Britons say music ‘vital to mental health’

More than 85% of British people believe music is an important part of maintaining positive mental health, a survey has found.

The survey, conducted by the app FREE NOW also found that two thirds of those polled see local grassroots music venues as a vital part of the cultural make-up of their hometowns.

Half the people surveyed said that music was a reason for their closest friendships and almost 84% said they had at some point been moved to tears by music.

Music was also seen as a key component of many people’s romantic relationships. Almost a third of respondents said that they had met their partners though a connection with music and 38% knew what song they wanted to play for the first dance at their weddings before even meeting their partners.

“The importance of music was never in doubt but it’s great to see confirmation of just how vital it is to people’s daily lives”, said Mariusz Zabrocki, General Manager of FREE NOW.

“We know more than most that live music has had an incredibly rough few years with the pandemic and incoming cost of living crisis.”

The app is set to partner with the Music Venue Trust for 120 gigs aimed at supporting struggling music venues across the UK in the next year.

“The grassroots music sector is facing incredibly tough times with the energy crisis and the cost of living challenges compounding the impacts of the pandemic,” said the trust’s CEO Mark Davyd.

“This survey demonstrates again how important these venues are and how much it matters to people, and it’s great to see companies like FREE NOW recognising that value with direct action campaigns bringing more music opportunities to more people.”