Header: Apple
London’s riverside architecture has gained an ambitious new performance space inside Battersea Power Station. Apple has opened Apple Music Hall, a 600-capacity venue built to host bespoke live events while operating as a full-scale digital production facility. The space allows artists to play intimate gigs and leave with multitrack Spatial Audio recordings, broadcast-ready mixes and multi-camera video footage, all created on-site.
“Apple’s deep love for music dates all the way back to the very beginning, from the launch of the iPod to the long-running iTunes Music Festival to the debut of Apple Music. Today, with the opening of Apple Music Hall, we are once again taking an unprecedented step further in our commitment to artists and fans by supporting live music in ways only Apple can do.”
Oliver Schusser, Vice President of Apple Music and International Content
Inspired by industrial history
Situated inside the landmark along the River Thames, the interior design draws direct inspiration from Battersea Power Station itself. The space incorporates heritage brickwork, fluted arches and bronze balconies styled after historic oriel windows. A giant glass wall connects the venue visually to the surrounding building, offering panoramic views of the concourse and the river outside.
In the foyer, visitors move past large glass windows and staircases into comfortable seating areas. The wider facility includes lounge spaces and greenroom vanity areas, alongside hallways adorned with poster photography of musicians.
Reconfigurable staging
The physical layout aims to close the gap between intimacy and high production value. Every seat feels close to the performer, yet the infrastructure supports what an artist needs for an arena tour. A 38-foot-wide main stage forms the focal point and can be reconfigured for traditional front-facing sets or sets played in the round.
A 48-speaker spatial sound system is positioned all around the audience. When an artist performs in spatial sound, this custom setup enables fans to hear the set in an immersive sound environment.
Broadcast infrastructure and on-site studios
Behind the stage, the venue operates as a full production facility. Two dedicated recording and mix studios built to professional standards allow performance tracks to be captured as multitrack recordings and mixed in Spatial Audio, either live or after the event.
The venue is hardwired for 16 or more cameras feeding a purpose-built broadcast control room. This setup supports iPhone video capture running alongside traditional broadcast cameras, allowing shows to be livestreamed to global audiences.
“At Apple Music, we care deeply about music, the artists who make it, and their life stories. We’re always looking for new opportunities to connect the artists and the fans because we are fans. What better way to celebrate this relationship than a new music venue where we get to experience amazing music in an amazing space and share it with the world. Great music and memories will be made at Apple Music Hall.”
Zane Lowe, Apple Music’s global creative director
Alongside the hall, Apple has built brand-new studios inside Battersea for its London-based radio hosts. These radio suites give hosts a dedicated space to broadcast live shows, conduct interviews and air surprise performances 24/7 to listeners worldwide.
