Reclaiming the lost art of listening to music
Summary
Listening bars, places where people gather to listen to full albums in a shared space, are becoming more popular in the U.S. These venues focus on high-quality sound and the experience of focused, intentional listening, in contrast to the casual way many listen to music today.Key Facts
- Seattle's Shibuya HiFi is a listening bar where guests remove their shoes and listen quietly to full albums together.
- Listening bars are inspired by Japanese jazz kissas, which began in the 1930s.
- Shibuya HiFi hosts about 80 listening sessions each month, which often sell out.
- Fans pay around $20 for tickets to hear albums in these special settings.
- Artist and audio engineer Devon Turnbull builds custom speakers and designs public listening rooms to improve sound quality.
- Turnbull’s installation at the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt Museum highlights the importance of the music listening experience beyond just sound.
- The rise of digital music streaming has increased access to songs but some feel it reduces the quality and emotional impact of listening.
- Listening bars emphasize a multi-sensory experience, including comfort, lighting, and ambiance to enhance music enjoyment.
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