Sonos to open Shoreditch gallery for gigs and to provide workspace for freelancers
Sonos, the home sound system whose fans include Prime Minister David Cameron, is opening a gallery and workspace in Shoreditch to host gigs and accommodate London’s army of freelance media types.
The US brand, which is stocked across the High Street, is opening its first physical premises in the capital on Saturday to show off its Wi-Fi surround sound speakers.
The sound system works via an app that allows users to listen to the same music in multiple rooms, and featured in Cameron’s kitchen during a pre-election interview.
Visitors to the venue — which features an art gallery, café and workshop area over two floors — will not be able to buy the products there but bosses say it will help lift awareness of Sonos.
The Redchurch Street studio, which will largely only be open during the day, will debut with a screening of a documentary on Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire and host a gig from singer-songwriter Imogen Heap, who is campaigning for musicians to be able to track how their music is listened to.
Sonos was founded in 2002 by four entrepreneurs, who still have a stake in the business along with a string of venture capital funds.
It opened a similar studio in Los Angeles in 2012, which has hosted artists including American singer, songwriter, producer and instrumentalist Beck and London indie pop band The XX.
Sonos regional director John Gahagan told the Evening Standard: “London is one of the most vibrant cities on earth and we want to tap into that.
“We’re opening in the tech and creative hub so we can build a relationship with artists and listeners.”
The firm is targeting sales of $1 billion (£644 million) in 2015 and embarked on a marketing drive earlier in the year.
