Janire Najera

CULTVR launches Wales’ first 360º d&b audiotechnik Soundscape system, expanding immersive performance possibilities

CULTVR, the UK’s leading venue for immersive arts and live music, has installed Wales’ first permanent d&b audiotechnik Soundscape system, introducing a new era of spatial audio and 360º experiential design to the region, thanks to support from Creative Wales.

Since opening in 2019 as the UK’s first immersive arts centre, CULTVR has positioned Cardiff as a key destination for XR and live performance. Independently founded and operated, the venue continues to pioneer technologies that redefine how audiences experience sound and visuals.

The d&b Soundscape system is celebrated internationally for revolutionising live audio, embraced by legendary innovators such as Kraftwerk, Björk, and Nitin Sawhney. Recognised by award-winning theatre sound designers and composers worldwide, Soundscape enables creators to design sound experiences with unprecedented precision and creative freedom, placing every sound object in three-dimensional space for an enveloping, transformative experience.

“At CULTVR, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what the venue of the future can be like,” said Matt Wright, Artistic Director of CULTVR. “With the d&b Soundscape system, visitors can step inside the sound itself, experiencing music not just as something they hear, but something they feel and inhabit. It’s a game-changer for live performance and immersive sonic experiences here in Wales.”

Installed by d&b Soundscape specialists Southby Productions, the d&b Soundscape system combines advanced object-based mixing with sophisticated acoustic processing. At its core sits the DS100 Signal Engine, enabling precise positioning and movement of sound objects and the ability to create or manipulate the acoustic environment. The result is a fully enveloping, cinematic sound experience that transforms music into an immersive journey.

This installation marks a major milestone in CULTVR’s ongoing mission to fuse cutting-edge technology with immersive arts. The Soundscape system debuted in October with a series of live performances featuring Ishmael Ensemble, Monocolor, and Beardyman, each pushing the boundaries of music, art and technology. The system will continue to play a central role in upcoming concerts, installations, and experimental showcases, including Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon immersive experience, offering Welsh audiences an unprecedented level of sonic immersion.

CULTVR now joins a global network of venues pioneering this advanced audio technology. This international community includes some of the world’s most forward-thinking performance spaces, where artists, engineers and audiences come together to explore new dimensions of sound and storytelling. By becoming part of the d&b Soundscape network, CULTVR strengthens its position at the forefront of immersive media innovation in the UK and beyond, connecting local talent to a worldwide ecosystem of creative experimentation and technical excellence.

4Pi Productions is offering two paid placements to work as Production Assistants at CULTVR Lab. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands on experience in live event production, immersive media and audience engagement.

This placement is ideal for those looking to explore careers within the creative and digital industries, particularly in event production and immersive media. Participants will be supported by 4Pi Productions’ experienced team and gain exposure to a wide range of artistic and technical processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Event preparation & setup
  Assist with setting up and breaking down event spaces, including lighting, sound, seating, signage and accessibility features. Ensure the venue is clean and ready for audiences.
• Audience support & Front of House duties
  Welcome guests, provide information about the venue and events, and support audience flow and comfort throughout the experience.
• Technical & Production assistance
  Work closely with CULTVR’s technical team to assist with lighting, sound, projection, and immersive media installations. Support rehearsals, technical checks, and help troubleshoot minor issues during events.
• Creative Documentation & Social Media support
  Assist in capturing photo and video content for promotional and archival purposes. Help with real-time social media updates and behind the scenes content under brand guidance.

Required Skills & Experience

• Interest in or basic understanding of event production, technical support, immersive media, or audience engagement.
• Previous experience (paid or voluntary) in events, production, technical roles, or other relevant and transferable skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• A proactive attitude, willingness to learn, and ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Working Days & Hours

This is a part-time opportunity comprising 16-25 hours per week over a period of 10 weeks. Flexible, including weekends and bank holidays.
National Minimum Wage (NMW), paid monthly on a pro rata basis.

You will need to have availability on the 5th, 6th and 12th July and 2nd and 3rd August from 10am to 5pm to participate in audiovisual training sessions.

Start Date

Week commencing 30th June 2025, with a possible earlier or later start subject to scheduling.

How to Apply

Please fill this Google Form outlining why you are interested in the role, your availability and your experience and skills against the criteria above.

https://forms.gle/agFeK93BvpeWFvCr8

Applications can be submitted in either English or Welsh.

For individuals who are D/deaf, hearing impaired, disabled, neurodivergent or visually impaired, further support and adjustments are available. Please get in touch if you have any special requirements.

Deadline for Applications: 

Tuesday 10th of June 2025 / 17:30

Interviews: Week commencing 16th of June 2025 – Zoom

CULTVR Lab announces the return of Catalyst 360º, the first ever programme of XR residencies delivered here in Wales. Since opening its doors in 2019, CULTVR Lab has played a key role in supporting local and international immersive and digital artists to create and present new artworks. Building on this legacy, the 2025 edition of Catalyst 360º promises to be its most ambitious yet. Following an open call that received over 300 applications from artists, collectives and organisations worldwide, Catalyst 360º will feature 3 immersive residencies, 6 live XR showcases and a 0 barrier of engagement strand.

Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, the 2025 season marks a new chapter for Catalyst 360º, continuing to champion immersive storytelling and technological innovation by offering residencies that support the research, development and presentation of innovative projects within CULTVR’s immersive facilities. These residencies will provide both local, national and international artists with the space and resources required to push boundaries in immersive art forms.

In addition to the residencies, six Wales-based artists and organisations have been selected to showcase original XR works in the dome. These live XR presentations will bring cutting-edge projects to the public, encouraging creative dialogue between artists and audiences.

Rooted in Grangetown, CULTVR Lab is committed to making immersive art accessible for all. The 2025 Catalyst 360º programme will offer hands-on workshops, artist talks, open rehearsals, and guided tours. A free Open Day is scheduled for the 26th of July 2025, offering the public across our diverse communities a chance to explore and experience the immersive arts, whilst also having the opportunity to meet the creative teams behind the projects.

“The global response to our open call was overwhelming,” said Matt Wright, Artistic Director of CULTVR Lab. “It’s clear there’s an increasing demand for immersive projects, and we’re proud to provide a platform that not only supports artistic innovation but also ensures that local communities are central to the experience.”

The selected projects for the 2025 Catalyst 360º season include:

• 23rd May: Kitsch & Sync Collective takes over the Lab with an immersive comedy cabaret featuring walkabout characters, pop-up performances, and participatory games.
• 21st June: MWSOG Collective celebrates the summer solstice with a journey through Welsh land, language, and lore, blending live music, poetry, and 360° visuals to evoke hiraeth.
• 12th July: Tomos Williams performs Cwmwl Tystion / Witness, blending jazz, Welsh folk, and live visuals to explore Welsh history, identity, and resistance.
• 26th July: Mark Eaglen showcases Quantum Foam; an audio-visual work driven by audience interaction. Grounded in research across quantum theory, the work explores the spaces in between; ideas of cause and effect across shifting states of scale and time
• 1st August: Jack Philp’s We Live in an Old Chaos of the Sun. This collaboration between Jack Philp Dance and Uncharted Limbo Collective blends choreography with immersive, realtime digital technology in 360º. In this experience the human body becomes the catalyst for an evolving and responsive digital ecosystem.
• 8th August: Alma Digital introduces us to Neurocosm, an immersive AV experience using data represented in real-time with A.I and generative art exploring the phases of mindfulness meditation.
• 15th August: Movement 81 presents an audiovisual experience by Jason&Becky, exploring the science and ethics of emerging technology powered by a custom-built quantum-inspired instrument.
• 29th August: Gwen Sion performs Atlantis 2050, a multidisciplinary project transforming environmental data into haunting music and immersive visuals, highlighting the impact of rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
• 19th September: Immersive-me presents Delta, a live experiment in which neural activity shapes the environment in real time. The brain becomes both conductor and canvas.

For more information on the upcoming Catalyst 360º season and ticketing information, please visit https://www.cultvr.cymru/.

A celebration of fulldome cinema

CULTVR is proud to host the prestigious Best of Earth Fulldome Awards, a bi-annual event that brings together the finest works from the world’s most esteemed fulldome film festivals. This global celebration of innovation and excellence in fulldome filmmaking showcases the artistry and technological advancements that define this immersive medium.

The Best of Earth Fulldome Awards represents a unique collaboration among the industry’s most respected festivals, including FullDome Festival (Jena, Germany), Dome Fest West (Los Angeles, USA), Fulldome UK Festival (UK), Dome Under Festival (Melbourne, Australia), SAT Fest (Montréal, Canada), and Fulldome Festival Brno (Brno, Czechia).

“The Best of Earth Awards represents an unprecedented unity in the fulldome community,” says Ryan Moore, Executive Director of Dome Fest West. “By bringing together the world’s leading fulldome festivals, we’re not just showcasing films – we’re creating a global platform that elevates the entire medium and celebrates the innovative storytellers who are pushing its boundaries.”

Previously hosted at the Stiftung Planetarium Berlin in 2023 and 2021, the 2025 ceremony will take place at CULTVR on the 25th of March at 8pm. The event will also be live streamed in partnership with all the international fulldome festivals.

In advance of the award ceremony, audiences can experience a selection of nominated fulldome films in four exclusive immersive screenings at CULTVR. This is a unique opportunity to witness some of the best fulldome films produced in the last two years. These sessions offer a rare opportunity to experience fulldome films that are typically not available to watch in the UK. Audiences will explore the uncharted expanses of earth and space and innovative artistic works, all within an immersive cinematic format.

CULTVR is the only venue in the world presenting these special screenings ahead of the Best of Earth Awards Ceremony. This ceremony marks a significant milestone for the immersive cinema industry and will bring together filmmakers, industry professionals and immersive media enthusiasts to celebrate the achievements in fulldome storytelling.

Event Details:

• Where: CULTVR Lab
• When: 25th March 2025
• Time: 8pm
• Admission: Free – More information HERE
• Screening of Nominated Films: 15th and 22nd of March 2025. More information HERE

“What we’re witnessing at events like the Best of Earth Awards is just the beginning,” notes Moore. “Fulldome cinema is evolving rapidly, combining cutting-edge technology with masterful storytelling. The works being honored here aren’t just films – they’re glimpses into the future of immersive entertainment, and they’re setting new standards for what’s possible in this medium.”

Beyond the screenings and awards, CULTVR is dedicated to fostering conversations about the future of immersive media. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow enthusiasts, gain insights into the latest trends in fulldome cinema and explore the possibilities of this ever-evolving medium.

For media inquiries, please contact:
info@cultvrlab.com

Bridging academia and industry to develop tomorrow’s leaders in XR and shared cultural immersion

Cardiff, Wales / 28th of November, 2024. – 4Pi Productions, an award-winning creative studio at the forefront of immersive technology and digital storytelling, is excited to announce the launch of Unlocking XR, a pioneering educational initiative that unites Cardiff’s three major universities, the largest college in Wales and a national charitable organisation. This unique partnership aims to introduce participants to the creative potential of XR (extended reality) and shared cultural immersion. Designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, Unlocking XR offers a comprehensive programme of workshops, masterclasses, mentoring, shadowing opportunities and internships, all aimed at advancing participants’ understanding of immersive technologies and shared reality experiences.

Supported by Creative Wales through the Creative Skills Fund, Unlocking XR will be delivered from CULTVR Lab, a pioneer in immersive arts and education. With a five years track record delivering impactful educational and cultural XR programmes, CULTVR Lab provides an ideal environment for all the participants to engage directly with advanced immersive technology and gain practical skills in this rapidly growing field with applications across various sectors. For the next 10 months, 4Pi Productions is collaborating with leading educational institutions, including the University of South Wales (USW), Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff and Vale College and the Prince’s Trust. Through these partnerships, the programme aims to empower cross-disciplinary creators, equipping them with essential skills to explore and apply XR technology across entertainment, live events, music, animation, film, VFX, and virtual production.

Jack Sargeant, Minister for Creative, said:
“Unlocking XR is an innovative initiative that will equip Wales’ students with the tools, connections and expertise needed to thrive in the ever-expanding extended reality industry. It’s inspiring to see how our Creative Skills Fund will support so many young people into the world of XR, offering vital resources and links to a possible future career. Pob lwc i bawb!”

Unlocking XR stands out for its adaptability, offering a range of formats, durations and delivery methods to create an inclusive learning environment accessible to students across MA, BA, BTEC, vocational training and beyond. By building confidence and literacy in immersive technologies, the programme contributes to the democratisation of digital tools and learning, enabling participants from all backgrounds to gain critical skills for XR innovation.

“Unlocking XR provides an incredible opportunity to introduce students to alternative approaches to filmmaking, where they can explore the rapidly developing field of XR, and consider the technical and creative prospects of future screen arts. Students have enthusiastically engaged with masterclasses that have pushed them into new territories of creative practice whilst benefiting from this unique immersive facilities in Cardiff”. Joe Sudlow, Course Leader BA (Hons) Film.

In addition to its educational initiatives, Unlocking XR includes four paid work placements at CULTVR Lab, Europe’s first immersive arts venue equipped with state of the art XR technology specialised in live performance and fulldome cinema. For three months, selected participants will engage in immersive event production, experimenting with cutting-edge hardware and software.

“We’re thrilled to launch Unlocking XR and offer a pathway into immersive technology and XR for aspiring creatives. By working closely with universities and colleges and the Prince’s Trust, we’re not only addressing skills gaps but also providing tangible career development opportunities for students across Wales”, said Matt Wright, Director of 4Pi Productions. “We’re committed to fostering a skilled workforce ready to lead in this exciting, dynamic field.”

With a ten year legacy in producing interactive installations and immersive experiences, 4Pi Productions is uniquely positioned to mentor the next generation of talent. Through Unlocking XR, participants will gain exposure to leading XR technologies, acquiring creative, technical and production skills that will serve them in diverse career paths across immersive driven sectors.

For more information about Unlocking XR or to get involved, please contact:
Email: hello@4piproductions.com

CARDIFF, [23.09.24] – The pioneering XR arts centre, CULTVR Lab is excited to announce its continued partnership with Fulldome UK, the UK’s longest-running immersive arts festival. Together, they are proud to bring FDUK 2024 back to Cardiff this October, building on last year’s successful debut in Wales. This year’s festival is set to be an extraordinary celebration of innovative immersive experiences and state of the art frameless media.

FDUK 2024 will take place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th of October, showcasing a wide array of work from leading fulldome artists and producers from across the world. The festival offers a unique opportunity for attendees to explore the full spectrum of fulldome creativity, learn from international experts, and connect with fellow creatives in the immersive arts community. The program includes speaker panels, industry workshops, exclusive screenings of FDUK 2024’s shortlisted films, live performances, and much more.

“For over a decade, FDUK has championed artists, creative professionals, and researchers working in immersive dome environments. We are excited to return to Wales and continue fostering connections within the UK and international communities that are shaping the future of this rapidly evolving field.” Phil Meyer of Fulldome UK.

The 2024 Official Selection features 36 immersive films produced in 14 countries, reflecting the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse voices and perspectives. This year, the festival will also present live performances by UK artists Bertie Sampson, Beardyman and Welsh based musician Teddy Hunter. FDUK 2024 will feature presentations by multimedia artists Aude Guivarch and Marie Leblanc Flanagan supported via the Wales-Quebec partnership between CULTVR and Society for Arts & Technology, Montreal.

The festival’s curated events are designed to attract a broad audience, including international delegates, artists, filmmakers, musicians, producers, and tech innovators, creating a dynamic and inclusive environment for all involved.

“Hosting the FDUK festival is a dream come true for us at CULTVR Lab. Since our first experience at FDUK in 2011, we have been dedicated to producing fulldome films and XR live performances that resonate worldwide. Now, with our own arts centre, we aim to make these emerging digital platforms more accessible to everyone and inspire fellow creatives, just as we were inspired over a decade ago.” Janire Najera – CULTVR Lab

On Friday 11th of October the festival will host a special showcase organised in collaboration with Town Square and Media Cymru. This event will highlight groundbreaking projects and innovations from Welsh companies, providing a platform for local and regional talent to present their work to an international audience.

The festival is organised by producing studios GaiaNova (London), 4Pi Productions (Cardiff) and United VJs (Brazil) with support from NSC Creative (Leicester), I-Dat and Real Ideas (Plymouth). It is also a founding partner of The Best of Earth Awards, a coalition of some of the most prestigious and respected fulldome film festivals from around the world, including FullDome Festival in Jena, (Germany), Dome Fest West in Los Angeles, (USA), Dome Under Festival in Melbourne, (Australia), SAT Fest in Montréal, (Canada), and Brno Fulldome Festival (Czech Republic)

Minister for the Creative industries, Jack Sargeant, said: “It’s always exciting to see groundbreaking work like that of CULTVR Lab and FDUK continuing in Wales, providing a fantastic platform for artists, creatives and researchers via immersive technology. The programme looks fantastic, and I’d encourage anyone with an interest to come and experience this unique event, explore new ways of enjoying immersive media and be inspired to join this growing sector.”

FDUK 2024 has received funding and support from Welsh Government via Creative Wales.

For more information, visit www.fulldome.org.uk

This month, Society for Arts & Technology in Montreal (Canada) is presenting the live immersive performance Arka Kinari: Artivism at Sea, brought to life by multimedia studio 4Pi Productions in collaboration with international artists and climate activists, Filastine & Nova.

Originally developed and premiered at CULTVR Lab in Cardiff with support from the British Council, this production combines 360º video, music and storytelling to share the voyage of the floating cultural platform Arka Kinari, utilising music to sound the alarm for climate change and cinematic visuals to imagine life after the carbon economy.

‘Subversive, immersive and partially submerged’, Arka Kinari is a 70-ton sailing ship propelled by the wind and powered by the sun. The vessel is home to a gallery of activists, creators and artists sailing across the world to share a collective message and purpose in sounding the eco alarm for the environment.

‘A fulldome experience is one of the few ways to express the bulk of the ship and the vastness of the sea. I’d hope that people walk away from this thinking about what they might do, how they might leverage their unique knowledge, skills and contacts to change the course of the future’. – Grey Filastine.

Wales based immersive arts studio 4Pi Productions joined Filastine and Nova on the ship as it travelled from Bali to Jakarta to document their journey and capture immersive content for both this live immersive performance and a standalone feature documentary fulldome film. The immersive live piece has been presented in Cardiff and Plymouth and received an honourable mention at the Best of Earth Awards 2023.

‘We utilise immersive media to create work that inspires positive change. This live performance will be able to reach new audiences and transport them within this story fostering climate resilience through artistic expression’. – Matt Wright, Director 4Pi Productions.

Arka Kinari: Artivism at Sea is a co-production with CULTVR Lab supported by the British Council and Wales Arts International. This presentation launches a new programme between SAT Montreal and CULTVR Lab exploring immersive arts and sustainability as part of the Wales-Quebec projects supported by the Welsh Government and the Government of Québec.

Arka Kinari: Artivism at Sea
Society for Arts & Technology, Montreal CA
30th April to 4th May 2024 / 8.30pm

Directed by: Janire Najera & Matt Wright
Storytellers and Musicians: Filastine & Nova
Production and Visuals by: 4Pi Productions
Audience Rating: All ages. / Immersive Live Performance: 60 minutes

Info: https://sat.qc.ca/en/events/arka-kinari-artivism-at-sea/

Das Koolies, returned to their rave roots last year with their expansive debut album DK.01 taking an extended road trip through the former Super Furry Animals’ techno, pop, krautrock and psych influences before hitting the road for real on a sold out UK tour.

Now, Huw Bunford, Cian Ciarán, Daf Ieuan and Guto Pryce are back in Cardiff for a unique live performance, in collaboration with immersive studio 4Pi Productions and Dah Dit Dit, the creative minds behind their groundbreaking music videos.

Supported by Welsh Government, Cardiff Council and Cardiff Music Board, the Soundspace Session on Friday 22^nd March will see the bands’ sonic adventures and poignant beats bound songwriting enhanced by immersive visuals, under the dome at experimental digital arts centre, CULTVR.

Das Koolies:

“Home sweet home, yet unfamiliar territory to all of us, as we turn the Das Koolies’ sounds into something altogether otherworldly at only our second Cardiff live outing. Our album, DK.01, recorded in the secrecy of our HQ in Cardiff Bay, is made of our shared imaginations and experiences but, beyond our own imaginations lie possibilities unexplored. Something unexpected. For perhaps one night only, DK.01 becomes an immersive experience at CULTVR and together we’ll find out what that world looks, sounds and feels like.”

Matt Wright, Artistic Director of 4Pi Productions:

“Over the past decade, 4Pi has been at the forefront of innovation in immersive creativity and live performance. Through this live XR experience, we aspire to offer audiences a deeper insight into the band’s artistic vision.”

Limited tickets available here

Doors open at 7pm.
8.00 – 9.00pm Das Koolies (DJ Set)
9.00 – 10.00pm Das Koolies (Live Set)

MINAS: WAITING ROOM @CULTVR

Fresh off the back of a triumphant UK tour and Sŵn Festival closing set, and a Welsh Music Prize nomination for his debut solo album, All My Love Has Failed Me, Cardiff-based artist Minas presents Waiting Room – a narrative-led event featuring live music, 360-degree visuals and live performance.

The two-night Soundspace Sessions event at groundbreaking digital arts centre CULTVR is supported by Welsh Government, Cardiff Council and Cardiff Music Board and forms part of Cardiff Council’s Music Strategy.

Act One, on November 17^th 2023, will feature live music from Tamarebi, Lily Webbe, Freddy Forbidden, Foxxglove, Half Happy as well as Minas himself.

Act Two, on the following night (November 18^th) will see Grove, Shlug, Minas, Sorry Stacy, Razkid, Mogan, and Spit Hood perform, as well as a DJ set from Gemiiniize.

Speaking about the event, James Minas, said: “I’m so gassed about this event, it’s a chance to do something on a different scale to anything I’ve done before. “I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s going to be kind of intense. “The creatives I’ve been working with to put this all together have been immense, so talented and together I think we’ve created something that takes what we do live to a whole new level.”

Friday 17^th November:
Doors open: 6.30pm
Starts: 7pm
ACT 1 – Tamaraebi / Lily Webbe / Freddy Forbidden / Foxxglove / Half Happy / Minas
Finish time: 11pm

Saturday 18^th November:
Doors open: 5pm
Starts: 5.30pm
ACT 2 – Grove / SHLUG / Minas / Sorry Stacy / Razkid / MOGAN / Spit Hood / Gemiiniize (DJ) Finish time: 12am

Tickets: One day ticket is £10 and both days together £15
Concessions: £5 per day.

Concession tickets are offered to full-time students, visitors with disabilities, over 65+, and individuals receiving universal credits.

Buy tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/cultvrlab