Ongoing History: Music-loving sewer bacteria

March 27, 2023 Alan Cross 0 Comments 0 min read

It’s obvious to say that music can have an affect on the way we feel, including how well we work. The right music can make almost any job speed by. And lest you think that this is just for humans, think again.

Back in 2010, a German company installed a sound system in the sewers of Sydney, Australia, that replicated the acoustics of a concert hall. They found that music makes the bacteria that eat, uh, bio-solids happier and work faster. And they seemed to be fans of opera.

Mozart’s The Magic Flute and The Marriage of Figaro work the best on these poop-eating little guys–but the company is open to any suggestions as to what kinds of music will make them even happier.

So…any suggestions?

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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