Bass in your Face
Participatory stage show for events and schools – sound waves, circuits, vibrations, electromagnetism and the design of loudspeakers.
‘Bass in Your Face’ is a fun and accessible science show performed by Steve Summers of Noisy Toys.
The show involves a lot of audience participation and has been featured at some of the largest science events in the UK*, as well as at national science museums and many Primary and Secondary schools.
*including: Big Bang Fair (the UK’s largest STEM event) + regionals, Maker Faire UK, the Science & Media Museum, the Museum of Science & Industry (Manchester), Festival of Tomorrow, Camp Bestival & more.
Photo: Hannah Webster, Science & Media Museum
What is this mysterious thing called Bass and why does it make us feel so groovy? What is it that pushes speakers and turns motors? To find out we will fill the theatre with Booming bass vibrations, electrocute some noses, turn ourselves into air molecules, try a bad magic trick and get messy from an eruption of flour and lentils.
We will take a tour of the frequency spectrum from gut-shaking bass to nasty squeaky treble and discover that children have super-powers of hearing compared to adults.
Photo: Great Exhibition Road Festival, London, 2026
During the show, Steve uses various props and visualisations to help the audience understand the abstract concepts of sound and electrical current.
Flour and lentils scattered from a powerful vibrating speaker driver show the energy that usually shakes the air in the room so we can hear the music.
Yes, it gets messy.
Photo: Festival of Tomorrow, Swindon, 2026
Participation
The whole audience gets to take part at the end; you can come up to the front and experience the ‘Bass-Buzz’, feeling powerful sound vibrations through your fingers.
There are several opportunities for volunteers to come up onto the stage and help with demonstrations.
The audience will be magically turned into air molecules to experience the push and pull of sound waves.
“Bass in Your Face’ is a great show! Providing an intriguing and interactive demonstration of the science around sound waves; the pupils were especially fascinated by the use of upcycled speakers and household gadgets. This worked well as part of the Big Bang @ Eastbourne for over 600 Key Stage 3 students with varying interest and ability in science.”
Bronagh Liddicoat, Head of STEM Sussex, University of Brighton