There are multiple reasons why you should be cognizant of the music you play at your events, yet there’s one reason that stands out above the rest. It turns out that music can highly influence people's emotional well-being. Just like colors.
In the research 'Music and Emotion: Psychological Considerations' William Forde Thompson and Lena Quinto note, "Music affects us in ways that are personal and require psychological explanation: music energizes, surprises, soothes, delights, and otherwise shapes our emotional states."
Music has the power to influence the way people feel during your events. And this experience can be enhanced by knowing exactly how the background sounds can affect your attendees.
1. Make the learning process easier
According to Sarah J. Wilson, a researcher at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, music provides a powerful tool to enhance learning. This is possible because music creates an enriched environment that stimulates the capacity of the brain to adapt, thereby enhancing individual development.
Call to action:
Help your attendees learn new information easier by using songs without lyrics. Usually, the presence of lyrics may be distracting and overwhelming. Instead, let the music play before the event and during breaks.
2. Unleash the creativity during workshops
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that moderate background noise leads to a higher degree of creativity. More than that, according to the study, "A moderate level of noise not only enhances creative production, but also leads to greater adoption of innovative products." And what can be more engaging than a creative work session where attendees can interact and share ideas?
Call to action:
Encourage your attendees to access their creative potential by letting them work with ambient music. Don’t forget to keep the volume low; otherwise, according to the same study mentioned above, the music will reduce the extent of information processing and thus impair creativity.
3. Create the context for meaningful networking
One of the most powerful effects music has its ability to invoke feelings of relaxation and calmness. According to a presentation published by the Harvard Medical School, music can relieve the stress and improve mood levels, even in people with depression. Music also can enhance higher brain functions, such as emotional intelligence, which is an indispensable attribute for meaningful networking.
Call to action:
Don’t hesitate to use music during networking. Relaxed attendees will have a more pleasurable experience than the ones who are stressed about the idea of meeting new people.
4. Boost up the energy level
Yes, we all know how other people feel when they hear happy and cheerful music. Yet, the 'surprising' thing about this phenomenon is that it affects you, too. Let's be honest: event managers also need something to boost up their energy level, especially after a tense day at work while they’re busily planning their next event. So this one is for you.
Call to action:
Whenever you feel exhausted and ready to quit, put on some cheerful music and see how the music lifts your spirits and keeps you motivated to keep going.
5. Change the overall perception about the event
As researchers from the University of Groningen note, "music is not only able to affect your mood -- listening to particularly happy or sad music can even change the way we perceive the world." The study showed that people would recognize happy faces if they listened to upbeat, positive music, and would recognize sad faces if they listened to melancholy music. So be extra careful with the music you choose for your event - it may impact your attendees' emotions.
Call to action:
Avoid aggressive or violent music. When planning conferences, congresses, workshops, seminars, or roundtables, go for happy, cheerful, and calm melodies. Try jazz, ambient, indie, instrumental, or contemporary 21st-century classical music. If you are in charge of sportive events, corporate parties, or award presentations, aim for more engaging and upbeat music. Experiment with electropop, funk, pop, or soft rock.
Wrap up
Music has a powerful influence when it comes to our emotions, mood, learning ability, and energy level. By thoroughly understand how background noise affects your event, you’ll be able to design an emotionally charged experience that will empower and engage your attendees.
Read also: 5 Colour Tips on How to Decorate Your Event
