In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats is an interactive VR experience happening as part of Belfast XR Festival.
The immersive VR adventure, created by Darren Emerson, takes you into the Acid House movement, and the creation of UK rave culture telling a multicultural story of collaboration and unity that celebrates music, friendship, and the joy of youth.
The experience concerns “tracking down and arriving at an all-night illegal warehouse party at the height of the rave scene in Coventry in 1989.”
Viewers are taken on a multi-sensory joyride into the past, bringing to life the stories of the promoters, police officers, pirate radio stations, and secret warehouse rave-goers, whose rivalries and relationships drove a revolution in music and society. The film features euphoric rave anthems such as Chime by Orbital and Energy Flash by Joey Beltram.
‘Beats uses Virtual Reality (VR) technology to fully immerse audiences in a one-hour multi-sensory interactive experience.
Coventry’s promoters Amnesia House were involved, and there VR experience is augmented by a dedicated display containing archive, flyers, posters, photography, and objects exploring the local rave scene connected to the venue’s city.
The creative team behind ‘Beats spent time making the experience fully accessible to wheelchair users with a seated version and d/Deaf audiences with subtitles, Haptics (vibration), Access Packs, VR Explainer and scene descriptions and Touch Tour.
In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats takes place at Carlisle Memorial Church, in Belfast from 24th February to 26th March. Tickets from £25 plus fees.
“We were there. We were there. Back in 1989. It’s so emotional. An experience that is second to none.”
Jeff Parris, aka Man Parris (Acid House legend)
“I am absolutely thrilled that In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats will have its Irish premiere at the Belfast XR Festival in the beautiful setting of Carlisle Memorial Church. When we decided to tour this VR experience around the UK, coming to Belfast felt like a MUST. What other city could connect to the unifying nature of dance music culture more than Belfast? Because take away the technology of VR and this is what Beats is really all about; it’s about DIY culture, bourgeoning friendships, and disparate communities coming together to connect and dance till dawn. I see Acid House as a vital moment of revolution at the end of a fractious decade; a non-violent protest in the face of the things that would seek to separate us. A quiet revolution, apart from the thumping bass. There is a reason that Belfast is the UNESCO City of Music, and that is because of its rich and varied expressions in music culture: one of which being its vital, and dynamic role in shaping the underground electronic dance music scene. I hope audiences come to experience In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats and experience a work that celebrates freedom, adventure, and a sense of community. A piece of work that was made with an open heart for all people to enjoy.”
Director Darren Emerson, East City Films said:
‘Beats was produced with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, and Coventry City of Culture Trust. Following its world premiere and sell-out run as part of the 2022 Coventry UK City of Culture, ‘Beats travelled on the international festival circuit and was seen by audiences across the globe at festivals such as BFI London Film Festival, South by Southwest Festival, Austin; Melbourne International Film Festival; IDFA Amsterdam and Geneva International Film Festival.
