Quite The Experience
The Experience Music Project is fast becoming a musical Mecca for all kinds of music fans.
The project, which opened in June, combines state-of-the-art audio and visual technology with a spectacular collection of memorabilia aimed at immersing visitors in American popular music.
People seeing the EMP for the first time might be puzzled. The building housing the project resembles an enormous, multicolored Jell-O ball that rolled off the Space Needle. The building’s wavy, asymmetrical “sides” are plated with colored steel and aluminum panels that cast bizarre reflections. It’s hard to believe such a crazy-looking structure could hold one of the most high-tech and extensive collections of rare musical artifacts.
But the building plays a small role in the entire project. Outside the main entrance, strategically placed speakers softly play a mix of classic rock ‘n’ roll, which adds to the laid-back atmosphere and overall experience.
Once inside, visitors are led into the expansive Sky Church, which takes its name from a Jimi Hendrix song. The room is a great hall of sorts, with the world’s largest indoor video screen hogging a wall. At night, the Sky Church often is used as a concert hall where bands take advantage of the room’s perfect acoustics. At other times, music videos and concert footage are shown on the screen.
One of the EMP’s most innovative features is the Museum Exhibit Guide. The MEG is a pack that visitors sling across their chests like a bandolier. Headphones and a hand-held device with a touch-sensitive screen are attached. Each EMP exhibit includes symbols indicating that MEG can tell you more about the artifacts in that room. Point the hand-held device at the remote sensor marked by the symbol and press a button, which prompts a list to appear on the screen. You can pick from the highlighted options to learn more about the exhibit. The detailed explanations are auditory and include high-quality music clips, as well as artists explaining their work.
By far, the most popular exhibit is the spectacular Jimi Hendrix Gallery. This gallery is one of the smaller exhibits in terms of floor size but the most comprehensive in terms of classic memorabilia and artifacts. The feeling a Hendrix fan gets standing less than a foot away from the Fender Stratocaster played by the guitar god himself at Woodstock is - in the understated words of one elderly man - “pretty neat.”
Especially notable is the hilarious audio clip of The Who’s Pete Townshend talking about how jealous he was when Hendrix used Townshend’s trademark guitar-smashing act.
The wait to enter the Hendrix Gallery can be as long as 90 minutes because only 40 people are allowed in at a time. A small theater with multiple video screens and an enviable sound system entertains waiting visitors. Musicians highlighted in the video include B.B. King, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, and even Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello.
While the Hendrix Gallery may be unbeatable, other exhibits are nearly as engaging. The Northwest Passages exhibit includes popular artists from the Pacific Northwest, such as The Kingsmen, The Ventures, Heart, Nirvana and Soundgarden. The exhibit contains several rock ‘n’ roll relics, such as guitars smashed by Nirvana members and original stage outfits worn by members of Heart.
The EMP focuses on rock music, but it doesn’t ignore hip-hop. One exhibit chronicles the roots of rap that began with break dancing and New York City’s subway graffiti art. Artifacts include Grandmaster Flash’s turntables and clothing worn on stage by Snoop Dogg, RunD.M.C. and The Fearless Four.
Visitors made anxious for a jam session after witnessing all this musical genius can visit the Sound Lab. There they can learn to play simple guitar and bass guitar riffs as well as drum bits. More experienced musicians can visit one of the 12 soundproof practice rooms.
Several other exhibits deserve mention: Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Rock’s Next Generation (featuring Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin), the mind-blowing section on punk rock and the Los Angeles punk scene, the theme parklike “Funk Blast” ride and, especially, the guitar gallery.
Visitors should arrive early and expect to stay late. And wear comfortable shoes, have fun and enjoy the music.
This sidebar appeared with the story: IF YOU GO EMP
Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, the Experience Music Project is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Admission is $15.95 for students, military personnel and senior citizens with identification; $19.95 for adults; and $14.95 for children ages 7 to 12. Children 6 and younger get in free.