Humans listening to music on the Tube
'Sorry, I had my headphones on'
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
There's something insulating and shield-like about listening to music on public transport. It creates a sort of audial carapace around you, blocking out the screech of wheel against track, the oppressiveness of your diminished personal space and the troubles of the day ahead/behind.
There the commuter stands, somnambulatory, rocking gently with the motion of the train, staring into the middle distance numbly; a totally passive exterior.
But what's going on in their heads? We asked photographer Alan Schaller to capture these familiar commuting scenes, and find out simply what each subject was listening to at the time…
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments