Apple Music Hall, Apple's first-ever music venue, is set to open its doors to the public within weeks inside Battersea Power Station. The intimate, high-tech concert hall holds just 600 people, roughly a quarter of the size of O2 Forum Kentish Town or one hundredth the size of the Emirates Stadium, making it comparable to two MOTH clubs or four Ronnie Scott's.
A secret construction project above shoppers' heads
For months, construction workers have been putting the finishing touches on the venue while shoppers browsed the power station's outlets, unaware of the work happening mere metres above them. The venue spans floors two and three of the Grade II listed building, with visitors entering via a lift on the north side and reaching a balcony level with drinks overlooking the Thames.
According to Apple bosses, the small size is deliberate. A statement announcing the venue says the goal is "to close the gap between intimacy and production value and allow for an unprecedented level of creative control."
A stage built for flexibility and spatial audio
Inside, a 38-foot stage takes up significant floor space, allowing artists with typically large productions to translate their shows to a smaller venue. The stage is also removable, enabling performers or DJs to play "in the round" formats in the centre of the room. The hall features a 48-speaker sound system that surrounds the audience, enabling Spatial Audio performances that move with the performer.
The venue includes standing and tiered seating, plus balcony boxes for higher views. Visually, it is distinctly "Apple" – clean lines and rounded edges – set against the brick, fluted arches, and black iron of the original building.
Backstage amenities and London roots
The backstage area is far from a traditional green room, with capacious dressing rooms and two dedicated recording and mixing studios that let musicians record on the road or capture live performances in full Spatial Audio. The hall is hardwired for more than 16 cameras to film and livestream performances to a global audience.
Apple's music branch has a longstanding connection to London, most notably through the iTunes Music Festival, launched in 2007. That festival ran for ten years, bringing stadium-sized acts like One Direction and Lady Gaga to intimate venues such as KOKO, the ICA, and Roundhouse.
Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Apple Music and International Content, said: "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."
Radio integration and official endorsement
The venue will be integrated with Apple Music's radio offering. All Apple Music Radio's London-based hosts and shows will now broadcast live out of Battersea with the opening of Apple Music Studios London, located right next to the Hall.
Zane Lowe, Apple Music's global creative director and lead anchor for Apple Music 1, said: "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."
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "This is a huge vote of confidence in the UK as a global creative powerhouse. When a company of Apple's scale backs British music and talent, it's a signal of just how strong our creative sectors really are. Our industrial strategy is all about making Britain one of the best places in the world to invest, and the creative industries are a key part of that. These sectors are not only a source of immense national pride, but they also deliver real economic value for the country."
The exact opening date, along with more information on ticketing and pricing, will be released shortly.
