An awe-inspiring event aims to discover if the Nightingale's famous song and the combination of music and nature can help people with chronic pain.
Taking place on the evening of May 21 in the Nightingale's natural habitat, University of Exeter researchers will study a group of volunteers living with chronic pain to see if their experience listening to and connecting with nature, and in particular birdsong, can help alleviate their symptoms.
The event is a collaboration between the University and Singing With Nightingales, founded by Mercury Prize-nominated folk singer Sam Lee. For just eight weeks in Spring when the Nightingales arrive in the UK from Sub-Saharan Africa, Singing With Nightingales welcome small audiences to hear the bird's song alongside musicians.
This specially adapted version of the experience is part of an ongoing research project from Dr Sam Hughes of the University of Exeter called Brainwaves & Birdsong. The project explores how natural environments affect the brain, with particular focus on chronic pain and the potential therapeutic role of sound and immersion in nature.
Dr Sam Hughes said: "Our previous research has shown that immersive experiences in nature can influence the way the brain processes pain. However, we still know surprisingly little about how real-world, deeply engaging nature experiences shape the lived experience of chronic pain – a condition affecting around 28 million people in the UK. Through Singing with Nightingales, we hope to better understand how immersive natural environments may support psychosocial approaches to chronic pain management by exploring how experiences of awe, stress reduction and psychological restoration in nature may influence nature connectedness and the experience of pain."
Singing With Nightingales founder Sam Lee said: "Nature, and birdsong especially, has been one of the most healing forces in my life. Being able to assess how that impact can support others and measure its impact is a hugely exciting proposition I'm proud to get to collaborate on with Exeter Uni and the inspired Dr Sam Hughes."
Participants at the event will walk through the woods to hear the Nightingales, eat together in a circle around the campfire, and then witness the enchanting interaction between a skilled violinist and a Nightingale as they each shape their song around the other.
Participants will complete thorough questionnaires and follow-up interviews over three months to understand if natural soundscapes, and specifically birdsong, can influence pain perception, emotional resilience, and overall wellbeing.
Singing With Nightingales Special: Brainwaves & Birdsong takes place on the evening of 21 May 2026 at Strawberry Hill, Bedfordshire, hosted by Nadia Shaikh with guest musician Simmy Singh.
