Sala Apolo, the first concert venue in the Iberian Peninsula with immersive sound
Sala Apolo, the first concert venue in the Iberian Peninsula with immersive sound
Sala Apolo is taking another step forward in its commitment to sound innovation with the introduction of d&b Soundscape, an immersive sound system that transforms the way live music is experienced. With this installation, the Paral·lel venue becomes the first concert venue in the Iberian Peninsula to incorporate this technology permanently, placing it among Europe’s pioneers in immersive sound for live performances.
The new system makes it possible to position and move each sound element within the space, creating a three-dimensional experience that goes far beyond conventional stereo. Rather than having sound come solely from speakers positioned on either side of the stage, each voice, instrument or effect becomes an independent sound object that can move throughout the venue. This allows audiences not only to hear the music, but to feel immersed in it, surrounded by a living, dynamic soundscape.
In addition to distributing sounds with precision, Soundscape can also modify the acoustic perception of the space, adapting it to different types of artistic performances. The result is a more consistent listening experience that remains faithful to the artist’s creative intentions, regardless of where the audience is positioned in the venue.
The installation reinforces a direction the venue had already explored through immersive experiences such as Ritual, by Jon Hopkins, in 2024, and Takk… 360º, by Sigur Rós, in 2025. Now, however, Apolo has its own dedicated system, allowing this sonic dimension to become part of future programming and turning audio positioning into an additional creative tool.
MOUSE ON MARS TO DEBUT THE SYSTEM
The new Soundscape system will officially launch on Thursday, November 5, with a performance by Mouse on Mars, one of the most influential names in European experimental electronic music. The German duo, comprising Jan St. Werner and Andi Toma, has been exploring the spatial dimension of sound for decades and has incorporated this technology into several of its projects.
In Barcelona, they will present Spatial, No Problem., an album recorded in just three days in Berlin with Lee “Scratch” Perry, a seminal figure in reggae and dub, and his final official recording project. The album’s title comes from Perry’s spontaneous response when asked whether he was familiar with the concept of spatial audio: “Spatial, no problem.”
The work blends dub, krautrock, ambient, jazz and influences from New Orleans brass bands, finding an ideal setting at Apolo to unfold its full sonic potential through the new immersive system.
More than just a concert, the event will offer an opportunity to discover how live music can be transformed when space itself becomes a compositional tool.
