Sonic Ritual: A new sound healing experience debuts monthly in Totnes

A radical new fusion of live cello performance and sound therapy is set to resonate through Totnes, as virtuoso cellist Ben Roberts and facilitator Stephanie Lisa Kelly launch SONIC RITUAL — a monthly immersive experience of vibrational healing and improvised music at Angel Hall, Bowden House.

Held on the first Tuesday of every month, the next session takes place on May 6th at 7:30pm. Set in the opulent surroundings of Angel Hall’s baroque interior, SONIC RITUAL promises to be more than just a concert. It’s a full-bodied, sensory journey designed to transmute dissonant energies and awaken deeper awareness through sound.

SONIC RITUAL invites guests to recline on mats, bolsters, and cushions and surrender to a deep listening experience, guided by Roberts’ electric cello and Kelly’s gentle facilitation. The format includes an opening circle to set intentions, an improvised sonic journey, and a closing circle to consciously integrate the experience.

“The last session left everyone feeling grounded and peaceful,” says Roberts. “Some said they felt time stretch and dissolve. One person described it as sonic surgery — a truly transformative experience.”

This isn’t your average sound bath. SONIC RITUAL is rooted in the concept of co-creation, where the audience becomes a conscious participant in the music. “I’m not just playing at people,” Roberts explains. “I’m channeling the energy in the room and turning it into sound. Everyone’s presence shapes the journey.”

The duo behind SONIC RITUAL - collectively known as Mystical Punk - bring distinct but complementary energies to their work.

Ben Roberts, a classically trained cellist turned musical innovator, has performed on some of the world’s greatest stages. But his recent solo ventures, particularly the acclaimed Vibrator performance at St Mary’s Church last year, have earned him praise for pioneering a new paradigm in musical and spiritual performance. CLASH Magazine called the show “an uncanny spiritual awakening”.

Once a senior engineer in building design, Roberts shifted gears after realising that raising human consciousness was key to tackling global crises. His music draws from mystical literature, punk philosophy, and experimental sound design, merging classical cello with raw, untamed textures and hypnotic structures.

Stephanie Lisa Kelly is a Totnes-based writer, artist and facilitator known for her work exploring spirituality in secular culture. A certified coach and Way of Council practitioner, she previously led international retreats and now focuses on serving her Devon community. Her poetic work and deep listening practice bring a sacred intentionality to each Sonic Ritual session.

Together, they aim to fuse healing, creativity, and consciousness in a shared ritual that invites participants to tune in, not just to the music, but to themselves and each other.

Event Details:

SONIC RITUAL
Angel Hall, Bowden House, Totnes
Tuesday, May 6th
Doors open 7:00pm | Event 7:30pm–8:45pm
Mats, blankets, and cushions provided – bring anything that makes you feel cosy

For more information or to book, visit: bencello.com