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Turn It Up: The power of music

This exhibition closed on 1 September 2024. You can still explore our Turn It Up blogs and our official World Smile Day and Road Trip playlists!

Why does music have such a hold over us? What is it about music that drives us to create, perform, feel, connect with others? After a hugely popular run at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, Turn It Up: The power of music enjoyed an extended run at the Science Museum.

In this fun, family-friendly experience, visitors got a chance to hear, interact with, and even make their own music! They explored the science and secrets around the impact music has on us with unique interactive exhibits.  

  • The exhibition featured a newly commissioned musical playground, where visitors could play with beat, melody and harmonies. 
  • A musical Turing test challenged visitors to tell the difference between songs written by humans and machines.
  • Visitors met Haile, the musical robot that can play and improvise alongside human musicians.
  • Visitors could see the groundbreaking MiMU Gloves, created by Imogen Heap and used by artists like Ariana Grande to make gestures that control music-making software live on stage.
  • The exhibition featured weird and wonderful instruments like the Pyrophone, an organ powered by flames.

From exploring how technological advances can make music more accessible for everyone, to the ways in which music unlocks emotions and memories, Turn It Up provided an unforgettable, hands-on experience where visitors could feel, remember and reflect on what music means to each of us.

A toe tapping, foot stomping new exhibition.

BBC Radio 4, Front Row

A fascinating show.

Stephen Moss, The Guardian

A fascinating deep dive into melody.

Anna Bonet, iNews

A delight to experience.

Science and Industry Museum visitor feedback

Very interesting and engaging for adults and children alike.

Science and Industry Museum visitor feedback

It was fascinating and interactive. It took us on a journey.

Science and Industry Museum visitor feedback
A young east Asian girl with a long pigtail touches a pink interactive exhibit

Make your own melodies in the musical playground © Science Museum Group

A white adult and child play with LEGO-type blocks at an octagonal table

Create music with building blocks © Science Museum Group

A young boy dances in front of a red screen in a dark gallery

Try out your best dance moves at our digital mirror © Science Museum Group

a white adult and child sit in a red booth seat, using an interactive exhibit

Find out how music shapes your day-to-day life © Science Museum Group

Thanks to

The Vernon Ellis Foundation

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Part of the Science Museum Group

Science Museum Science Museum National Science and Media Museum National Science and Media Museum Science and Industry Museum Science and Industry Museum National Railway Museum National Railway Museum Locomotion Locomotion Science and Innovation Park Science and Innovation Park