Do you play music in public? WHY?

[Grau]

Today me and DCs have gone to a local beauty spot by the river. It's really peaceful, usually a few people having picnics and kids paddling and that's it. Today a family has set up near us and is playing music very loudly. For me it really spoils the vibe of being outside with just the sound of the breeze and the water. I've noticed this on the beach too. The worst was someone setting up a big speaker on some rocks in a spot of absolute staggering beauty abroad where everyone else was talking quietly and snorkeling. I just don't get it. I'd genuinely like to hear from those who do this, some of you must be here. Do you think because you like the music, others will too? Do you think it sets a nice energy and that everyone else will be thankful/enjoy it? Do you just not care as long as you have what you want?

YABU - it's not a problem
YANBU - it's antisocial and/or selfish
(Edited by MNHQ at request of OP)

Maybe they could hear a neighbours inflatable hot tub humming and droning into their skulls all day and evening.

That's a good reason to turn up the music!

One person polluting their close environment for other people, in what ever way, - be it smoking, littering, car fumes, dog shit, music, face timing etc - is a certain mind set

Racism indeed (on this particular point). Did he say why he can't experience it that way using headphones?

It's not about not liking music, it's about not pushing your choices onto other people. Consideration, in other words. You can't enjoy to the quiet countryside sounds around you through headphones but you can enjoy music that way so quiet trumps music.

There’s a special circle of hell for people who watch video on their phones on a bus or train without speakers.

I find it absolutely staggering that anyone could think this is acceptable behaviour.

In my opinion this is even worse than doing it outside. At least outside you can escape it.

You say you switch off if people are nearby

I have already left in disappointment after hearing the tinny music. We were desperately short of green space in my last place. I’d go to a nice place on the bus and find this . No point asking to turn it off, rough part of town etc.

Why not just leave it off in the first place? You say you are considerate. So be considerate.

The poll is weighting ever more in the direction that music being played is shitty behaviour. Still, nearly 70 people have voted that it's not a problem. I'm honestly not being goady, I genuinely want to understand. Those who vote that's it's OK, do you mean it doesn't bother you one way or another, or are you someone who plays music? If you play it, what is your reasoning? There must be a perspective I haven't considered.

The family today were interesting in that after the European guitar music stopped, they started playing some playlists or maybe (I'm being charitable) it was Spotify radio. Fairly frequently it played rap music which they left on when clean but quickly skipped if a swear word started or the n-word. Which actually is even more fascinating to me, as it shows some level of social awareness. This isn't someone who just does not give a shit. This is someone who holds some kind of boundaries or rules around acceptable music. Suggesting their decision to play music is actually considered and they are aware of others nearby. Yet despite that awareness they still made the decision to being the speaker and set the volume pretty loud.

Fortunately we live in an area of wonderful countryside, also near hills, lakes and the sea. So there is plenty of space about. Also we don't also have music on, just occasionally when the evening is going on, the fire is going and it is right. Don't picture a group of weed smoking louts here with dogs yapping and running about, just a nice peaceful family occasion.
I fully agree there is a time and place for music, I did vote to say the author was being reasonable. Was just showing how we are. And only when the mood is there for it.

I haven't voted as am using iOS app but I like it when music is played outdoors generally. I enjoy listening to it. It's a nice sound on a sunny day.

Chavs.

‘It’ being your music or other people’s?

Well obviously I don’t mind listening to my own music, who minds that! I don’t really play music outside though as not organised enough to bring the kit with me! I am talking about other people’s music as that’s what this thread is about.

I quickly read the OP and thought she meant that family had started playing instruments 😂 I thought it sounded unusual.

So how would you feel about my medieval chant? Or renaissance loud reed instruments? Or a brass band? Or morris dance music? Would you welcome all those?

I went on a walk on Dartmoor last evening and there were a group walking along playing music. That is NOT what I go for a walk for. It is mind blowingly selfish and I HATE it.

So I'd messaged DH about it and he asked a colleague at work, who turned out to be in the 'music is generally ok' group!

Colleague's perspective is that no one can really dictate how others might want to enjoy a public space, and often he might like to have music on if with friends by the river. He did say he wouldn't play anything that would widely be considered 'obnoxious' particularly songs with swear words. He would not have the volume high and would want it soft enough to just about hear it where he is.

DH took this to essentially be a difference in personality - that unlike me, his colleague was willing to impose his own preferences on others to a moderated extent in order to have the experience he wants. Colleague noted you'd also hear kids shouting, maybe dogs, splashing, distant traffic etc.

I cannot get my head around it. Those last sounds he noted are incidental to the place you are in. Music is a deliberate, unnatural addition. I feel there is really no amount that is acceptable to impose on others trying to enjoy a natural outdoor space. And who is to say what is obnoxious? Music one person thinks is nice and adds to the mood could be someone else's absolute most hated. It's so subjective. Whereas if you go sit by a paddling area at a river you are pre-accepting the sounds of kids, water etc

Interesting to hear another's perspective though. I guess it's about how much you're able to tolerate potentially disturbing/upsetting others for your own experience. I expect everyone is within a range.

I'd be interested to know what colleague would do if he arrived somewhere and someone else was already playing music. Would he play it anyway and create a cacophany? Is there any type of music he feels would negatively affect his experience? Based on his logic there shouldn't be.

I loathe people who play music in public. I'm really sensitive to noise and it utterly frazzles me. I agree that people who inflict their music and their choices on other people are utterly inconsiderate.

If you want to sit in a beauty spot listening to music put some sodding headphones in. Not everyone else wants to hear it.

I know we are not supposed to judge but frankly anyone who inflicts their music choice on others in public is frankly a chav.

DP and I go to local beauty spots and have a picnic or a few drinks. It's just us and we are not near anyone. We do listen to music in that situation as it increases our enjoyment. We don't do this where people are. No one has ever sat near us due to where we sit but if they did we would turn it off.

Sometimes DP will walk about with his music on his phone and I immediately get the ick and think we are completely different people. What a chav!

I hate it when people play music on campsites. The sheer arrogance of forcing your (usually crap) taste in music (well any music really) on all of the people around you!

Do you think no one sits nearby because of the music?

I guess if absolutely no one is nearby that's one thing. I always wonder how far away other people really are though. You can hear it at quite some distance and sometimes low level, tinny distant music is even worse.

Yanbu

You shouldn't inflict your music on others on a beach

When the wars over isnt this the sort of things we can ask the Ukrainians to sort out?

Track the source of the noise and send a little present

I play music in public but I wouldn't in a beauty spot or a forest or quiet park or whatever. In a busy city park, with lots of background noise, then I do.

I think it is ok if no one else is around

I hate it. I don’t play music in my garden and am grateful that our neighbours don’t either. Went to the beach at the weekend and two coach loads of day trippers turned up. Within ten minutes they had descended with a huge speaker and played music at huge volume. It was absolutely horrible for those already there. That and the weed smoking meant we upped and left. I think there should be bylaws enforced.