Rising darts star Charlie Manby has sparked a fascinating debate, suggesting that subtle background music could enhance the famously silent Players Championship events. Unlike the roaring crowds of televised tournaments, these ‘floor tournaments’ are played in near-monastic quiet, a stark contrast Manby finds “different” after big stage events. His idea, which proposes gentle, ambient sounds rather than loud anthems, challenges a long-standing tradition and could potentially make the professional darting environment more engaging for players and perhaps even future fans.
The Unseen World of Professional Darts
For most darts fans, the image of professional play involves packed arenas, booming walk-on music, and an electrifying atmosphere. However, there’s a lesser-known side to the sport: the Players Championship events, often called ‘floor tournaments’. These are the proving grounds where 128 Tour Card holders compete, largely out of the public eye. And here’s the crucial difference: they are remarkably silent.
Imagine a large sports hall, typically behind closed doors. Only players, a single guest each, and essential personnel are present. Within this expansive space, sixteen official match boards are set up, each carefully partitioned to create individual playing zones. While a low murmur of conversation might drift from the communal tables, the atmosphere within the actual playing areas is intensely focused and quiet.
Key characteristics of Players Championship events:
- Closed-door events: No public spectators, only Tour Card holders and limited guests.
- Multiple boards: Up to sixteen matches happen simultaneously in a large hall.
- Partitioned playing zones: Each board is separated by panels, creating a private space for players.
- Strict silence: Beyond the referee’s calls and brief exchanges between players, there are no crowd reactions, no celebrations, and certainly no loud noises. Any disruption is met with a swift request to leave.
Charlie Manby’s Call for a Soundtrack
It’s this profound silence that prompted rising star Charlie Manby to voice an intriguing idea. After competing in front of 3,000 people at Alexandra Palace, he found the quiet of the Players Championship “different.” When asked about introducing background music, Manby was receptive:
“You are allowed one guest per person and it is silent as well. Coming straight off a crowd of 3,000 people at Alexandra Palace, it was different.”
The suggestion isn’t for blaring rock anthems or stadium-filling tracks. Instead, the concept is for subtle, ambient background music – think of the gentle, almost unnoticeable tunes you might hear in a supermarket, designed to create a pleasant atmosphere without being distracting. Andy Goldstein of TalkSPORT, who first raised the idea, cited examples like nine-ball pool and even Wimbledon (outside Centre Court) where music subtly enhances the environment.
Manby elaborated on his own preference:
“Maybe, yeah, possibly. It is definitely something people might like. If I am practising at home, I will always have something on in the background. I can’t practise in silence.”
While he acknowledges that the current silent environment allows players to perform, he clearly thrives on a different energy:
“The room is not entirely silent, but there is not much noise going on. It is just like a constant little whisper from everyone… But I like the big stage events. I think it brings the best out of me.”
Tradition vs. Innovation: A Darts Debate
The idea of music permeating a Players Championship event, even subtly, is a significant departure from tradition. These tournaments have long been characterized by a purist, almost monastic simplicity. They are stripped of the showmanship, pyrotechnics, and crowd interaction synonymous with televised majors. It’s about raw talent and focus, with the only sounds being the darts hitting the board and the referee’s voice.
Introducing music would undoubtedly spark a debate. One can easily imagine the reaction of some of the sport’s more traditional, ‘old-school’ players. Figures like Gary Anderson, known for their focus and preference for minimal distractions, might be less than enthusiastic about such an innovation.
However, the sport is constantly evolving. Perhaps younger players, like Manby, who are accustomed to practicing with music, would find it beneficial. It might also be an idea better suited for developmental tours, where new ideas can be trialed before potentially being introduced to the main Pro Tour.
Ultimately, while music is an integral part of the spectacle at televised major events, once the referee calls “game on,” the only accompaniment is the crowd’s energy. For the silent battlegrounds of the Players Championship, the question remains: could a gentle soundtrack truly enhance the game, or would it simply disrupt a cherished tradition of pure, unadulterated focus?
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
