New York's “silent” discos are gaining popularity.

The historic district of New York, South Street Seaport has recently become one of the most fashionable places in the city. On Friday evening, just after sunset, about 300 people come here - to dance in silence. From the side it looks like a large-scale flash mob: crowds of people in glowing headphones are swaying to the beat of the music, and it’s quite obvious: everyone has their own.

In fact, it is a silent disco. At least three DJs play on it so that the party guest can choose the wave they like. This fashion phenomenon originated in the early 2000s at the Coachella and Bonnaroo festivals, and gradually migrated to bars, then to weddings and university parties. The popularity of the idea of ​​“dancing in silence” is easy to explain: everyone wants not only to have fun, but also to respect someone else’s sleep. However, regulars of silent discos find many more reasons why they love them so much.

“I love clubs, but sometimes it seems to me that my eardrums will burst once,” says Andre Coppage, who came to New York from Pennsylvania. - Here I’m definitely not deaf, and if the song gets tired, just switch to a different frequency. Of course, from the outside it looks weird: we are like athletes who run along the street and sing along to themselves. But it doesn't bother me at all. ”

"Silent parties are a dance with yourself," says Queens resident Bernadette Gay. - Usually I go to such a disco alone. Why? So I try to overcome shyness. After all, I already look funny in these headphones, swaying in time with the music, so I don’t have to worry about the stupid kind, I’m free to make new friends and find new friends. ”

I must say that silent discos are not only fun, but also profitable. The party organizer in South Street Seaport, William Petz, once spent his entire fortune on 350 pairs of headphones with backlight and immediately prepared for the worst — that one would have to find sooner or later buyers of this “wealth” on eBay. However, a year later he had already 6 000 pairs, and there was no question of selling any miracle gadgets.

“Today we are the most fashionable headliners. At weddings, our guests decide which wave to choose, the bride or groom, and get excited about it. They are going to honeymoon islands with us in order not to disturb the silence and the undisturbed rest of the neighbors. Everyone can listen to our music, and at the same time: ballerinas can practice under Tchaikovsky, without fear that the netlen will “interrupt” hip-hop with bodybuilders' headphones, says Petz. “I myself like silent parties, because I have no sense of rhythm at all, and while dancing in silence, I am freeing myself, because no one knows whether I am in tune or not.”