Audio Hive Installation (2024)

Commissioned by New Substance and the Co-op Live, this permanent sound installation has been launched as part of a public art trail through Ancoats, New Islington, and Holt Town. It enhances the existing CityLink pedestrian route, originally opened to coincide with the Commonwealth Games in 2002. The installation aims to encourage visitors attending matches at the Etihad, events at the Velodrome or other sporting venues, and gigs at Co-op Live to take the tram or walk to their destinations.

I have created four custom multi-channel soundscapes for the six-channel speaker system, depicting the sounds of Manchester through the themes of Nature, Sport, and Music. To capture the ambiance of the city, I recorded local wildlife and attended multiple matches at the Etihad to capture ambisonic recordings, which feature prominently in the work.

You can visit the installation here, which is under the bridge right next to the Holt Town tram stop. There is a resting nature soundscape playing in the day, and then depending on the events being held in the area, there will be either a sporting, football, or musical/cultural event soundscape.