For years now, I've been an avid country music listener. I love finding new artists to listen to and new songs to obsess over. But, I have to say one of my absolute favorite things to do is go to country concerts, and here’s why:
1. Tailgating
The majority of the country concerts I go to are over the summer at outdoor venues, which provide the best place for tailgating. Everyone comes together before the show to get excited for it. There’s always different games going on, like corn hole or kan jam. And, everyone is always barbecuing food, because who really wants to pay the expensive prices inside the venue? Every few cars or so, someone is playing country music. The entire parking lot is filled with country fans playing games, eating food, enjoying music, and each other’s company until the start of the show.
2. The Fans
Country music fans are some of the best music fans out there. I especially love singing and dancing on the crowded lawn during shows with all my friends and everyone around us. It’s not a successful concert if I haven’t sung at the top of my lungs with thousands of other people doing the exact same thing. Country music fans take pride in the music they love, and it's evident at the concerts.
3. The Artists
It's pretty obvious that country singers love what they’re doing. They love putting on a good show for their fans, and will commit 100% to providing the best entertainment, all the way from the opening acts to the headliner. It also always amazes me when some of the artists are willing to do meet-and-greets with their fans. I love that they like meeting their fans, and they seem truly grateful. Being from Massachusetts, you wouldn’t expect a lot of love from the country artists, because we’re not the target market. But, over recent years, country music has grown increasingly popular in the area. The artists realize this, and they know how dedicated Boston fans are. They always give special shout outs to the city during concerts. Kenny Chesney has an especially close bond with Boston fans; he always saves the last shows of his tour for Gillette Stadium.
4. The Music
The main reason for going to any concert is to hear the music you love played live, right? Country music has been my favorite to listen to since I was in middle school. So many of the songs have powerful meanings behind them. There are the slow, sad songs, but there are also the fun, upbeat ones. Country concerts always promise a variety. Concerts provide singers the opportunity to create more of a bond with their fans over the songs in a somewhat intimate, personal setting. I can almost guarantee at one point or another in a concert, the artist will stop singing and let the crowd take it over. It's always a powerful moment and something I love taking part in.
5. The Atmosphere
Overall, all of these elements contribute to the atmosphere of country concerts. It's this atmosphere that I miss instantly once the concert is over, and this atmosphere that I long to return to when the cold winter seems never ending. Country concerts are fun. They’re rowdy. And, there is no other place I would rather spend a summer night than singing my heart out at a country concert.
