FAQ
Why don't I just listen in the dark at home?
Because unless you're very lucky, we're guessing you don't own a massive sound system with dedicated subwoofers and a room with acoustic treatment. And if you do, we imagine your neighbours probably don't like you much.
Why ever go to the cinema if you can just watch the film to watch at home? We think of our events as the same analogy as going to watch a 4K restoration of a classic at the cinema. Seeing something on the big screen is just like hearing something on the big system. Why go to a pub if you can drink at home? Besides, how often do you really put aside the time to just listen without any distractions? Can you achieve that at home?
There's something incredibly special about feeling the bass moving through your body, hearing the sound fill the space around you, and experiencing your favourite music in comfort, silently sharing the experience alongside other people. The combination of volume, the physicality of the low end and the darkness brings about a sort of meditative state.
And as for our exclusive pre-release premieres, they offer something you can't hear at home yet.
Are your events really held in complete darkness?
We've allowed ourselves a tiny bit of poetic license. We turn out all the house lights at our events to get the room as dark as possible, but fire safety regulations mean we have to keep fire exit lights on. So, at most of our events, you'll also receive a Pitchblack Playback eye mask in case you want to completely immerse yourself.
What happens at your events?
You grab a drink if you want one (although a few of our venues do not have bars), take your seat, kick back and relax. Before we start, we ask everyone to turn their phones to silent, to keep their phones in their pockets at all times, and to refrain from talking, whispering or singing.
We turn the lights out, play the album loud, in full, in the dark. And that's it. Food is available at some of our venues before and after the playback.
How do you play your music?
We play 16-bit or 24-bit uncompressed files. We NEVER play compressed lossy formats or streams (basically, we play the highest definition files we can find which give the most detailed and full sound). We use 24-bit files wherever possible at the highest available sample rate.
Aside from events where the album is available in a Dolby Atmos or 5.1 version (which we advertise as such), we 'upmix' stereo files to surround sound to make full use of the venue's sound system and to create an immersive sound field. We love the effect that this creates as it means the music is coming from all around you rather than just from the front. It's a different way to listen to music.
I can't come any more! Can I resell my ticket or give it to someone else?
Tickets purchased through our website Shopify system are only refundable withing a 24-hour grace period by emailing your refund request to info@pitchblackplayback.com. If you bought your ticket through one of our partner venues' box offices / ticket systems, you need to contact them to enquire about their refund policy.
In either scenario, you can give your ticket to someone else - just send them the confirmation email.
Where is my ticket / I can't find my order confirmation email?
We don't issue physical or digital tickets for purchases through our website Shopify system. If you bought a 'ticket', your name will be on our guestlist on the night.
If you bought your ticket through our website's Shopify system and didn't get an order confirmation email, first check all of your email address inboxes (you may have used a Autofilled a different email and not realised), and if you can't find it and want confirmation of you order, please email us at info@pitchblackplayback.com and we'll look up your order for you.
If you bought it through one of our venue partners' box offices / websites, please contact them direct as we do not hold their ticket information.
What time does the event start?
Please refer to your ticket, order confirmation or our event page and make sure you arrive by the stated time as you will not be allowed to enter once the session has started under any circumstance due to health & safety restrictions. You are not entitled to a refund if you arrive late for any reason.
If you bought your ticket through our Shopify system, the session time will be shown somewhere in your order confirmation (look carefully, we promise it's there!)
Anything else I should know before coming?
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Our events take place in an enclosed space and in the dark. Hence, your attendance at our events carry with it risks that we cannot entirely eliminate. These include the risk of personal injury.
RULES
You must act responsibly and sensibly at all times.
You must not participate if you are under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs.
You must follow any safety warnings or instructions displayed or given to you by a member of staff.
In the absence of any negligence or other breach of duty by us, participation in our events is entirely at your risk.