Groove Armada to headline exclusive over-50s club night

Groove Armada to headline exclusive over-50s club night Generation X is refusing to retire from the dancefloor, with a fifth of over-50s now enjoying more nights out than they did 30 years ago, as Specsavers launches a new event night with Groove Armada. One in five over-50s are hitting the town more frequently now than they did three decades ago, according to new research. A poll of 1,500 over-50s found that Generation X, who grew up during the rave culture of the late 80s and 90s, are still going strong, with 75% continuing to frequent venues featuring live music, including nightclubs, bars, and gigs. Over-50s attending nightlife events are drawn to the very sounds that defined their youth, from house, acid house, techno, and trance to disco and club classics. Meanwhile, four in 10 (38%) said they'd love to see their favourite 80s and 90s artists perform live once more. Nearly half (46%) look back fondly on their most cherished memories being made on the dancefloor. More than a quarter (27%) said live music and nightlife remain a core part of their identity, while 22% credit music with shaping who they are today. Specsavers has launched The Testlist, the first club guestlist unlocked by a three-minute online hearing screener, exclusively for the over-50s across the UK and Ireland. Iconic musicians Groove Armada – who have experienced hearing challenges firsthand – will headline the first Testlist music event with an intimate DJ set at London's Phonox on Thursday 15th October. Their legendary anthem Superstylin' celebrates its 25th anniversary this year – hailed as "a perfect soundtrack to a generation that refuses to retire from the dancefloor." Tom Findlay from Groove Armada said: "We've been blessed to spend 30 years in the music scene, and nothing compares to that feeling of being in a crowd with sound so powerful you can feel it in your bones. "Our generation was the first to rave and they're still on the dancefloor now. We put our ears to very good use and were way too busy having fun to think about the cost of it. "I've experienced hearing loss and occasionally wear a hearing device, so I can really relate to this campaign." Andy Cato from Groove Armada commented: "People put off getting their hearing checked but they do want to get on the guestlist. "That's where The Testlist comes into its own. And we are very proud to be part of that." More than four in 10 (42%) feel their generation doesn't receive enough recognition for spearheading the UK's rave scene, according to OnePoll.com figures. Additionally, 19% are firmly of the opinion that age shouldn't force them to stop, yet 27% of those who have noticed a decline in their hearing say these difficulties have cut down how frequently they attend live music events. Large numbers have suffered ringing in their ears (42%), muffled hearing (22%), and temporary hearing loss (11%) following nights out. Despite decades of partying alongside towering sound systems and thundering bass lines, 38% currently take no preventative measures whatsoever to safeguard their hearing at live music events. The findings reveal a clear appetite for change, with 22% of respondents saying they'd be more likely to visit a venue if it was designed with their generation in mind, while 88% confirmed that safe sound levels are important to them. As a supporter of the 'Listen for Life' campaign — a groundbreaking healthy hearing initiative for the music industry championed by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) — the Testlist event aims to give fans the finest listening experience without exceeding safe noise limits. Sonam Sehemby, Specsavers hearing expert, said: "Hearing loss often develops gradually, making it easy to miss. "In fact, according to The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), nearly half of people aged 50 and over experience some degree of hearing loss, yet NHS data tells us people wait around 10 years before seeking help. "Our free online hearing screener takes just a few minutes and is a simple first step. We're hoping to encourage more music fans to check their hearing, so they can continue enjoying the artists they love exactly as they were meant to sound."