Musician presence and its effects on physiological and psychological well-being in live versus livestreamed concerts

Listening to music, whether live or prerecorded, can benefit health and well-being. Studies have shown that music can alleviate pain and anxiety, improve emotional well-being, and strengthen social connectedness. While research on live music is promising, direct comparisons with recorded settings-specifically in relation to the physical co-presence of performing musicians-are limited. In this randomized controlled pilot study (n = 130), we examined the effects of live music concerts (classical and pop) compared to a simultaneous cinematic livestream, in a parallel design. Psychological and physiological well-being were assessed through self-reported questionnaires and physiological measures, including heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). In the live condition, participants reported greater appreciation for the music, felt more moved by the music as indicated by higher kama muta scores, and reported higher arousal and valence compared to the livestream condition. Using linear mixed models, we found that only the mean HR was significantly higher in the live group, whereas other HRV parameters did not show statistically significant differences. In conclusion, the "liveness"-in terms of the musicians being physical present-emerges as an important aspect shaping audience's subjective experiences and physiological responses, particularly HR.