Yes, many times. Even now I'm over 40 I still love to attend music events that often lead to dancing. A recent example is DJ Greg Wilson at Joshua Brookes here in Manchester, UK. This was a particularly lively event with barely anyone standing still. I think the fact that the audience know Greg will play a wide range of eclectic genres, and they've come specifically because Greg's music selections are designed to fill the dance floor, not to fullfil the criteria of a scene of clique. Often the members of the crowd are older, over 40, and so there's not so much pressure to look cool or impress friends or a crush. This all leads to a judgement free, friendly atmosphere which lends itself to movement and expression. I personally also enjoy that the tempo was slightly slower than most dance music, meaning I could dance for longer without getting tired. I think maybe it's the crowd or audience that is the main factor in whether there will be dancing or not. A crowd who attend an event mostly to look cool or be seen in the right places, will be too uptight to get loose and dance. Conversely a crowd who attend knowing they're there for a good time, and they'll be free to express themselves in a judgement free environment will be more likely to dance.
During Dia del Mariachi in Mexico City, I ran a private driver service just two blocks from where a 92-year-old mariachi violinist crowd-surfed over a thousand people in Plaza Garibaldi. That night taught me more about emotional momentum than any book on marketing. It wasn't just the live music, with dozens of groups taking turns playing. It was the amount of shared memory. Families from different neighborhoods sang verses together, strangers danced in the street, and our drivers ended up being both dance partners and amateur photographers. The convergence of locals, tourists, and musicians made it electric because they were all deeply invested in a tradition that felt both old and new. We had more than 320 rides that night, which is twice as many as on a normal Saturday, but not a single complaint or cancellation. That kind of energy doesn't just make people want to buy; it also makes stories that stick to your brand.
Yes! One local event that stands out was a community street festival that featured a live funk band followed by a DJ spinning global beats. The event took place outdoors in a pedestrian-only zone, with string lights overhead, food trucks lining the street, and families, friends, and couples filling the space. What made the atmosphere so lively wasn't just the music (though that was electric)—it was the sense of togetherness. The band got everyone clapping and singing along, and when the DJ took over, people of all ages were dancing in the street. The spontaneity, the diversity of the crowd, and the shared joy of the moment turned an ordinary evening into something unforgettable. It was a reminder that great music and good energy can turn any public space into a celebration.