Anticipation

Why music trips make you twice as happy

It often starts with a brief moment. I'm sitting at the kitchen table on a rainy September morning, my cup of tea steaming, and suddenly my thoughts wander elsewhere. I hear a few bars of music, and suddenly I'm no longer here, but there: on a stage, in a foreign city, surrounded by an audience that is just as excited as I am. Anticipation. That tingling feeling that makes everything easier.

Hawaii Hula dreams in my head

I remember my first trip to Hawaii in 2002. Weeks before, I was excited and looking forward to it; inside, I was already on the unique volcanic islands. I saw the vastness, the light, the rainbows in my mind's eye, heard the sound of the waves and the guitar tones of Ray Kāne and Gabby Pahinui on CD, which sounded so sunny to me (yes, they were my daily companions back then). The CD cover read ‘Aloha from the island of dreams’. When I actually stood there, it was as if a long-familiar scene had unfolded before me. At Kona Airport (Big Island), I heard the same music coming from the loudspeakers in the arrivals hall. Several trips to Hawaii followed; experiencing traditional hula dances with singing at the crater rim of the Kīlauea volcano was one of many moving highlights. So this journey did not begin on the way there, but already with the anticipation and the music.

‘Town of Elves’ and ‘Elf Songs’ in Iceland

It was completely different in Iceland. Even before I flew there, I imagined what it would be like to listen to music in this rugged landscape. And indeed: in a small chapel surrounded by lava fields, a choir sang notes so fragile that I held my breath in awe. And exciting: just knowing that I was travelling towards this experience had given me goose bumps weeks before and prompted me to do some research: Erla Stefánsdóttir (1935 - 2015) was a piano teacher and author who was intensively involved with Iceland's Huldufólk (the ‘hidden people’). She advised on construction projects, published maps of suspected ‘elf dwellings’ and guided visitors through lava parks in Hafnarfjörður. I am the proud owner of one such map. Anyone who fancies a gentle, everyday dose of Icelandic folklore will find it in this park – ideal as a detour from Reykjavík.

A sea of lights – anticipation in New York

And then there's New York. Long before I took my seat at Radio City Music Hall for the first time, my anticipation had already been polished to a shine. Every Advent evening at home, every candle on the wreath made my heart beat faster. I knew that soon I would be sitting there, in the middle of the gigantic Radio City Music Hall, watching the Christmas Spectacular Show, with the Rockettes in the leading roles, fanfares and an atmosphere that cannot be described, only experienced. The special thing was that the joy grew with each passing day until it literally boiled over in the hall.

Anticipation is the greatest joy

Music trips combine two powerful sources of joy: the anticipation of a special concert and arriving at a place that feels good and may even be new.

That's probably what fascinates me so much about music trips: they not only give me the moment of the concert or the trip itself, but also a long run-up full of anticipation. Scientists call it ‘anticipatory pleasure’. Just thinking about an experience causes our brain to release dopamine, a kind of happiness to go, long before it actually happens. For me, this means that anticipation is not only the greatest joy, but also the most lasting.

And now?

This is precisely the feeling I want to give myself again and again. Not just once a year, but regularly, because it makes everyday life easier, because it lets me dream, because it is a gift I can give myself.

Four trips that can spark your anticipation now

Opera gala with Plácido Domingo on 18 January 2026 at the Vienna Konzerthaus

Plácido Domingo, the maestro who captivates entire auditoriums with his presence. Just the thought of hearing him at an opera gala makes me smile and fills me with pure anticipation.

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New Year's Eve in Dresden with ‘Ball im Savoy’ at the Staatsoperette

A a jazz operetta with tempo, wit and a pinch of irony. The anticipation begins just thinking about it.

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Hayato Sumino at the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg on 7 January 2026

A young pianist who combines classical and modern music. Just thinking about hearing these piano sounds in the grand hall makes me feel a sense of anticipation growing.

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Langnau Jazz Nights, Switzerland, 21 July – 25 July 2026

A jazz festival in the Emmental region, with sound checks, small stages and that incomparable blend of mountain scenery and music. My personal recommendation for anyone who loves proximity to the artists and intensity.

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If you feel like getting into the festive spirit today, you will find inspiration and the perfect trips here.