This Is the Age You Stop Discovering New Music, According to Science
A new study has revealed the age at which most music fans stop discovering new artists – and it varies by nationality.
“They don’t make bands like they used to…”
Let’s face it: you or someone you know has probably uttered this phrase, most likely while listening to the radio blaring out some current chart hit by an artist you’ve never heard of.
Yes, it makes you feel as old as the hills, but you’re fiercely committed to the bands you discovered as a teenager and can’t muster up as much enthusiasm for new music.
A new study indicates this is a common experience for many people, and pinpoints the age at which we stop discovering new bands – and it varies depending on where you’re from. Researchers refer to this as musical paralysis, with people hitting their musical peak several years before this, when they’ll be listening to 10 or more new tracks a week.
Music streaming service Deezer surveyed 5,000 adults from the UK, US, Germany, France and Brazil. It found that, on average, people reached their peak at 27 years and 11 months, but the average ages of both peaks and paralyses changed by country.
British people hit their peak five months after they turn 24 and don’t reach their musical paralysis age until much later, when they’re 30 and a half.
Americans discover the most music when they’re 24 and a half and stop discovering music two months after they turn 30.
Those hailing from Brazil peak when they’re 22 and reach the paralysis stage soon afterwards, just two months after turning 23.
In France, the average listener peaks four months after his or her 26th birthday and reaches musical paralysis less than a year later, aged 27 and three months.
For Germans, the peak age is 27 while they’ll stop discovering new music at 31.
Peak age also appears to vary by gender, with researchers finding that women, on average, are likely to hit their peak two months before their 25th birthday. Men peaked four months after turning 25.
The study also found that the main reason people stop discovering new music is lack of time rather than being bored with up-and-coming acts. A quarter of respondents said they have a demanding job, 18 percent felt too overwhelmed by the choice of music available and 14 percent had young children to take care of.
Sixty percent of those surveyed said they were desperate for more time to listen to new music, while over half vowed to set aside time to discover new artists in the future.
If you need some help finding new artists, check out our new playlist of the best new tracks to listen to this month.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.