Previous research suggests that when people synchronize their movements, it results in social bonding. Concerts are real-world events in which many people who are often strangers to each other gather to listen—and move—to music. Are concerts venues for social bonding?
In a series of experiments, doctoral researcher Dana Swarbrick found that connectedness is not only fostered when audiences move more together, but also by behaving in musically cooperative ways by stilling in response to key musical moments. It all depends on the musical context: classical music demands audience stillness, while folk music demands more audience motion.
During and after COVID-19, Swarbrick compared live concerts to live-streamed concerts and different types of virtual concerts (live-streamed and pre-recorded). Live concerts promote more connectedness amongst the audience than live-streamed concerts. However, live-streaming audiences report just as much connectedness to the performers as live concert audiences. Furthermore, emotional experiences of awe and feeling moved are not reduced as a result of technological mediation. However, achieving a state of absorption in the music is easier at a live concert.
Performers should aim to use various types of technology, such as virtual reality (VR), video conferencing, and high-quality audio, to improve their livestreaming audiences' social and emotional experiences.
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Trial lecture
Designated topic: "How can engaging with music contribute to emotional regulation, and how may this be related to health and wellbeing?"
Evaluation committee
- Doctor Michelle Phillips, Royal Northern College of Music (first opponent)
- Professor Peter Keller, Aarhus University (second opponent)
- Professor Emeritus Even Ruud, University of Oslo (committee administrator)
Chair of the defence
- Department of Musicology Head of Research Peter Edwards, University of Oslo
Supervisors
- Professor Jonna Vuoskoski, University of Oslo
- Professor Alexander Refsum Jensenius, University of Oslo