It’s the night of a concert. As you approach the venue you can hear the muffled melodies of the opening band penetrating through the atmosphere, soundwaves serenading your eardrums. You glance down at your ticket stub, confirming you’re in the right place, and now, it’s time. The moment your foot and the venue floor connect, a hum emits from the amps that reverberates through your body and soul, your hearing adjusts to the thick layer of sound dissipating throughout the room, and your eyes adjust to the lighting (or lack thereof), signifying that you are now one with the music. Being inducted into the tribe of rhythm, you notice those around you and feel a sense of ecstasy combined with connectedness, fully feeling the power of good tunes.
“The most recent [band] I went to see was Yes in concert,” Lorelei Zamore (11) said. “And then a little bit before that [I went to] a local show, like a block party. Yes was super interesting because I grew up listening to [them] and it was so cool to see [them] on stage.”
By giving fans the opportunity to experience music they love in a more immersive environment, concerts serve to crank emotional intensity up to eleven. Being enveloped in the feelings of the musician can pull performers and attendees into a shared mindset, a phenomenon that goes beyond hitting play on a music streaming platform or spinning some vinyl.
“[Concerts] could make me feel out of this world, having the best time of my life to still having the best time of my life, but I’m also thinking about how sad the music is,” Sam Noriega (12) said. “You reflect on what you love about the music that you’re listening to. For Ethel Cain, a lot of her lyrics are very strong and intimate. I think reflecting on it in [The Caverns] was definitely an out of the world experience. You definitely get a stronger connection to the artist and with the music when you’re attending a concert.”
Despite taking center stage, musical performances aren’t the only form of artistry on display at concerts. Set designers work to make elaborate, appealing backdrops and props for the artist to enhance the experience of fans.
“Billie Eilish definitely had one of the most memorable stages,” Noriega said. “It was a circle, so you could just run around with her. I was in the pit, so me and my friend, we just ran around following Billie Eilish. And you could dance on the floor, it was amazing.”
Whether it be pushing and shoving, spinning and twirling or hooting and hollering, crowd interaction fuels the environment of a concert. The release of inhibition, allowing feelings to flow from one’s fingertips as they sing and dance, is an aspect special to musical events.
“[Concerts are] like an escape,” Ash Forbes (10) said. “[They’re] a lot of fun. I get to hang out with my friends, and I love moshing. It’s fun and it’s what gets a show exciting. [It adds] presence. [When I mosh] sometimes [I’m] angry, sometimes I’m excited.”
Concerts are popular group activities, as the unifying embrace of music fortifies camaraderie between people. A couple gently swaying along to a slow tune, a group of friends shouting the lyrics of their favorite songs to each other, and even strangers bumping and jumping around in the pit together go to show how concerts are ultimately a bonding experience for those who attend.
“The main reason I started going to concerts is because of my sister,” Forbes said. “She got me into going to shows, and I’m gonna carry on that legacy for her.”
In an age where human contact is often a second choice, concerts remind people how crucial it is to relate with others, and how important it is to live in the moment. It doesn’t have to be a grandiose event, as long as there’s music to be enjoyed, interconnectedness will soon follow.
“I think [concerts have] always been a place for people to connect with artists and music,” Zamore said. “Especially nowadays when there’s a bit more of a disconnect with music, because concerts are not affordable, they’re not accessible, and we see it mainly on our phones in short form 20-second, probably less, snippets. And so I think it’s important to attend these shows where they’re playing full one-hour sets of great music and [to be] able to connect and humanize [these entities].”