The Unifying Power of Music: How Concerts Create Social Bonds

Music's existence may very well be rooted in its ability to bring humans closer to one another. Scholars have posited that the widespread nature of music across diverse cultures is a testament to its evolutionary role in enhancing social cohesion. Groups that engaged in musical activities potentially collaborated more effectively, giving them a survival edge across the ages.

The Social Impact of Live Music

Research brings to light the phenomenon that music, particularly in the context of live performances, plays a significant part in social bonding. The connection audiences feel towards musicians can occur in both live and virtual concerts, as established in a study published in the journal Music & Science. However, those who experience music in person also feel a much stronger tie with their fellow attendees.

Scientist Dana Swarbrick, through her studies and doctoral thesis at the RITMO Center, has delved into how concerts serve as platforms for uniting people, uncovering that a collective response to music—be it motion or stillness—is indicative of the audience's engagement and mutual connectedness.

Motion as a Measure of Engagement

Different genres encourage different audience behaviors, from the lively movements of folk music to the quiet attentiveness of classical pieces. Interestingly, the degree to which audiences physically respond to music, whether by moving energetically or sitting still, can foster a strong sense of group belonging.

Audience studies during concerts have shown that movements, expected for the genre being performed, lead to a greater feeling of unity among those present. This suggests the act of moving in tune with the music or attentively listening creates a shared experience, reinforcing social ties.

The Role of Digital Concerts in Fostering Connectedness

The digitalization of concerts, accelerated by the pandemic, posed questions about the nature of the concert experience. Swarbrick's research highlights that while livestreamed events can cultivate a connection to both performers and other virtual attendees, the physical concert environment remains superior in eliciting a profound sense of unity and overall musical enjoyment.

Livestreamed concerts, including those in virtual reality settings, pave the way for global audience interaction, despite the reduced intensity of connectedness compared to being physically present. Virtual concerts still succeed in drawing audiences together with the performing artists, albeit in a different dimension.

The Distinct Experience of Physical Concerts

While virtual concerts provide an alternative, physical presence at a concert offers an unparalleled experience. Alliance and absorption in music are heightened when shared in a communal space. Future research may further explore how concerts could unify people from various backgrounds, contributing to wider social harmony.

music, concerts, unity