Built By Sound: FAQs
What is a mixed reality experience? Find out more about Built By Sound at Loading Bay and plan your visit.
Built by Sound is a mixed-reality experience exploring how British South Asian communities in the 1970s and ’80s found joy in defiance, in community and in music – from the thump of dhol drums in community halls to pirate radio buzzing through bedroom walls.
We’ve put together these frequently asked questions about this immersive experience to help you plan your visit.
Still got a question? Get in touch on [email protected]
What is a Mixed Reality experience?
A Mixed Reality (MR) experience combines elements of both Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to create an immersive environment where digital and physical worlds interact. You will be wearing a virtual reality headset but will at times still be able to see your surroundings through it. This will allow you to see the real world as well as the digital so you can easily navigate through the rooms of the experience.
Digital instructions will also instruct and guide you within the experience.
What equipment will I need to use?
You will be wearing a VR Headset (Meta Quest 3) and over ear headphones for the duration of the experience. A member of our team will be on hand to assist you on putting these on and fitting them correctly.
I’ve never done anything like this before, will the tech be hard to use?
Not at all! As part of the experience our friendly team will brief you on how to use the equipment and ensure that you fully understand before you get started.
Instructions will be given within the experience on how to move around and trigger interactions with simple gestures or hand movements.
A member of the team will also be with you throughout the experience should you need support or additional help.
You will be assisted to remove the equipment at the end.
Do I do the experience on my own or will there be other people with me?
The experience is designed to be ‘multiplayer’ and each timed entry slot can accommodate up to six people. If you book with friends, you can travel through the experience together. For fewer than six people, you will go through the experience with any other ticketholders who booked for that slot.
You will travel through the experience with the group, but you won’t necessarily need to interact with each other.
If only one person books onto a slot, it will go ahead as a solo experience.
Are there any age restrictions?
This experience is for people over 14 years of age only. Under 14s will not be permitted entry.
Can I wear glasses with the headset?
Yes you can wear standard size glasses underneath the headset. If you have especially large frames, you may be more comfortable with contact lenses.
Will I be seated for this event?
This is an immersive experience, where you will walk through a series of rooms interacting with various elements in the real world and in a digital world through a headset.
You will mostly be standing but seating will be available for short rests.
The experience is wheelchair accessible.
Will the experience have captions?
Yes there will be the option to turn on English language closed captions as part of the experience.
Is the performance relaxed? What if I am worried that the experience might be overwhelming or uncomfortable?
We want to make this experience accessible and welcoming for all and our friendly team will be on hand to support you throughout. You will be given clear instructions on how to show you need help.
You will be able to adjust the sound volume on your headphone at any time.
If you need to remove your headset or headphones, you can do so at any time.
You are welcome to move around during the experience.
At the end, an ‘off-boarding’ room will be available where you can reflect on the journey and relax before leaving.
A free companion ticket is available where eligible.
Can I take photos?
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the experience and other visitors’ enjoyment, you will not be able to take photographs or video inside the experience. We will ask that you leave all phones, coats and bags in a designated safe space before you enter.
There will be space to take photographs outside of the experience.
How long will the experience take?
It will take approximately 35 mins to move through the rooms wearing the headset, plus 10 mins each for onboarding and offboarding from the experience. We suggest leaving around one hour to fully complete the experience.
Will I need to share equipment with other people?
You will keep the same headset on as you move through the experience. All equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised between users using antibacterial wipes and/or cleanbox technology.
When should I arrive?
Please arrive 10 minutes before your booked entry time. The experience will begin promptly at the time of entry. Latecomers will not be admitted.
What if I am late for my booked slot, can I still join?
The experience will begin promptly at the time of entry on your ticket. Unfortunately, we are unable to admit latecomers into the session once the experience has begun. If you are late, we may be able to offer you entry to the next available free slot on the same day only (but this will be subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed) No refunds will be given if you are late for your booking and we are unable to accommodate you into a different slot. We are unable to rebook you into slots for different days.
Are babes in arms permitted?
Unfortunately babies in slings and / or prams and buggies will not be admitted into the experience