Silent Disco turns up the volume

Muted dance parties join a slew of activities as city focuses on residents' physical fitness, Zheng Zheng reports.

An unconventional party scene in Shanghai is bringing together residents to dance to the beat of a "silent" drum — or rather, music heard through headphones. While dancing and silence may be paradoxical concepts, Silent Disco is enriching how Shanghai residents let loose.

On certain afternoons and nights, onlookers may spot groups moving around to unheard melodies on walking paths. This is a Silent Disco scene, a novel, autonomous dance experience. Participants don wireless headphones that transport them into an immersive audio world while muted to the outside surroundings.

Silent Disco originated in Europe when young people decided to plan dance parties in the forest without disturbing the animals with loud music, choosing to use headphones instead of speakers.

"It shatters the conventions of traditional theater by taking performances out of confined venues and into the public sphere," says Li Yan, managing director of the 1862 Fashion Art Center that organizes Silent Disco activities.

Shanghai was the first stop in China for the touring act introduced by Britain with a performance in the Rockbund neighborhood of Huangpu district in June and July. A new venue was added in August at EKA Art in Pudong.

At each Silent Disco event, attendees are given headphones with specific colored lights that link them to the same audio channel. As a "silent guide" leads the dances, the music plays through the headphones, turning sidewalks into dance floors. Led by the guides, participants collaborate on group choreography, adding an interactive social element seldom seen in traditional theater productions.

Silent Disco also celebrates the cultural appeal of the host city by highlighting iconic architecture and lively neighborhoods along its routes, explains Li. "For our audiences, it cultivates all the desired experiential elements — relaxation, existence, social connection and atmospheric vibes."