One of the best night's sleep in my entire life was had in a hammock at Burning Man after exploring the Playa all night. I fell into it wrapped in my vegan fur, with a huge dome of twinkle lights overhead and ambient music all around me, and slept like Thumbelina in her peapod. Ever since then, I've been championing the intensely under-utilized power of music and sound for sleep and restoration. So, imagine my delight when I read that The Bay Area’s sprawling music and arts festival Noise Pop will feature a "sleep concert."
Amplify reports: “This year we are very excited about several alternative programming elements,” said Ludwig. “The crown jewel is we’re doing a sleep concert with Robert Rich which is this very strange experience. It starts at midnight and the intention is for people to fall asleep in a room and to have ambient music wash over them for eight hours.”
The overnight gig on Feb. 23 fits about 140 people in the Gray Area theater as the “godfather of sleep concerts” Robert Rich in collaboration with Flow Kana plays ambient music. Attendees are encouraged to bring yoga mats, sleeping bags, and pillows to make themselves comfortable until morning.
“In actuality, it is not a great night sleep,” Ludwig explained. “The idea is to have the music invade people’s peripheral space and that doesn’t necessarily lend itself to great sleeping conditions. But it does create an incredibly unique experience.” Ludwig added, “It’s right on the money in terms of what the Bay Area likes.”
Even though Rich is from the Bay Area, this will be his first sleep concert for local audiences since the 1980s.
Music wash, soundbath, sonic cleansing...call it what you will, I'm just thrilled it is happening for this generation of festival goers. Read the full story about this hipster sleepover at Amplify. And get a good night's sleep before you go.
