Music / Sunhaze
The immersive events prioritising creativity, artistry and healing
Sunhaze is the multi-sensory, immersive experience focusing on the power of music and visual aesthetics.
Fusing music, art and healing, the events involve live music, DJs, visual arts and massages from resident masseuse Ellie Gillan of Iris Holistics.
Dubbed the “the ultimate Sunday comedown event”, founder Jenner Finch formed the idea of Sunhaze when she was studying in Manchester.
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“I am fortunate to have synaeasthesia, tis means that, for me, music is a multi-sensory, profound experience,” Jenner tells Bristol24/7.
“I began to appreciate what a gift this was during my time as a student in Manchester, where my friends and I would sit in my room and take it in turns to select an eclectic range of records to play. We carefully curated the environment through having ambient lighting and creating a warm, safe environment.
“Cherishing these moments, I realised the potential for communal listening to be a transformative and healing experience. The decision to bring my synaesthesia into a tangible space for others to experience marked the birth of Sunhaze.”
Promising a safe and relaxed environment where attendees can sit on the floor and take part in art exhibits, people are encouraged to draw along to the music and to pin the art on the communal art wall.
The events aim to foster a connectedness between attendees – photo: Sophia Stefell
There are several different versions of the Sunhaze events: Sunhaze (embracing warmer, sensual aesthetics), Moonhaze (delving into darker, moodier tones), and Dreamhaze (exploring the metaphysical and theatrical).
Previous artists performing at the events include singer-songwriter August, reggae band Golden Guild and the next event will welcome percussion based electronica artist Echo Juliet and ambient grunge band Afraid of the Dark.
What does Jenner look for when hiring artists for these type of events?
“Rather than adhering to genre constraints, our approach to selecting musicians revolves around their ability to complement the theme of each event,” Jenner explains.
“Take, for instance, our upcoming Lavender Fields event – an abstraction that inspires a curated lineup spanning dream pop from March and Violet, folk rock/ambient grunge from Afraid of the Dark, neo-classical/experimental jazz from Bethany Ley and broken beat/percussion filled electronica from Echo Juliet. To me, all the music evokes hues of purple.”
Founder Jenner Finch hopes to bring synaeasthesia into a tangible space – photo: Barnaby Chinnocks
Sunhaze has become a beloved space, allowing people to be comfortable and safe in an environment that nourishes creativity and artistry.
Born in Manchester but nutrued in Bristol, how has the city helped these events grow?
“The city’s rich history of embracing artistic expression and its thriving music and art communities align seamlessly with our mission.
“Our events are designed to be a dynamic amalgamation and celebration of Bristol’s vibrant music scene, fulfilling a specific need for diverse, immersive, and unique cultural experiences.
“Within the city, there exists a notable political undercurrent, contributing to Bristol’s ongoing commitment to social justice and historical awareness.
“Sunhaze aims to explore the implications of this ethos through offering glimpses into alternative realities, accessed through the ethereal nature of our events.”
The next Sunhaze event, which will focus on the Dreamhaze theme, takes place at The Mount Without on February 20.
Tickets are on sale now and can be found here
Main photo: Martin Viktorov
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