Turn It Up: The Power of Music at the Science and Industry Museum

Johnny James, Managing Editor
Science Museum Group © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Turn It Up: The Power of Music at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield 21 October 2022 — 29 May 2023 Tickets from £6.00 — Book now

A world premiere exhibition is currently being housed at the Science and Industry Museum. Suitable for children and adults alike, Turn It Up: The Power of Music is an interactive experience exploring the science of music’s mysterious hold over us, and how it drives us to create, perform, feel and share.

The exhibition invites us to dig deep into the transformative power of music. Its power to colour our emotions, spark memories, even shape our decisions. Explore how technological advancements push the limits of music and make playing music more accessible for everyone. Discover how music is being used as medicine around the world, from improving the wellbeing of people with dementia to increasing premature babies’ chances of survival.

The thought-provoking exhibition is designed to be thoroughly hands-on. Take part in a musical Turing test and see if you can tell the difference between songs written by humans and machines. Meet Haile the musical robot, who can improvise drum patterns in response to human musicians. Play your part in a newly commissioned ‘musical playground’, where you can get together with family and friends and jam with beats, melodies and harmonies.

Alongside these interactive activities, you can catch sight of some fascinating displays. See the groundbreaking MiMU Gloves, created by Imogen Heap and used by artists like Ariana Grande to use gestures to control electronic music-making software live on stage. Discover some weird and wonderful instruments like the Pyrophone, an organ powered by flames. View a mass display of playback devices from gramophones all the way to modern day items, and the lost technologies in between.

Expect a fun-loving yet informative experience that encourages us all to feel, to remember and to reflect on what music means to us and the lives of others. Alongside the exhibition, there’ll be a range of special events. Think after-hours fun, holiday activities, a series of BSL interpreted tours, relaxed sessions and ‘Experitots’ sessions for families with younger children. Keep an eye on the Science and Industry Museum’s website for the latest word on that.

As for the main exhibition, it will run at the Museum until 21 May 2023 (so get your skates on if you want to catch it here!), after which it will tour nationally and internationally. We’re thrilled to be able to experience it first in the great music city of Manchester.

Turn It Up: The Power of Music at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield 21 October 2022 — 29 May 2023 Tickets from £6.00 Book now

Accessibility

  • Parent and Baby

Part of Manchester Science Festival 2024

Manchester Science Festival 2024
FestivalsManchester
Manchester Science Festival 2024

Expect a packed programme of fun, family-friendly daytime activities and adults-only evening events spanning never-seen-before installations, live performance and interactive adventures.

Manchester Science Festival 2024
FestivalsManchester
Manchester Science Festival 2024

Expect a packed programme of fun, family-friendly daytime activities and adults-only evening events spanning never-seen-before installations, live performance and interactive adventures.

Where to go near Turn It Up: The Power of Music at the Science and Industry Museum

Manchester
Restaurant
Teppanyaki Chinatown

A Japanese teppanyaki restaurant in the centre of Chinatown. The focus is on high-quality food with a minimum of theatrics. It doesn’t disappoint.

Manchester
Music venue
Castlefield Bowl

The Castlefield Bowl is an outdoor events pavilion in the inner city conservation area of Castlefield in Manchester. The 8000-capacity arena is often used for food festivals and music events.

Great John Street Hotel in Spinningfields in Manchester.
Castlefield
Hotel
Great John Street Hotel

A converted Victorian school house nestled on the edge of Spinningfields, the Great John Street Hotel has a relaxed and decadent atmosphere.

Castlefield
Bar or Pub
Cask

Cask is a well-loved pub on Liverpool Road in Manchester. It has an excellent selection of continental beers and a cosy beer garden.

Castlefield
Event venue
Castlefield Viaduct

Launching in summer 2022, the National Trust and Twelve Architects and Masterplanners will be bringing a new lease of life to Castlefield Viaduct.

Manchester
Restaurant
Fenix

Modern Greek Mediterranean cuisine from the team behind Tattu.

Altrincham
Shop
IDAHO

Every piece in IDAHO has something special and will guarantee to make your homes, offices and wardrobes feel a little more inspiring.

Castlefield
Theatre
Versa Manchester Studios

Formerly the Old Granada Studios, VERSA Manchester Studios is evolving into a dynamic Studio Campus with TV, Film, Motion Capture and VR / AR Studios alongside a glamorous new Soho House.

What's on: Exhibitions

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