As an avid concert attendee, I’ve had my fair share of dealing with those who don’t understand my hobby. It’s always been a hard concept to explain to friends, family, and often strangers who walk by you outside the venue and say, “what’s everyone waiting for?” I can agree; the idea of it all is a little bit strange, paying sometimes hundreds of dollars to see the same person/people multiple nights in a row while those around you scream and thrash violently in circles. But for those who are just like me (and I know you're out there!), the whole concert experience is more than just the lights, the sounds and the money seemingly gone in seconds. It's about the memories, the friendships, and the time spent doing something you love.

I can confidently say I met some of my best friends through concerts. Concerts are such an easy way to make friends; you already know you have something in common! Without the shows I attend regularly, I might have never met the great people in my life and be the person I currently am.

Shows can quickly become second homes. I can name tons of venues in my local area I consider another home for me and my friends. The music scene you are in, regardless of the genre, quickly becomes its own family and it's how many people find themselves. You are put into an environment where people from thousands of different backgrounds and internal issues throw all caution to the wind and let themselves go. It's a liberating feeling, being surrounded by so much positive energy and feeling as though for a moment everything will be okay.

So please, for the sake of all of us, don't bash the concert goer. We all have our hobbies, our quirks, our characteristics that make us unique. Just because you don't understand something that brings someone else joy does not give you the right to mock them. We're all just trying to find some color in this black and white world (pun completely intended), and for some concerts and shows are their entire color spectrum.