A new study has revealed that 70% of music fans listen to the same tracks and artists repeatedly, with many showing little interest in expanding their musical horizons. National Rail aims to change this with a specially designed 'reset' track.
Study Reveals Repetitive Listening Habits
A poll of 2,000 self-described serious music fans found that 70% listen to the same tracks and artists on repeat. On average, they play their favorite song 343 times a year and have just six artists in their rotation at any one time. More than a quarter (27%) admitted they are not interested in broadening their music catalogue. Almost two thirds (64%) said they listen to the same tracks because they 'like what they like,' while half find it comforting (50%) and nostalgic (50%). Another 36% said they are creatures of habit.
National Rail's 'Track Rest' Initiative
The research was commissioned by National Rail, which has developed a scientifically engineered music track to help people reset their listening habits and get into the right mindset to discover new music this festival season. Produced by DJ Adriano Desire in collaboration with music psychologist Dr. Ruth Herbert, the three-minute track – called “Track Rest” – is designed to reset listeners’ habits and is inspired by the sounds and rhythms of the British railway.
Explaining the science behind the sounds, Dr. Herbert said: “This research proves that modern consumers of music crave deeper moments of discovery, but choice paralysis stops us discovering new sounds. The ‘Track Rest’ is grounded in audiological science, utilising natural white-noise frequencies to ease brain tension. By cleansing the listener’s musical palate over a three-minute span, we are quite literally priming the brain to welcome and enjoy new audio patterns for when they arrive at their festival or gig – and your train journey there is the perfect time to do this.”
Festivals and Train Journeys Key to Discovery
The study also found that 41% haven’t listened to an album in full in the past year, and 8% said they never have. While many are happy with what they currently listen to, 65% said they want to listen to new music – but 16% claimed a lack of time was the biggest barrier. Festivals continue to play a vital role, with 17% saying they are more likely to discover new music when attending one. The OnePoll.com study also found that 43% of festival-goers will travel by train. During the journey, 32% will listen to artists they’ll see at the festival, 19% will plan who to see, and 36% said they are more likely to listen to new records on the train than on other transport.
DJ Pete Tong and National Rail Weigh In
As part of the launch, National Rail also worked with DJ Pete Tong MBE, who said: “The way we interact with music has fundamentally shifted, and it’s easy to let an algorithm do all the thinking for you, or rely on that one playlist of favourite songs, keeping you stuck replaying the same safe tracks. Train journeys offer a beautiful, rare window of time to completely switch off, reset your mind, and seek out something new. Whether you’re discovering a brilliant opening act on the way to a stadium gig or sharing a playlist with friends on the carriage home, the journey is where the experience really begins.”
A National Rail spokesperson said: “A great summer music experience shouldn’t just start when you enter the venue – it begins the moment you start your journey. Train travel gives people valuable time back, creating the perfect opportunity to switch off, reset, and discover something new. Whether you’re planning your setlist for the weekend or discovering a new artist along the way, the train journey is where the experience really begins.”
