Music and community: turning spaces into places

When Paul Mac’s Tekno Train rolled out for Vivid Sydney, an everyday commuter service was transformed into a shared sound and light experience, turning a routine journey into a moment of collective joy and connection.

In this talk, Paul uses Tekno Train as a starting point to explore a bigger idea: how music can reshape the way we experience public space.

Drawing on his work in Australian electronic music and large‑scale public projects, he reflects on how rhythm, sound and shared listening can help strangers feel present with one another. The talk offers people‑first insights into how music can turn ordinary spaces into places where community emerges.