Pitchblack Playback

Pitchblack Playback is a series of listening sessions inviting the music-loving public to hear upcoming album releases and classic LPs like never before.

But that’s not all. To ensure that there’s no distractions and that you're totally immersed in the music, our events are staged in the dark. It’s just you and the music.

Pitchblack Playback isn’t aimed at audiophiles; it’s simply for lovers of damn good music who still value the album as an artform and who want to hear their favourite records and exclusive first plays through the most immersive, detailed and visceral sound experience possible. You'll feel the bass in your body and hear details you never noticed before. Your hearing is heightened when your vision is cut off and it only serves to make the music feel more intense.

Once you’ve heard music like this, you’ll want to come back for more.

Wed, 18 Mar

Pitchblack Playback: J Dilla 'Donuts' (20th Anniversary)

Immerse yourself in J Dilla's incredible swansong at Pitchblack Playback's listening session in the dark, celebrating the 20th anniversary of 'Donuts' this month. Hear this immense record played loud in uncompressed audio on our powerful Screen One sound system. No distractions; just you and the music. "This sounds great' - Rick Rubin "A fabulous idea" - Jay Kay, Jamiroquai "The optimal way to listen to an album" - Max Richter "This might just be my favourite new thing to do" - Nihal, BBC Radio 5 Live Ticket includes Pitchblack Playback eye mask for extra darkness. As recommended by The Guardian, GQ, Time Out and BBC 6 Music. Please arrive by event start time as latecomers will not be admitted and refunds will not be offered!

21:00 music S1

Tue, 24 Mar

Pitchblack Playback: Carole King 'Tapestry' + Nick Drake 'Bryter Layter'

Travel back to 1971 for a double-bill of two folky stunners at Pitchblack Playback's listening session in the dark, celebrating their 55th anniversaries. Hear these immense records played loud in uncompressed audio on our powerful Screen One sound system. No distractions; just you and the music. "This sounds great' - Rick Rubin "A fabulous idea" - Jay Kay, Jamiroquai "The optimal way to listen to an album" - Max Richter "This might just be my favourite new thing to do" - Nihal, BBC Radio 5 Live Ticket includes Pitchblack Playback eye mask for extra darkness. As recommended by The Guardian, GQ, Time Out and BBC 6 Music. Album duration: 95 minutes (including 10-minute interval) Please arrive by event start time as latecomers will not be admitted and refunds will not be offered!

21:00 music S1

Tue, 7 Apr

Pitchblack Playback: Arthur Russell 'World Of Echo'

Please arrive by event start time as latecomers will not be admitted. Immerse yourself in the dreamy world of Arthur Russell at Pitchblack Playback's listening session in the dark for 'World Of Echo'. Hear this immense record played loud in uncompressed audio on our powerful Screen One sound system. No distractions; just you and the music. "This sounds great” — Rick Rubin
"A fabulous idea" — Jay Kay, Jamiroquai
"The optimal way to listen to an album" — Max Richter
"This might just be my favourite new thing to do" — Nihal, BBC Radio 5 Live Ticket includes Pitchblack Playback eye mask for extra darkness. As recommended by The Guardian, GQ, Time Out and BBC 6 Music. Album duration: 69 minutes 'World Of Echo' is being reissued this April on coloured vinyl with new sleeve notes by Russell's long-term partner, Tom Lee, and manager of his catalogue at Audika Records, Steve Knutson. The reissue is part of Rough Trade's 50th anniversary series, in which they are repressing exclusive new editions of seminal albums from their history.

21:00 music S1

The End

That's it for now.
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