As I strut to campus blasting Fleetwood Mac through my headphones, after recently giving up the impulsive Nicks fringe I cut in, I think that I have a strong argument that music does indeed shape us. It has slipped into my wardrobe and my haircuts as I have delved deeper into an indie rabbit hole found in adolescence.

Recently, I attended The Waterfront’s weekly Saturday night ‘Meltdown’ event in Norwich town. Home of the indie, alt, rock scene in Norwich for the last few decades, I welcomed the mingling with self-expressive people who were all very unique and fun.

There is a common ground found in music that allows people to feel open and alive. It builds communities of people who think, speak and behave similarly. This can be a powerful tool for a positive mood and an outlet for connection.

I have bonded over music countless times with people and ended up best friends afterwards. There is a clear link between music taste and personality.

However, I am fond of most music types given the right time and open ear, so where does it lie with those of us who indulge in a ‘bit of everything’? Sure, we adopt personalities from music, just like we do any part of pop culture and media.

Yet, I would like to believe humans are more multifaceted than one sub-section of their interests. Different moods require different tasks, and we are constantly evolving.

Haley Williams comes to mind when thinking about a change of views. Her recent single ‘True Believer’ refers to the dangers of small-town southern mindset and the recent rise in white supremacy across America.

Whilst listening, it educated me on the term ‘strange fruit’. This term was first coined in Billie Holiday’s 1939 song of the same name, indicating the rolling power of music on pop culture and the spread of ideas.

Music is such a powerful tool for displaying messages; behind catchy tunes and addictive beats, we are laden withartists’ political and personal arguments.

Particularly in youth, music has such immense power in shaping how we perceive and think about the world around us. It has always been a forefront for ideas. I think back to this year’s Glastonbury when Kneecap were removed from the BBC’s broadcasting for their proPalestine display.

It would be untrue to say that the music we listen to does not have an impact on our belief systems. If you disagreed strongly with something, you would probably stop listening to it!

We base how we think about the world on the music we listen to. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe it will impact the way we behave.

With that being said, people tend to pull ideologies and personalities from other avenues, such as film or novels, leaving music as only part of what shapes us as people.

Photo Credits: Saffron Pennycooke