“In any other concerts, the audience doesn’t just see you; there’s the band, the video and many other things. Even the performer wouldn’t notice what exactly they are doing. In a pitch black environment, all you can see is your own voice,” says Ellen Joyce Loo of the duo at17, one of the performers in the upcoming Concert in the Dark.

Branded as the “first ever voice performance in complete darkness co-managed by visually impaired” and an “unprecedented, brand new eyesight revolution”, Concert in the Dark is jointly produced by the experiential exhibition Dialogue in the Dark (DiD), Social Ventures Hong Kong (SVHK) and music label People Mountain People Sea.

The pitch dark journey begins as soon as you enter the venue where visually impaired ushers lead the audience to their seats in an interactive environment with different themes.

As the stage management is handled by the visually impaired as well, they will also be leading the performers onto the stage. Loo believes that to be the more difficult part, as it is very much dependent on their mutual co-operation and trust with one another. But practicing for the concert hasn't been easy either. “I can only close my eyes. You can’t recreate a completely pitch black environment at home, which makes ArtisTree such a great venue.”

“In terms of music we immediately thought that there was a lot we could do. Without the costumes and backdrops, everything has to be conveyed through music,” says Loo. “I feel that there is a very direct impact for the performer in such an environment, as it forces you to be more focused about the sound you’re producing. In a way, this is going back to basics, using music to communicate with the audience, and hope that it isn’t because they see you in pretty costumes, or the aid of videos that they are able to get the message, but through the music.”

Bryan Wong from SVHK knows that the audience might initially be apprehensive, as fear is usually people’s first reaction. “It’s difficult now even to go star-gazing, because there is light everywhere. That’s why fear is such a typical reaction, because people aren’t in frequent contact with pure darkness.”

Loo and Wong both agree that people are very much influenced by first impressions, which is why Loo hopes that through songs that the audience will be familiar with, they will understand that “beyond experiencing the pitch dark environment, there is another level about trust and communication.” She explains, “This second level is about a more accepting society, accepting way of life. When you don’t know who the person is sitting next to you, you put down your guard.”

Phyllis Lui

Tickets: Available at all HMV outlets and DiD exhibition; www.dialogue-in-the-dark.hk