London

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_WomaninAudience_square.jpeg" alt="Woman in audience with sleep mask on In The Dark" class="wp-image-8680" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_WomaninAudience_square.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_WomaninAudience_square-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_WomaninAudience_square-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_WomaninAudience_square-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_WomaninAudience_square-500x500.jpeg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Almost 20 years ago <a href="https://london.danslenoir.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dans Le Noir</a> restaurant introduced Londoners to a unique sensory experience: dining in the dark. More recently <a href="https://www.in-the-dark.com/ticket-info" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In The Dark</a> has created a sound experience based on the same principal &#8211; that our senses, such as taste and hearing, are heightened when we can&#8217;t see. 



In The Dark further adds to the mystery surrounding its blindfold concerts by keeping the programme and music genre a secret until the night and regularly switching venues, a move that&#8217;s led to a host of sell-out events, most recently at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/StBartsTheGreat_Farringdon.jpg" alt="St Bartholomew the great church interior In The Dark live" class="wp-image-8682" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/StBartsTheGreat_Farringdon.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/StBartsTheGreat_Farringdon-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/StBartsTheGreat_Farringdon-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/StBartsTheGreat_Farringdon-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/StBartsTheGreat_Farringdon-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">St Bartholomew the Great, Farringdon (via Instagram @inthedark_live)</figcaption></figure>



The concert I attended was held at St Bartholomew the Great Church, a spectacular space by day (you don&#8217;t get to be the fourth church in Four Weddings and a Funeral for nothing), but even more enchanting at night when illuminated dark pink.



I noticed a lot of couples and, post-gig, the band&#8217;s saxophone player revealed the concerts are popular for date nights (bringing a new meaning to the term &#8216;blind date&#8217; I guess) &#8211; one couple even told her wearing sleep masks made them feel especially connected to their partner, as if the band was playing to them alone. I was sitting next to a tipsy group of mates, however, so it&#8217;s not all romancing. And once the music starts, the vibe becomes very peaceful, mindful and reflective, regardless of whether you&#8217;re there solo, in a couple or with friends. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_audience-1024x683.jpg" alt="Audience in church colour" class="wp-image-8679" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_audience-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_audience-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_audience-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_audience.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-experience">THE EXPERIENCE</h2>



Once everyone was seated, I heard a low calming hum and sensed it was time to pipe down and strap in. In The Dark&#8217;s founder, Andrea, gave the briefest of briefings &#8211; sit still, don&#8217;t clap or take your sleep mask off. The lights dimmed yet further, we pulled down our sleep masks and the sound experience began.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Group-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Music group In The Dark sound experience" class="wp-image-8689" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Group-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Group-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Group-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Group-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



It&#8217;s hard to describe exactly what type of music it is; think soft and melodic at times, complex and imposing at others, interesting and emotive throughout. Initially written by founder Andrea Cockerton, it was shaped over the course of rehearsals by each and every one of the 28 musicians. Everyone’s input has been incorporated, and apparently it&#8217;s different every time.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Violin-1024x683.jpg" alt="Violin lying on its back In The Dark Sound Experience" class="wp-image-8673" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Violin-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Violin-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Violin-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Violin.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The musicians, as it turned out, were shoeless and wandering around between us, so it sort of felt like we were inside the band. It became clear that this feeling of being surrounded by sound is central to the experience. &#8220;It&#8217;s the closest we can get to being in the womb&#8221;, Andrea told me afterwards, and I gulped &#8211; quite pleased that that recreation stopped at the purely auditory. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Audience3-1024x683.jpg" alt="audience In The Dark sound experience" class="wp-image-8676" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Audience3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Audience3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Audience3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Audience3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



It took a few minutes to get used to the experience. A distant piano tinkled and just as I got comfy, an angelic voice started to sing &#8211; right next to me. Needless to say, I jumped out of my skin.



Unsurprisingly, there&#8217;s a vulnerability to sightlessness. As one of the musicians pointed out afterwards, how did we know they weren&#8217;t just going to steal all our stuff? (They didn&#8217;t.) But you do surrender yourself to the musicians in a sense, and that creates a very different vibe to any &#8216;normal&#8217; concert.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Experience-1024x683.jpg" alt="Interior of St Bartholomew the great church farringdon In The Dark sound experience" class="wp-image-8675" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Experience-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Experience-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Experience-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/InTheDark_Experience.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our view when they turned the lights back on at the end!</figcaption></figure>



Everyone will experience In The Dark differently, but whatever the sensation, it will be new. And at the very least, this is a deeply mindful experience &#8211; one hour, no distractions, an opportunity to simply think and feel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/SmithfieldMarket_credit-alvy.jpg" alt="Smithfield Market Farringdon" class="wp-image-8683" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/SmithfieldMarket_credit-alvy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/SmithfieldMarket_credit-alvy-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/SmithfieldMarket_credit-alvy-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/SmithfieldMarket_credit-alvy-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/SmithfieldMarket_credit-alvy-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Smithfield Market in the daytime (via Instagram @alvy)</figcaption></figure>



Farringdon is best known as a commuter hotspot and as the home of wonderful Smithfield Market, an 800-year-old meat market open between the hours of midnight and 7am.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Barbican_farringdon.jpg" alt="Barbican Centre" class="wp-image-8685" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Barbican_farringdon.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Barbican_farringdon-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Barbican_farringdon-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Barbican_farringdon-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Barbican_farringdon-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Barbican Centre (credit: Vova Stegantsov)</figcaption></figure>



But if you happen to be there at a regular hour and fancy a spot of culture, nip into the famous and controversially brutalist <a href="https://www.barbican.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barbican Centre</a>. With two theatres, a few cinemas, an exhibition space, library, bars and cafes, and over 1,500 species of plant in the conservatory, there should be enough there to scratch the itch. If you&#8217;re peckish, you&#8217;ll be hard-pushed to find a better Italian in London than Michelin-starred <a href="https://luca.restaurant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luca</a> &#8211; the bar express lunch is very reasonable for the quality, at £32 for two courses. When it comes to shopping, <a href="https://exmouth.london/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exmouth Market</a> is great for a wander and a browse, <a href="https://penniesvintage.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pennies Vintage</a> never disappoints on preloved fashion (<a href="https://www.antoniandalison.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antoni &amp; Alison</a> worth a look too) and <a href="https://www.ifounditinspace.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Space</a> is great for all things wellness.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Luca_Ravioli.jpg" alt="Pumpkin tortellini Luca Farringdon" class="wp-image-8687" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Luca_Ravioli.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Luca_Ravioli-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Luca_Ravioli-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Luca_Ravioli-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/02/Luca_Ravioli-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pumpkin tortellini at Luca (Instagram @luca.restaurant)</figcaption></figure>



But In The Dark is on the move and won&#8217;t be at St Bartholomew the Great again until 13 March. It&#8217;ll also play five dates at Trinity Buoy Wharf, Leamouth, 20-28 March. Andrea said this venue is starkly different (more of a warehouse vibe), so the performance will evolve yet again.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



Good for: Anyone with ears! The musicians were keen to tell us afterwards that this is a human experience, so whether you&#8217;re a music buff or couldn&#8217;t give a toss, all it takes is a pair of ears and a dash of curiosity.



Not for: The organisers have slapped an 8+ age restriction on the event, but even that might be a bit generous. Oh yeah, and maybe give it a wide berth if you&#8217;re scared of the dark.



The In The Dark Sound Experience is taking place at St. Bartholomew the Great on Thu 13 &amp; Sat 15 Mar, and at Trinity Riverside on five dates between 20-28 Mar. Tickets available <a href="https://www.in-the-dark.com/ticket-info" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

Review: In The Dark Sound Experience, Farringdon

You may also like