Silent disco originated in the 1970s as an expedient method of circumventing noise restrictions. During that period, it was customary for individuals to carry their own music, which was loaded onto a Walkman. Subsequently, DJs would establish their own radio channels to facilitate the simultaneous listening of the same playlist. These events gained popularity in the early 2000s when music festivals began to present silent gigs with a variety of artists streaming on various channels.
In a typical nightclub or disco, all attendees participate in synchronized dancing to the same music. However, at a silent disco, individuals may be dancing in the same area but not in sync with one another if they are listening to a variety of music on multiple channels. This may be an unusual experience, but it does offer a highly beneficial context for investigating the significance of synchrony, which is more commonly referred to as “being in harmony” on the dance floor.
Therefore, what is the significance of the “silent disco” phenomenon in the context of dance? It has been employed by researchers to investigate social dynamics, and they have discovered that it disrupts the social bonding effects of dance. Silent disco may also facilitate our comprehension of the development of musicality and our rhythmic capabilities.
My research as a cognitive anthropologist focuses on the reasons why humans devote so much time to singing and dancing. I am particularly intrigued by the social function of dance.
Silent concert in the laboratory
In a recent study that employed a silent disco experiment, I sought to determine the significance of dancers’ synchronization. Additionally, the fact that individuals were dancing while wearing headphones enabled us to regulate whether or not they were listening to the same music. This enabled us to differentiate between the effects of swaying in unison and the experience of sharing a dance floor.
In our investigation, we had pairs of participants listen to identical music; however, we altered the timing of the music by introducing a delay to one of the channels. We discovered that individuals preferred the music to be played in sync with their dance companion, despite the fact that they were unaware that we were manipulating the timing. Additionally, they exhibited a greater degree of mutual gaze when they were listening in unison.
This silent disco method has also been employed in comparable studies, in which researchers discovered that we retain information more effectively when we dance in unison with others. Additionally, synchronized dancing may activate the endorphin system, which induces positive emotions.
Accompanying one another
It appears that individuals are more amicable when they are moving in unison. This is accurate in both fundamental experiments that merely involve synchronized finger tapping and more naturalistic silent disco studies. The “active ingredient” in the social bonding effects of music and dance may be the synchronization involved.
While singing and swaying with others is an effective method of cultivating synchrony, it is also present in a variety of social interactions. The slight temporal delay that disrupts the flow of conversation and prevents sync may have been the cause of any Zoom fatigue that was experienced during the pandemic. This can be quite exasperating and ultimately exhausting in a Zoom setting.
Some of my colleagues even observed that live-streams fostered a greater sense of social connection when compared to pre-recorded concerts, partly due to the synchrony involved, as live concerts were being supplanted during the COVID pandemic. Despite the apparent distance between us in terms of space and time, there is a unique quality to the knowledge that another individual is going through the same experience as we are.
The development of music
According to certain researchers, the social bonding effects of music and dance may have played a significant role in the development of musicality. They suggest that the release of “feel-good” endorphins is facilitated by synchronizing with others, which in turn reduces tension. In evolutionary terms, individuals with superior musical abilities may be more successful, as reducing tension for others may increase their admiration for them and potentially increase their social status or likelihood of finding a mate.
An alternative theory posits that group synchronization may serve as a method of demonstrating the group’s fortitude to others, similar to a marching band participating in a military parade. These two theories, which appear to be in opposition, may actually be complementary. However, it is exceedingly challenging to verify this empirically, as it is impossible to replicate the entirety of human evolution in a laboratory setting. Consequently, these controversies may never be finally resolved.
It is a fact that music and dance serve significant social functions in contemporary society. When it appears that a significant number of individuals worldwide are experiencing loneliness, it is crucial to comprehend the process by which individuals establish and sustain social connections.
Our ancestors may have preferred group song and dance, as it continues to be the preferred method for many individuals worldwide. Nevertheless, it may be advantageous to forgo the headphones if you intend to establish social connections on the dance floor.
