Between the Grooves presents… The Rebirth of Cool

Bringing together architects, venue designers, sound specialists, musicians and cultural leaders, Between the Grooves celebrates the spaces, sounds and communities that shape how we experience music.

Programme

10:30am – 11:30am
In Conversation: Designing Hidden Grooves
David Sparks, Head of Interior Design at EPR Architects, discusses the vision behind Hidden Grooves—a hi-fi listening lounge and cocktail bar inspired by the legacy of Virgin Records.
Interviewer: Tom Cordell

11:45am – 12:30pm
In Conversation: The Sound of Hidden Grooves
Claire Munnelly, Co-Founder and Director of Project Audio, explores the design of the bespoke sound system that brings Hidden Grooves to life.
Interviewer: Richard Vivian (Big Sky Acoustics)

12:30pm – 12:50pm
Panel Discussion
David Sparks and Claire Munnelly come together to discuss the relationship between architecture, acoustics and the listening experience.
Moderator: Tom Cordell

1:30pm – 2:30pm
In Conversation: 50 Years of Rough Trade (plus audience Q&A)
Nigel House, Co-owner and Director of Rough Trade, reflects on five decades of one of the world's most influential independent record stores. Discover how Rough Trade has fostered community through exclusive vinyl releases, listening stations, intimate live performances, artist signings and unforgettable fan experiences.
Interviewer: Jonathan Sharif

6:00pm – 8:00pm
Playback Session: Mark B. & Blade – The Unknown
Experience the seminal UK hip-hop album The Unknown (Wordplay/Source/Virgin Records, 2000) in full, with rapper and producer Blade providing exclusive track-by-track commentary and insights into the making of the record.
Interviewer: Jonathan Sharif