The new immersive experience is on until June and is not to be missed
FLOW at St George’s Hall(Image: Andy Teebay)
St George’s Hall is a treasured landmark. This majestic Victorian structure stands tall opposite Lime Street Station, boasting an intricate network of corridors, grand halls, and hidden corners that would require days to fully discover.
Any opportunity to venture inside is a treat, and in recent years, efforts have been made to open up the building to the public through events that showcase its remarkable interior. In 2023, a rare chance to marvel at the breathtaking Minton tiles within the Great Hall drew in thousands of visitors, who eagerly explored this cherished Liverpool gem.
This inclusive approach to art and architecture is quintessentially Liverpool – we don’t just observe, we immerse ourselves in experiences that invite participation. This is reflected in the city’s passion for “immersive” art, a quality that sets us apart.
Liverpool’s enthusiasm for interactive cultural experiences is unparalleled. And this was evident in 2024 when St George’s Hall was transformed by Enlightenment by Eonarium – a combination of light and music that turned the space into a hypnotic chamber of colour and sound.
Over the next few weeks, a similar concept is taking over the historic space – Swiss art collective PROJEKTIL has brought another fusion of classical music and 360° light projections to Liverpool.
The display reimagines Smetana’s ‘The Moldau’ with electronic beats and light projections, turning the venue into an enchanting audiovisual soundscape.
I recently visited FLOW with my little boy, who is 18 months old. When we entered the Great Hall we were shown to an accessible area by the incredibly helpful staff, and we plonked ourselves down on a beanbag ready to stare at the projections all around us.
A few of our fellow audience members opted to sit in the chairs lining the top and bottom of the venue, because the comfy beanbags can be a bit trickier to get up and out of when the show is over if you’ve got additional access needs. The whole space and the show itself is incredibly well set up for visitors of all ages – from tiny babies in their prams to elderly couples who took in the spectacle holding hands in their seats.
When the show started, the light display took over the entire expanse of the hall, with everyone’s gaze locked upwards, entranced by the animations and effects that elicited awe across the room.
The experience is completely immersive (Image: Andy Teebay)
Set against classical music with electronic elements, the lights danced around the grandeur of the hall’s architecture, meshing the ancient with the modern in an unforgettable fusion.
Natural elements like fish, plants and astrological symbols filled the space and we instantly became immersed in the colourful scenes all around us. It’s rare that my little boy will sit still for longer than a few seconds – but parts of the display were so mesmerizing that he stopped in his tracks and stared up in wonder at the sights around him.
Each experience lasts for 30 minutes(Image: Andy Teebay)
Being at the heart of such a spectacular event is both calming and exhilarating, while life outside in the city carries on as usual. In a world where it’s challenging to disconnect, this kind of experience offers the perfect opportunity.
And at only 30 minutes long, it was just the right length of time for a toddler – making it a great family activity for little ones.