Think back to a time when you were fortunate enough to see one of your favorite bands live -- the excitement in the anticipation leading up to the event and how you rocked out and sang every word to every song during the concert and had an absolute blast. Then, think about how you felt after it was over, once you got home, or perhaps the following day; it is like the day after Christmas -- the excitement is gone, and there is nothing more to which to look forward, and all you have are pictures, photos, memories and the desire to see your favorite band again ASAP.
This feeling is known as post-concert depression, or PCD.
In the world of music/band fandoms, PCD is thrown around a lot. In an age in which it is possible to interact with your favorite artists via social media and to meet others who share the same love for your favorites, concerts are a huge deal. Moreover, being able to enjoy the opportunity of a meet-and-greet with your favorite artists is an incredible experience, especially if they are people who have impacted your life in extraordinary ways, not just because they sing your favorite songs.
For almost two years, I have been a part of such fandoms, particularly for small, not-yet-well-known-but-growing bands, and it has become one of the best aspects of my life. I have gotten to know and interact with so many incredible people who I have come to call friends and many of which I have been able to meet in person at a show. Being a follower of up-and-coming artists is unlike any other experience, especially in terms of fandoms. You get to watch these bands grow and gain well-deserved popularity, you help promote the hell out of them and their music, and you support them wherever and however you can. Furthermore, because these bands have a still-growing following, it is a lot easier for them to be more personal in their fan interactions, which makes the experience all the more enriching for both the artists and the fans. The artists appreciate getting to know the people who continue to support their dreams and allow them to do what they love, and the fans get to form a relationship with these artists whom they admire.
This being said, the PCD for these bands' shows is that much more profound. Unlike at large stadium/arena tours, these concerts are intimate, among your internet friends and provide free meet-and-greet after the show simply to just hang out with the artists, which further strengthens that relationship. Additionally, from interacting on social media and attending multiple shows, being recognized by your favorites is such an indescribable feeling -- and that is not simply on a "fangirl" level. If anything, it solidifies the relationship between the fan and the artist and shows the true appreciation that the artist has for their supporters and how meaningful all of it is to them.
As of writing this, just yesterday I attended a small performance of one of my favorite bands (The Weekend Riot), and had an experience just like that which I described above, and the PCD is real. Even though the band played about nine or 10 songs, and we hung out for at least an hour after the show, it all was over so fast. I just want to be back in that happy place -- singing and dancing along with my friends and our favorite band and being goofy and real after the show. I do not want to be sitting at my computer attempting to crank out assignments and papers as finals week approaches. Checking the notifications of your friends' photos, videos and tweets never helps either -- it only exaggerates the bittersweet feeling. All I want to do is watch my Snapchat story over and over again, repeatedly admire all of the photos from the night, posting several on Instagram and tweeting about the rest, and just wallow in my PCD as I wait for the next nearby tour date. The first day after is always the worst, because you are hit with the denial that the concert is over, but the PCD starts to fade within the next couple of days, and you start to again look forward to the next time you get to see your friends perform.
