The Vinyl Factory: Reverb
Where: ACMI, Fed Square, Melbourne
When: Opens 22 May 2026 and runs until 31 August
Tickets: Presale for Reverb opens Feb 17. Sign up to RISING for instant access. General on sale begins 16 March
RISING 2026
Tickets: Head here
View this post on Instagram
The exhibition features works from some of the 21st century’s most innovative and influential artists, including celebrated Canadian media artist Stan Douglas, British-Nigerian filmmaker Jenn Nkiru, American fashion visionary Virgil Abloh, and German electronic innovator Carsten Nicolai, among others. Their pieces will combine to chart the history and impact of vinyl, music subcultures, and the transformative power of sound.
RISING Artistic Director and CEO, Hannah Fox, reflects on the exhibition’s significance: “Reverb captures the force of music as a cultural engine — how it shapes movements, identity, and lasting communities. Our partnership with ACMI for this exhibition extends RISING’s mission of creating new, meaningful encounters between artists and audiences, transcending the boundaries of traditional performance.”
ACMI Director & CEO, Seb Chan, echoes this sentiment, adding that Reverb celebrates the often undervalued role of music in the moving image. “For many young people, music shapes identity. This exhibition invites audiences to experience vinyl in new ways, uncovering unexpected transformations and connecting with the cultural movements that defined generations.”
A journey through time and sound, The Vinyl Factory: Reverb delves deep into diverse music scenes, from the birth of techno and house to contemporary digital art. Highlights include a physical reconstruction of Columbia’s iconic 30th Street Studio — birthplace of timeless albums like Some Kind of Blue and Lady in Satin — alongside vibrant representations of Kingston’s dancehall culture and the late-’80s ‘Second Summer of Love’. The exhibition promises to trace how music reverberates through culture, leaving an indelible mark on both artistic and social landscapes.
Visitors to ACMI will have the chance to explore large-scale moving image works, immersive sound installations, and vinyl-driven experiences, with interactive elements such as remixable vinyl loops using Technics turntables and a fantastical rap battle journey spanning from Cairo to London. One of the exhibition’s defining features is The Listening Room, an acoustically optimised space dedicated to deep listening. This sanctuary will offer rare after-hours sessions curated by Triple R’s Yasmine Sharaf, offering an exclusive opportunity to experience performances from RISING artists in an intimate setting.
Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks, commended the collaboration, stating, “The Victorian Government is proud to support ACMI and RISING in bringing this extraordinary exhibition to Melbourne. Reverb celebrates Melbourne’s love for music, offering a new way for locals and visitors alike to engage with our vibrant cultural scene.”
The Vinyl Factory: Reverb, a major milestone in the intersection of music, sound, and visual art, is set to make waves across Melbourne. With over 50,000 visitors having already experienced the exhibition in London, the Australian season promises to be just as unforgettable. This project is supported by Major Technology Partner Panasonic, Official Hotel Partner Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, and Supporting Partner Pitt & Giblin, with funding from the Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO), delivered via Music Victoria.
The Vinyl Factory: Reverb is co-presented by ACMI and RISING. With a global pedigree, the exhibition promises to further cement Melbourne’s status as a cultural capital for music lovers, offering a sensory journey through the past, present, and future of sound.
RISING returns to Melbourne from 27 May to 8 June 2026. Find out more programming information here
