Experience the wonder of music in a whole new way with The Colours of Music, a pioneering collaboration between Snapchat and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO).
Experience the wonder of music in a whole new way with The Colours of Music, a pioneering collaboration between Snapchat and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). This revolutionary AR experience, crafted by Snapchat’s Paris AR Studio, transforms live music into breathtaking visuals. Inspired by chromesthesia—a phenomenon where sound is experienced as colour and shape—this lens brings to life every note, dynamic, and expression. Whether you’re a seasoned music lover or exploring orchestral sounds for the first time, this innovative experience is designed to captivate and enhance the way we engage with music. By visualising music, it may be particularly interesting for those who are hard of hearing.
Accessing The Colours of Music is simple and free. Launching on Sunday 26 January 2025, the AR lens lets users scan an instrument or singer via Snapchat to unveil stunning 3D visuals that evolve in real time with the music.
How it works
- Open your Snapchat app
- Go to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s profile to find the lens, or click here
- Scan an instrument or singer on Snapchat to trigger the AR experience.
- Upon detection of musical notes, a visual structure emerges from the instrument.
- The main shape is then divided into three strands that represent the musical score to showcase a visual expression of the music.
- Shapes and colours will then evolve in sync with the music played, with the pace and tone altering each shape’s pattern
- You can record the video, and share with your friends and family
- Tag @rporchestra whenever you share so that we can see your performances!
Live Launch event
On Sunday 26 January between 11am and 4pm, you can celebrate the launch with a live performance at the Southbank Centre, where RPO cellists will perform behind transparent AR mirrors showcasing the lens in action.
Full details are below.