Why Music Festivals Are Good for Your Health
The Scientific Justification for Being Annoying About Going to Coachella
With the weather warming up in & around LA, festival season is upon us! If you’ve been on the fence about whether or not to see your favorite artists in person, let us use some science to convince you.
In recent years, more & more research has connected music in its many forms with various health benefits, both psychological & physical. A 2021 study decided to look into the data & have summarized the findings for us which we took the liberty of sharing with you all here.
Studies have revealed that whether you’re lost in the background tunes of a waiting room or queuing up your favorite song on Spotify, music is working its magic on your well being – & guess what? Scientists believe it’s not much of a stretch to say that magic is amplified when you’re out there in the wild, dancing under the open sky at a music festival, or feeling the bass reverberate through your bones at a concert.
When you’re hanging out at a festival, not actively listening to a set, but soaking in the sounds, that’s a bit like receptive music listening. Studies on receptive music listening in the form of background music in medical settings & patient care found reduced levels of anxiety & distress & improved relaxation, social connection & interactions. If the constant thumping of a festival counts as background music, you can count on it to help you vibe with your fellow festival goers & relax during your favorite set. It’s the music working its subtle powers, making everything a bit brighter, a bit lighter.
& it’s not just background music that has benefits – actively listening to music is something you can count on to make you feel better. Focusing on the music or intentional music listening can reduce feelings of anxiety & stress & improve social engagement. So, when your favorite track drops live, & suddenly, you’re in a bubble of bliss, making the Bass Face (TM), you know why.
Let’s not forget the whole body experience – dancing! Moving to the music isn’t just fun; it can improve your cognitive health, keep you fit, & connect you deeper with the music & those around you. It’s the difference between listening to a festival anthem on your phone & feeling it live, where the beat dictates your every move, & for a moment, music, movement, & people are one.
If you aren’t convinced yet, you’ll be impressed by the effects of sharing music. There’s magic in sharing your favorite song among hundreds if not thousands of other people. Shared music was shown to improve mood, social interaction & communication, cognitive performance & memory formation & recollection. Live performances help create experiences & memories that last a lifetime, through emotion & the friends you share them with – a testament to music’s power to unite.
So, next time you’re debating whether to hit up that concert or festival, remember: it’s not just about seeing your favorite artists live. It’s about a shared experience that lifts spirits, strengthens bonds, and, quite literally, tunes our well-being to the rhythm of joy. Science says music is good for you, & nowhere is that more palpable, more vivid, & more fun than amidst the collective heartbeat of a concert crowd. So buy that ticket & get closer to your friends, fellow fans & strangers alike through the shared music experience!
If you’re thinking all this sounds great but don’t want to go alone, we’ve got you covered. Download Buffet to find those festival-going friends you’ve been looking for!
Source: “How Do Music Activities Affect Health and Well-Being? A Scoping Review of Studies Examining Psychosocial Mechanisms”, Dingle et. al., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8455907/
