NØELLE on finding freedom, inspiration and innovation in Salford’s creative scene

In an industry often boxed in by conventions, NØELLE is tearing through the walls with spatial audio, visual artistry, and a DIY ethos that’s as bold as her beats. 

But her journey from rural Wales to the beating heart of Salford’s creative hub at MediaCity wasn’t without its hurdles, or triumphs.

NØELLE

“There were two pivotal moments that inspired my journey into immersive,” NØELLE explained. 

“The first was seeing Four Tet x SquidSoup at Alexandra Palace back in 2023. It was such an awe-inspiring, ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ show, featuring spatial audio and a sea of cascading lights. That still continues to inspire my journey.”

Her second spark of inspiration came closer to home, at Canvas in Manchester. “Seeing Halina Rice perform was mesmerising. Her artist-led spatial audio experiences, where she controls everything from the sound panning to audio-reactive lights, really opened my eyes to what’s possible.”

Reimagining the DIY creative mindset

But like all innovators, NØELLE had to defy doubters along the way. “In the early days, I was often told I’d need millions of pounds to pursue this kind of music. Lack of resources, information, and even getting people to understand what I was trying to do were major challenges,” she recalled. However, her ability to “work with what you’ve got” became her superpower. 

“My first shows were basically cobbled together with stage monitors stood on their sides and rigged into a mixing desk. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine.”

Her resourcefulness led her to Salford University’s Dolby Atmos studio, where her curiosity and persistence carved out a makeshift learning ground. “I’d sneak in whenever I could, pestering technicians to help answer questions about concepts that didn’t really exist yet,” she said.

NØELLE credits her resilience and a crucial role model for pushing her forward. “Halina Rice was a lifeline. Especially as a woman in spatial audio, her example and support helped me find like-minded individuals. Together, we discovered innovative ways to bring my vision to life.”

Salford’s open arms: a creative haven

While the music industry might have doubted her, Salford’s creative community never did. “From the moment I arrived here, the creative community embraced me,” NØELLE said. Her journey led her to spaces like Islington Mill, where she now has a studio, and MediaCity, which she describes as “a place that completely redefined my perspective on what it means to be an artist.

“The focus here is on innovation and impact—on creating something lasting, rather than getting lost in the dark rabbit holes of numbers and social media algorithms that so many grassroots artists face.

“The partnerships she’s formed here, like working with AIX, have been transformative. “AIX provided the space, support, and technology to turn ideas into reality—ideas I never thought would get off the ground.”

Reflecting on her move to Manchester, she recalls her beginnings in hospitality in London, working at the Barbican Arts Centre and dreaming of the creative freedom enjoyed by those behind the scenes. But it was Manchester’s openness to underdogs that offered her the chance to grow.

Volunteering at The Yard in Cheetham Hill kickstarted her grassroots career. “Within six months of working a quiet bar during weekly jazz nights, I was hosting my own events and had the keys to the front door,” NØELLE said.

Together, NØELLE and AIX are flipping the touring model on its head, developing a system for live-streaming immersive performances across venues. “This could make spatial audio shows accessible to grassroots artists without the crushing costs of traditional touring. Fans could experience immersive shows in their local venue, while the artist performs live from their home city,” she explained.

Bigger, bolder, and boundless

NØELLE ’s work is fueled by a growing arsenal of tools, from Blender and TouchDesigner to Unreal Engine. “My music is part-rave, part-experimental sound,” she said. “Through these technologies, I’ve completely reimagined how I express myself live. It’s not just a performance; it’s a shared moment of discovery.”

Her spatial audio setups even allow fans to “mix” the music themselves by moving around the room. “Want more bass or less vocal? Just shift your spot in the space,” she said. 

Creating your own path

For NØELLE , success as an immersive artist is about breaking free from the constraints of mainstream expectations and carving her own path.

“The most exciting part of my work as an immersive artist is the fact that my career doesn’t depend on conventional constructs,” she shares. “Instead of having to focus on creating the next TikTok dance or releasing a track that needs to be played on BBC Radio 6—though that would be cool—I get to create something new and explore uncharted territories.”

This relentless exploration has become the heart of NØELLE ’s voice as a creative, allowing her to bring bold ideas to life through collaborations that push boundaries. From turning fellow artists into Metahumans to helping them craft spatial audio live shows, she’s not just pioneering the use of immersive technology but also reshaping the way creators connect with their audiences.

Despite being a self-described introverted electronic producer, NØELLE has embraced the opportunities that immersive technology brings to step out of her studio and engage with the world in profound ways.

“I completely love how much immersive technology has made me go outside, talk to people, and see the wider world outside of just my studio,” she said. With her career constantly evolving, NØELLE is excited about the spaces, people, and experiences this path will continue to unfold—each new step an exhilarating discovery waiting to happen.

What’s on the horizon?

Looking ahead, NØELLE sees MediaCity and Salford as integral to her future. “With the resources and collaborators here, I’m building a spatial audio community and touring network across the UK,” she said. This includes domes, dedicated spatial audio spaces, and unexpected venues—all connected through cutting-edge technology.

“The future of my journey is hopefully about to get very exciting, alongside launching my Fortnite liveshow with Copper Candle and playing my favourite Salford festival Sounds From The Other City on the Band On The Wall stage, I look forward to arranging an Independent spatial audio venue tour towards the end of this year playing across a series of dome spaces and key spatial audio venues across the UK.

You can get tickets to Sounds From the Other City by clicking here

“With MediaCity and University of Salford, I will be continuing my work as part of a creative community called “Dreamlab” to introduce more grassroots artists to spatial audio and the incredible facilities and partners in MediaCity while forming the foundations for a spatial audio creative community and touring network across the North.” 

You can find out what’s happening at MediaCity by clicking here

In NØELLE ’s hands, the boundaries of electronic music are bending into entirely new dimensions. And with MediaCity and Salford behind her, the future of sound has never looked so limitless.

You can check out NØELLE Nurdin’s Instagram by clicking here