In an age where human attention is fragmented, what does the rise in listening spaces reveal about our desire for more intentional forms of music consumption, and for music venues where sound, atmosphere and space are given equal weight?

Over the past few years, listening spaces have flourished across major UK cities, from hifi bars and listening rooms to community-focused spaces and pop-up soundsystems that take intentional listening beyond venues. Increasingly intimate and listening-focused, these spaces are creating new ways for people to gather around music, their growing popularity pointing to a wider appetite for presence, deep listening and shared experience. For spaces that ask us not simply to hear music, but to give it our full attention.

In this panel, we will discuss the role these spaces play in strengthening music communities, and what they can teach us about attention, connection and the value of slowing down beyond the listening room.

Joining this conversation we have Yu Su, electronic music producer and DJ, founder of ‘Big Ears’ Soundsystem, Henry Farrant, founder of listening-led cultural space ‘Shai Space’, Reuben Mckenzie and Indian Classical selector and NTS resident, Pritpal Ajimal.