Why I Love Attending Concerts
I attended my first concert about two years ago. I was excited about it, I knew it was going to be fun. But I had no idea it would THAT FUN. I still remember walking out of the venue with a huge, involuntary smile on my face the whole way back. I wasn’t familiar with the phrase “concert-high” but when one of my friends used it to describe what I feeling, the term totally clicked. That’s exactly what it felt like. An overwhelming rush of joy that stayed with me for hours.
Since then, I’ve tried to go to as many concerts as I can. Another core memory of mine was when I saw Ed Sheeran perform live for the first time. It was unreal. His energy was just so infectious. Watching him in his element, having the time of his life, made me want to feel that kind of passion towards life too!
After those first few experiences, I started to reflect on what makes concerts so special for me. I mean, yes, the music, the energy, the vibe, all of that is amazing. But there’s something deeper. I think what I truly love about concerts is a sense of belonging I feel when I’m there.
Let me explain. I think front of concerts are a very different section from the back. At the back you have the people who’re there for a relaxed time, for soaking up good vibes, and enjoying music casually. Nothing wrong with that. But at the front you have the fanatics. The ones who’ve memorized the setlist, who know every lyric, every obscure bit of lore about the artist. People who’ve waited hours in line, traveled cities just to be there. I think these people are what make concerts so special for me.
When I went to my first concert, I had heard a couple of songs from the artist but I wasn’t that familiar with all their music. But I went through their entire set list, listened to it on repeat for days, and basically studied it like homework. I arrived hours early to get a good spot. I thought I would be the only one doing all this. I was so wrong. Beautifully, wonderfully wrong.
That’s when I realized there are others like me. People who care as deeply, who feel as intensely. I think one of the fundamental problems with our educational institutions is that you’re placed in random classrooms and told to find your place in groups that may never fully “get” you. And when you’re young you think those set of 40 people are the entire world. If you don’t fit in there, you’ll never fit in anywhere. But adulthood is nothing like that. Adulthood gives you the freedom to go out and find your people. People with same interests, people who’re “weird” in the same ways as you are.
For me, concerts are one of those places. Places which are a reminder that there are others like me. That I’m not different for caring too much. That I’m not alone in my obsession. And that’s why I love attending concerts. Not just for the music, but for that rare, beautiful feeling of being somewhere where I belong.