A new exhibit at the GRAMMY Museum is causing visitors to sing along and tap their toes. Sonic Playground is an innovative, interactive experience. It turns music-making into an exciting, hands-on journey by blending creativity, education, and advanced technology in one dynamic space.
The brand-new exhibit transforms the museum’s 3,000-square-foot second-floor gallery into an immersive hub. It features 17 unique interactive installations that inspire visitors to explore their musical creativity. From producing beats and mixing loops to performing on stage with professional instruments, visitors can step into roles such as singer, producer, or DJ, and immerse themselves in the thrill of music creation.
An Immersion of Light and Sound
At the core of Sonic Playground lies the Electric Forest, a captivating fusion of music, lights, and technology that represents the perfect blend of art and innovation. Visitors can interact with 16 immersive columns of light and sound. These columns respond to their movements, changing the sound and intensity. The experience features an original 19-minute composition by Shaun Chasin. This allows visitors to create their own unique musical symphonies through their actions.
Four Main Sections at Sonic Playground
-
Moodmakers
- Showcasing innovative installations such as the Electric Forest, this area also includes interactive booths that delve into music’s influence on film, TV, and gaming. Visitors can step into the role of music supervisors for movies, compose soundtracks for video games, and even record voice-overs for movie trailers
-
Songbuilders Hub
- A music production hub featuring GRAMMY®-winning virtual hosts such as H.E.R., Jimmy Jam, Prince Paul, and more, where visitors can learn the fundamentals of music production by creating beats, freestyling, mixing samples, and experimenting with instruments.
-
The Roland Stage
- A dynamic performance space featuring theatrical lighting and equipped with guitars, a Roland RD Stage keyboard, an AX-EDGE keytar, and V-Drums percussion, allowing visitors to step into the spotlight and showcase their talents.
-
SoundTrax Career Wall
- An interactive 50-foot wall highlighting 125 careers in the music industry across eight categories, designed to raise awareness of the diverse job opportunities available. Visitors can explore educational resources to help achieve their career aspirations and access exclusive filmed interviews with industry professionals, offering valuable insights into their roles and career journeys.
A Musical Legacy
Sonic Playground is dedicated to the legacy of Jim Long, whose name was “synonymous with brilliance, strategy, and creativity in marketing, music production, and music publishing for over six decades.” It is made possible by a gift from The Long Family Trust with additional support provided by Roland Corporation.
Sonic Playground
🗓️ Dates: Feb. 14, 2025 – ongoing
📍 Location: Downtown L.A. – GRAMMY Museum, 800 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
🎟️ Tickets: Sonic Playground is included with general admission tickets to the GRAMMY Museum. Plus, admission is now free for ages 17 and under.