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Reclaiming the lost art of listening to music

From CBS News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Listening bars, like Seattle's Shibuya HiFi, are gaining popularity in the U.S. as people seek focused, communal music experiences.
  • These venues encourage patrons to listen to full-length albums without distractions, offering an alternative to casual at-home listening.
  • The trend revives a concept popular in Japan since the 1930s, with similar venues now appearing across the U.S. and even inspiring museum exhibits.

In an era dominated by digital streaming and constant connectivity, a growing movement is reviving the art of focused music listening. Venues known as listening bars, exemplified by Shibuya HiFi in Seattle, are attracting patrons eager to immerse themselves in full-length albums in a communal, yet intentional, setting.

That seems to me to be something that people are really rediscovering: that pleasure and the beauty of focus and intentional listening.

— Quentin ErtelExplaining the appeal of listening bars.

At Shibuya HiFi, guests are encouraged to leave their drinks and shoes behind as they enter a dedicated back room. Here, they can enjoy curated selections, ranging from Bjork to David Bowie, in an environment designed for deep listening. The popularity of these sessions is evident, with tickets often selling out for events that feature music patrons could technically access at home for free. This suggests a desire for a more profound and engaging way to experience music.

"That seems to me to be something that people are really rediscovering: that pleasure and the beauty of focus and intentional listening," said Quentin Ertel, co-owner of Shibuya HiFi. This concept echoes the 'jazz kissa' culture that emerged in Japan in the 1930s. Now, a "new wave" of similar listening bars is flourishing across the United States, with locations in Minnesota, Missouri, and Colorado.

Pursuit is a really important part of the title. I am not here to say that I have made the ultimate sound system. This is about my pursuit as a builder, as someone who's passionate about building audio equipment and listening to music through it.

— Devon TurnbullDescribing his museum installation and personal philosophy.

Artist and engineer Devon Turnbull is contributing to this trend by designing high-end audio equipment and creating public listening spaces. His installation, "HiFi Pursuit Listening Room Dream No. 3," at New York City's Cooper Hewitt Museum, highlights the importance of the listening experience itself. Turnbull's passion for audio stems from a childhood fascination with sound systems, and he sees these spaces as a way to reconnect with the emotional impact of music, which he feels was lost with the shift to digital formats.

My mom always told me that I used to just crawl to the living room and just sit in-between the speakers.

— Devon TurnbullRecounting his early fascination with audio.
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Originally published by CBS News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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