World Hearing Day 2023 - Mumbli partners with Sofar Sounds to host Audio Inclusive Acoustic Gigs
On World Hearing Day, Mumbli and Sofar Sounds present "Sofar Acoustic powered by Mumbli" across London. These curated gigs amplify music for the hearing-impaired, sound-sensitive, and all live music enthusiasts. Experience intimate sets, unexpected acts, and budding talent up-close.
“I cannot explain how much you miss live music, until you realise you can’t experience it anymore. We’re bringing back that joy to anyone who lost hope that they’d never be able to enjoy live music again.” Marion Marincat, founder of hearing wellness platform, Mumbli who experienced a hearing reduction aged 26 and now hears via a Cochlear implants.
Approx 12 million people in the UK are currently living with a hearing reduction and another 8 million with either tinnitus, misophonia, autism or ADHD - all sensitive to noise.3
On World Hearing Day (3rd March) a celebration of intimate live acoustic gigs will take place in an eclectic mix of venues across London, from a wildlife nature reserve to a Georgian townhouse to a sound design studio. Sofar Acoustic powered by Mumbli is a collaboration between Sofar Sounds - a global music community that connects artists and audiences through live music and hearing wellness brand, Mumbli, who make social spaces audio inclusive for all hearing preferences. The gigs have been curated to make live music audible for the hearing impaired, those with hearing devices and anyone with sensitivity to sound. But the gigs aren’t just for the hearing impaired, they will appeal to everyone and anyone who loves live music performed truly stripped back to allow guests to connect with the artist, as if they were performing just for them. Each live gig will feature three sets, performed by three surprise acts and an opportunity to discover some incredible up and coming talent.
Founder of Mumbli, Marion Marincat (38) lost most of his hearing ability aged 26 and now hears via a Smart hearing technology from Cochlear. The invisible disability made socialising in noisy bars and restaurants almost impossible, because social spaces aren’t designed for those who need to wear hearing devices or are just sensitive to noise. Eventually he stopped trying altogether. As a young man living in the heart of London, this had a major impact on his mental and overall wellbeing, however he turned the challenge to a positive and vowed to make a change and founded Mumbli and its mission to make restaurants, bars and social spaces audio inclusive for all hearing preferences.
Beyond socialising, one of Marion’s favourite things had always been going to live music gigs, which also became a distant memory. Amplification and speakers heavily distort sound when listened through hearing devices. So, in 2022, Mumbli ran a pilot festival with Sofar Sounds in Mumbli audio inclusive venues, and the gig was the first time Marion was able to hear and connect with live music in years.
2023 sees Mumbli officially collaborate with Sofar Sounds, to host a bigger celebration in more audio inclusive venues across London, in the hope to bring that same joy to others who may have given up on ever being able to enjoy live music again.
Sofar Sounds is a global music community that connects artists and audiences through live music. They deliver intimate concerts in unique spaces in 400 cities across the world. Brandon Myers, Regional Performance Co-ordinator at Sofar Sounds comments ‘this collaboration is taking Sofar back to its roots to offer an elevated music experience like no other. It’s a really special partnership because these gigs will enable every guest to connect to the artists through their music on another level. We’re delighted to be partnering with Mumbli to make live music a pleasure that everyone can enjoy.’
Marion Marincat, Founder of audio inclusive tech company, Mumbli comments: Music is powerful - it can spark emotions like nothing else - from sadness to euphoria. And when you’re in a room listening to live music with others, it has the power to spark connection and belonging. I cannot explain how much you miss live music, until you realise you can’t experience it anymore. Through this collaboration we want to bring that same joy to others who may have given up on ever being able to enjoy live music again, and hope to grow this collaboration past World Hearing Day to enable audio inclusive live music experiences, not just London but worldwide.”
To check out an audio inclusive live gig near you this World Hearing Day, check out the list of venues below and click the link to book. Use MUMBLI15 to get a 15% discount on your ticket.
SOFAR ACOUSTIC - POWERED BY MUMBLI : 3RD MARCH 2023
Kings Cross - Camley St Gardens
Broadway Market - Waking Dreams