powerhouse Museum.

EMC has also today announced an exciting VR project that is over 18 months in the making. SYNC is a virtual club, created through a partnership between the organisation and Creative Technologist Georgie Pinn, that includes performances from Australian electronic and dance music artists. 

While COVID was the catalyst for the project, EMC director Jane Slingo and Pinn combined to explore the possibilities beyond the 2D live streaming space, to expand the digital live music experience. While lockdowns were its trigger, the opportunity lies with its ability to deliver club experiences in an accessible way.

Leading disability, accessibility and inclusion consultant Morwenna Collett and expert cultural consultant Kelly Dezart-Smith have each provided best practice guidelines and advice throughout the development of the SYNC prototype, focussing on VR access for people living with disability, as well as culturally diverse and gender diverse people.

Slingo stated, "There can be many reasons that people do not attend events, gigs, clubs and shows in physical spaces. Some venues are not accessible for people with disability, some people are hindered by distance, some people may love an artist but may not feel safe in hetereo white spaces.

"Understanding the potential of the metaverse to deliver greater access for people to enjoy live music performances, Georgie and I were really focussed on accessibility and inclusion from the very early stages of development."

Technologist Pinn stated, “The main focus of my creative practice is to augment empathy and break down stereotypes and prejudice,using immersive tech and storytelling to connect strangers.

"VR is the perfect space to shapeshift in and to explore different multiple identities. Not only does the user get to customise their own avatar, but the selection of body parts are hybrid and surreal, stepping outside of the aesthetic norms of reality."

You can check out the full Reboot program HERE, and grab final tickets to the conference HERE.