Projects
Haptic HENGE
Haptic HENGE
Creating an immersive, multi-sensory live music experience in collaboration with the band HENGE, using an innovative haptic dance floor and LED lighting system and incorporating British Sign Language into an immersive gig experience.
Rowan James will collaborate with the intergalactic rock band HENGE for an exciting and inclusive new project. Known for their immersive live performances and unique sound, HENGE are a British electronic crossover rock band formed in Manchester in 2015. Performing as their fictional alien alter-egos — Zpor, Goo, Grok, and Nom — the band describe their genre as “Cosmic Dross,” blending heavy rock, electronica, and theatrical storytelling into an unforgettable show.
This innovative collaboration will bring our groundbreaking haptic floor technology to HENGE gigs in Bristol throughout 2025, transforming the live music experience into something truly immersive, accessible, and open to all. The haptic floor system converts sound into powerful felt vibrations beneath your feet, creating a tactile experience that allows audiences to literally feel the music. Combined with synchronised LED lighting, the dance floor becomes a living, breathing extension of the soundscape.
The goal of the project is to create a gig environment that’s inclusive for everyone — especially for D/deaf, hard-of-hearing, and neurodiverse audience members who benefit from alternative ways of experiencing music. Whether you’re dancing along or simply exploring the sensation of vibrations beneath your feet, the haptic floor invites you to connect with the music on a whole new level.
And it doesn’t stop there — both performances will also feature live British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, seamlessly integrated into the show’s performance, ensuring that communication and creativity are accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
This is more than just a gig — it’s a multisensory celebration of connection, sound, and inclusive creativity. Join us on the dance floor in 2025 and experience the power of Cosmic Dross like never before!
This innovative collaboration will bring Beat Blocks’ groundbreaking haptic floor technology to HENGE gigs in Bristol throughout 2025, transforming the live music experience into something truly immersive, accessible, and open to all. The Beat Blocks system converts sound into powerful felt vibrations beneath your feet, creating a tactile experience that allows audiences to literally feel the music. Combined with synchronised LED lighting, the dance floor becomes a living, breathing extension of the soundscape.
The goal of the project is to create a gig environment that’s inclusive for everyone — especially for D/deaf, hard-of-hearing, and neurodiverse audience members who benefit from alternative ways of experiencing music. Whether you’re dancing along or simply exploring the sensation of vibrations beneath your feet, the haptic floor invites you to connect with the music on a whole new level.
And it doesn’t stop there — both performances will also feature live British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, seamlessly integrated into the show’s performance, ensuring that communication and creativity are accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
This is more than just a gig — it’s a multisensory celebration of connection, sound, and inclusive creativity. Join us on the dance floor in 2025 and experience the power of Cosmic Dross like never before!
Expand
£50,000
Aims of the Project
Our main goal is to scale up the haptic floor to 16–24 tiles, the largest configuration we’ve attempted, and integrate a responsive LED system that reacts to rhythm and frequency in the music.
This will also be our first large-scale test of using the tech as a tool for creative collaboration, as well as introducing it to family and adult audiences.
Meet the artists
Rowan James
Lead Artist
He/Him
Rowan James is an artist, poet, and founder of a haptic dance floor, with a background in theatre and spoken word. He was a member of the South West Creative Technology Network and is a current resident of the Pervasive Media Studio.
His work explores themes of disability, discrimination, and the different models of disability, drawing from his lived experience and a decade of teaching Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Rowan’s creative practice integrates accessibility and inclusion as central artistic choices rather than afterthoughts. “My dream for the haptic floor is for it to be used as a multi-sensory sound system in large venues.”
HENGE
“Henge – Music and Performance Directors (Best Live Act – Independent Festival Awards in 2018)
“”extraterrestrial joy-mongers”” – A science-fiction concept band that skilfully blend elements of electronic and rock music with theatrical storytelling.
Ellen Booth
Producer
Creative Producer with 10 years of experience gained within National Portfolio Organisations, International Arts Festivals and direct collaborations with artists & companies. Working across art forms and locations – outdoor, indoor and site specific.
Michael Fergie
Creative Technologist
Creative Technologist and long term Beat Blocks Collaborator and UWE Music Tech Graduate.
Nighthawk Graphics
Lighting Designer
Nighthawk Graphics – Lighting Designer – formerly of Dreamtech – clients included Cirque De Soleil, BBC, Sky Sports, CBBC
Ear Trumpet Music
Music Promoters
Music Promoters who are running the Henge events at the Trinity Centre, with a global network of venues and festivals that will open up to us
