To My Fellow Concert Goers,
Concerts are a way of life for us. We love every minute of the concert experience. From getting the tickets to pushing towards the front of the stage, we are always ready for what is next. We laugh. We cry. We scream our favorite lyrics so much that our voice is gone the next day. We relate to artists and bands who somehow know everything we are feeling inside even though we have never talked before. We make new friends at each show. We experience the true gift that is live music. We leave our worries at the door and simply live for the moment.
Attending concerts is so vital, especially now. My heart breaks for the people who were affected in Manchester this past month. No one deserves to have their life taken so unexpectedly in a place that is supposed to be safe. People should not have to be fearful for their life when they walk into a concert venue. Security is supposed to ease everyones' minds as they walk into the doors on the way to their seats. The only thing you should have to worry about at a concert is how you are going to try and use the bathroom before everyone and their mom shows up in line at the same time.
We cannot bring back our lost concert brothers and sisters, but we can honor them by continuing to attend concerts without fear. They will never be forgotten, and tragedies like these cannot deter us from enjoying the things we love most. It has been incredible to see so many people rally together in the wake of this attack. There are so many good people in this world, and despite the actions of a small few, I will continue to see the best in people.
Concerts will always continue to happen. However, they need you there. Every ticket bought is another that is proving to any other potential attacker that you are not afraid. Attacks like this may happen again, but we will not be moved. We cannot prevent another attack from happening, but we can stand strong together.
So, lift your hands in the air. Put on the light from your phone flashlight and wave it side-to-side. Sing all of the lyrics even if you aren't sure you are even singing it right. There has not been a better time to show your love of music. The world is watching to see how we are going to react to this attack. Show them that we will keep on attending concerts. I personally am going to at least three more concerts this summer alone, and I fully intend on living them out to the fullest extent.
To my fellow concert goers, live fully. Scream loud, enjoy the music, and keep seeing your favorite artists. We have no idea when our lives are going to end, and it is better to live without fear than to give attackers like those the satisfaction of seeing you scared.