Blab Music
Beverley Knight to Offer Auracast Audio at Six UK Tour Dates
When a legend opens a new channel of sound, it’s not just a performance—it’s a promise of inclusion.
Beverley Knight, the British soul and R&B powerhouse, will bring Auracast broadcast audio to six stops on her Born to Perform tour. The six venues—Bath, Bristol, London, Southend‑on‑Sea, Cardiff and Wolverhampton—will host the feature between 19 and 30 June 2026.
The initiative is a partnership between Knight, sound engineer Adam Waller and his company Open Door Audio. In an Instagram post, Knight revealed that her mother, who has a cochlear implant, has supported her music from the start. She expressed excitement about the new technology and said her mum will be among the first people to experience Auracast.
Auracast is a broadcast audio feature of Bluetooth Low Energy (LE Audio) that allows a single transmitting device to stream audio to multiple compatible receivers simultaneously. Introduced with Bluetooth 5.2, the standard lets audio reach hearing aids, headphones, earbuds and smartphones without one‑to‑one pairing.
Open Door Audio recently tested the Auri system—supplied by Ampetronic and Listen Technologies—at a live music event. According to the company’s Instagram account, guests accessed the Auracast stream through several methods:
Loop necklaces connected to receiver packs for hearing‑aid users with a T‑coil setting Headphones linked to receivers * Auracast‑enabled earbuds
These options illustrate how the technology can be integrated into a concert environment, delivering a clearer and more direct audio feed for listeners who rely on assistive listening devices.
The tour’s Auracast rollout arrives as the technology is slated for a trial on London buses. While the trial will demonstrate the feasibility of city‑wide deployment, Auracast‑compatible hearing aids are not yet available through the National Health Service. Consequently, widespread adoption in the UK may take several years.
Knight’s Born to Perform tour covers 14 venues across the UK in June 2026, but the Auracast capability will be limited to the six selected dates. This focus allows the production team to fine‑tune the technical setup, ensure quality control and gather data on audience reception.
Industry observers see the partnership with Open Door Audio and the use of the Auri system as a practical step toward inclusive live‑event experiences. By providing a dedicated audio stream, performers can offer fans with hearing impairments a more accessible way to enjoy the music.
The initiative aligns with broader trends in the music industry, where artists and venues increasingly explore ways to make concerts more inclusive. Other examples include the use of in‑ear monitors for hearing‑aid users and the deployment of assistive listening devices at large festivals.
As of now, there are no official statements from the NHS regarding the rollout of Auracast‑compatible hearing aids. The London bus trial will likely inform future policy decisions and potential funding for the technology.
In summary, Beverley Knight’s decision to incorporate Auracast at six shows of her Born to Perform tour demonstrates a commitment to accessibility and technological innovation. The collaboration with Open Door Audio and the use of the Auri system provide a model for how live‑event audio can be adapted for audiences with hearing needs. While the technology remains in early stages of deployment, the trial on London buses and the upcoming UK tour dates will offer valuable insights into its practical application and audience reception.
The six Auracast‑enabled shows are scheduled as follows:
19 June – Bath 21 June – Bristol 23 June – London 25 June – Southend‑on‑Sea 27 June – Cardiff 30 June – Wolverhampton
Ticket holders for these dates can expect a dedicated audio stream that can be accessed via compatible hearing aids, loop necklaces, headphones or Auracast‑enabled earbuds, subject to the availability of compatible devices.
The initiative is part of a growing movement toward inclusive live‑music experiences, and its outcomes may influence future standards for assistive listening technology in the UK and beyond.
Beverley Knight, the British soul and R&B powerhouse, will bring Auracast broadcast audio to six stops on her Born to Perform tour. The six venues—Bath, Bristol, London, Southend‑on‑Sea, Cardiff and Wolverhampton—will host the feature between 19 and 30 June 2026.
The initiative is a partnership between Knight, sound engineer Adam Waller and his company Open Door Audio. In an Instagram post, Knight revealed that her mother, who has a cochlear implant, has supported her music from the start. She expressed excitement about the new technology and said her mum will be among the first people to experience Auracast.
Auracast is a broadcast audio feature of Bluetooth Low Energy (LE Audio) that allows a single transmitting device to stream audio to multiple compatible receivers simultaneously. Introduced with Bluetooth 5.2, the standard lets audio reach hearing aids, headphones, earbuds and smartphones without one‑to‑one pairing.
Open Door Audio recently tested the Auri system—supplied by Ampetronic and Listen Technologies—at a live music event. According to the company’s Instagram account, guests accessed the Auracast stream through several methods:
Loop necklaces connected to receiver packs for hearing‑aid users with a T‑coil setting Headphones linked to receivers * Auracast‑enabled earbuds
These options illustrate how the technology can be integrated into a concert environment, delivering a clearer and more direct audio feed for listeners who rely on assistive listening devices.
The tour’s Auracast rollout arrives as the technology is slated for a trial on London buses. While the trial will demonstrate the feasibility of city‑wide deployment, Auracast‑compatible hearing aids are not yet available through the National Health Service. Consequently, widespread adoption in the UK may take several years.
Knight’s Born to Perform tour covers 14 venues across the UK in June 2026, but the Auracast capability will be limited to the six selected dates. This focus allows the production team to fine‑tune the technical setup, ensure quality control and gather data on audience reception.
Industry observers see the partnership with Open Door Audio and the use of the Auri system as a practical step toward inclusive live‑event experiences. By providing a dedicated audio stream, performers can offer fans with hearing impairments a more accessible way to enjoy the music.
The initiative aligns with broader trends in the music industry, where artists and venues increasingly explore ways to make concerts more inclusive. Other examples include the use of in‑ear monitors for hearing‑aid users and the deployment of assistive listening devices at large festivals.
As of now, there are no official statements from the NHS regarding the rollout of Auracast‑compatible hearing aids. The London bus trial will likely inform future policy decisions and potential funding for the technology.
In summary, Beverley Knight’s decision to incorporate Auracast at six shows of her Born to Perform tour demonstrates a commitment to accessibility and technological innovation. The collaboration with Open Door Audio and the use of the Auri system provide a model for how live‑event audio can be adapted for audiences with hearing needs. While the technology remains in early stages of deployment, the trial on London buses and the upcoming UK tour dates will offer valuable insights into its practical application and audience reception.
The six Auracast‑enabled shows are scheduled as follows:
19 June – Bath 21 June – Bristol 23 June – London 25 June – Southend‑on‑Sea 27 June – Cardiff 30 June – Wolverhampton
Ticket holders for these dates can expect a dedicated audio stream that can be accessed via compatible hearing aids, loop necklaces, headphones or Auracast‑enabled earbuds, subject to the availability of compatible devices.
The initiative is part of a growing movement toward inclusive live‑music experiences, and its outcomes may influence future standards for assistive listening technology in the UK and beyond.
