Sit back, close your eyes and join us on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to explore the extraordinary potential of your own mind.

Dreamachine is an immersive experience like no other.

Curl up in a blanket, sit back and get lost in a moment that is just for you.

Dreamachine: Deep Listening will take you on a relaxing journey through light and sound. A curated lightscape will gently wash over you together with music by Jon Hopkins in 360-degree spatial audio, creating a deeply immersive sonic experience.

This unique experience is a chance to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with both yourself, and others.

Dreamachine has been created by a team of leading minds in architecture, technology, music, neuroscience, and philosophy, including Turner Prize-winning collective Assemble and Grammy-nominated composer Jon Hopkins.

It's inspired by an extraordinary 1959 invention by artist Brion Gysin, described as the first artwork to be experienced with your eyes closed. Now, over 60 years later, the 21st-century Dreamachine has been radically re-imagined into a multisensory seated experience.

Like a modern kind of campfire, youll share your Dreamachine journey with a group of up to 32 people at a time. After your experience, youll be invited to reflect on what you heard and how you felt, by yourself or with others.

Dreamachine is presented by Collective Act and UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK in partnership with Edinburgh Science as part of Edinburgh International Festival.

There are two versions of the Dreamachine experience:

Deep Listening

The Deep Listening experience is an immersive 360 degree spatial audio experience, with a gentle lightscape and has been designed to make the experience as accessible as possible.

High Sensory

There is also a High Sensory version of the Dreamachine experience, which uses fast flashing bright lights, known as strobe lighting, with 360-degree spatial audio to create a deeply immersive experience. For many people, the effects of the lights and the music will generate colourful patterns and visuals behind your closed eyes. You will need to complete a pre-booking form before booking the High Sensory experience.

Find out more about the High Sensory experience.

This immersive experience has been created by Collective Act, directed by Jennifer Crook, in a unique collaboration with Turner Prize-winning artists Assemble, Grammy nominated composer Jon Hopkins, leading neuroscientists Professor Anil Seth and Dr David Schwartzman (University of Sussex), philosopher Professor Fiona Macpherson (University of Glasgow), sound designer Christopher Shutt, and technologists Dev Joshi and Holition.

Commissioned as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, with support from Belfast City Council, EventScotland and Creative Wales.

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Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Show me the charities

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
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