People who describe themselves as serious music fans listen to the same tracks and artists on repeat and we don’t widen our musical tastes
Music lovers are suffering from ‘tunes on a loop’ – listening to the same tracks and albums over and over again. A poll, of 2,000 people who describe themselves as serious music fans, found 70% listen to the same tracks and artists on repeat.
As a result, they tune in to their favourite song 343 times-a-year on average – and only have six artists in their rotation at any one time.
But more than a quarter claim they’re not keen on broadening their harmonic horizons and are content with being stuck in their loop.
Almost two-thirds listen to the same tracks because they ‘like what they like’, while others find it comforting and nostalgic – whereas 36% are simply creatures of habit.
The research, commissioned by National Rail, found 41% haven’t listened to an album in full, from start to finish, in the past year – and one in 10 claimed they never have.
While many are happy with what they currently listen to, 65% want to listen to new music, but 16% said a lack of time was the biggest barrier to taking in new tunes.
Festivals continue to play a vital role in helping fans expand their musical horizons, with 17% saying they are more likely to discover new music when attending one. The OnePoll study also found 43% of festival goers will be making their way to the event via train.
During the journey, 32% will use the time to listen to artists they will see at the festival, while 19% will start to plan who they want to see – and 36% are more likely to listen to new records when on the train than other modes of transport.
A spokesperson for National Rail said: “A great summer music experience shouldn’t just start when you enter the venue, it begins the moment you start your journey.
“Train travel gives people valuable time back, creating the perfect opportunity to switch off, reset, and discover something new.”