Tribeca 2021 | "Knot" Is Not Your Average Storytelling Experience

There’s a boy. There’s a ball. There’s a box. The alliteration can’t be an accident. Neither can the events that unfold around these details. What becomes clear by the “conclusion” of Knot - an official Tribeca Festival selection - is that despite how random things may seem, few details occur by happenstance. If you follow ForReel, you know that immersive radio is not typically a part of what we cover. However, upon encountering the premise of Knot, I decided this was an experience I had to indulge...and I couldn’t be happier that I did.

Knot is a three-part immersive audio show from Darkfield Radio - an app and outlet that specializes in this unique form of entertainment. As the title implies, Knot weaves its stories in and out of themselves throughout the three 20 to 30 minute episodes, introducing characters and concepts aimed at challenging perception and blurring the line between imagination and reality. Live broadcasted through the app at designated times, there is a lot for a newcomer to immersive audio to appreciate about what Knot accomplishes in storytelling, and plenty to ponder after the story - figuratively speaking - comes to an end.

The experience of Knot comes with a couple of recommendations  - the first is that attendees wear over-the-ear headphones, which I would say is wise. I listened to Knot with my wireless Samsung Galaxy Buds, which delivered the presentation just fine with its ear-plugging design, but as with any buds-vs-over-the-ear comparisons, the compact nature means there’s much better quality to be had with headphones that prioritize quality over minimal design.

The other recommendation, though, is to experience Knot in three different locations - the first episode asks listeners to sit on a park bench, the second in a car, and the third in a room of the listener’s home. While this is a clever effort at enhancing the immersive experience, I found it not entirely necessary to feel the effect of each episode. Listening from your car or home might be reasonable to arrange for those who have the space, but seeking out a public park bench for the very first portion of Knot is a high barrier to entry and a somewhat awkward arrangement, especially when wearing headphones and closing your eyes eliminates much of the sensory experience that’s inherent with being in public.

But to call the story that unfolds “fascinating” is an understatement. Part one drums up a nature of repetition that challenges listeners to ask themselves questions; questions, of course, that aren’t completely answered in the 20 minutes that this segment runs. In fact, the longer it goes on, the more mysterious the premise seems to become.

After a 40 minute intermission, Episode 2 reels audiences back into a more familiar state of storytelling with two characters bantering back and forth in a car setting. They, too, introduce new questions and curiosities for the listener, but occasionally, glimmers of part one become evident in their story.

Part three runs 10 minutes longer than the previous two, which may or may not have been necessary, depending on how entranced with a particular segment of this episode any given listener is - I would’ve preferred it had been shorter. But this finale warps time and storytelling in a way that is practically betwitching as the story brings its title to fruition.

What Knot does with scattered details, fragmented storytelling, and engrossing mystery is more than worth the price of admission. And if nothing else, it’s a phenomenal introduction for people like me to the entertainment value that immersive radio has to offer. It makes sense that Knot ties itself up in a continuous loop - those enthralled with the experience may find themselves wanting to ride through this spellbinding journey multiple times anyways.