The first concert I ever went to was in 2011 when my mom took me to see my favorite band, Death Cab for Cutie. It was at the Verizon Wireless Ampitheater, and it was probably one of the best experiences of my life. Not only was I seeing my favorite band playing beautiful, live music, but I was surrounded with others who shared the same love and respect for the group as me.
My mom has a magnet on her fridge that looks like this:
It says, "You laugh at me for being different. I laugh at you for being the same." Meeting and conversing with other people who show the same interests as you creates a sense of belonging and erases a sense that you may feel alone. Live music performances create a gathering of people who share something awesome: the same taste in music.
After I went to that concert in 2011, I started getting more into the concert culture and submersing myself in that kind of atmosphere. Whether it was small bands in underground coffee shops or well-known groups at large venues, concerts are an oasis of music enjoyment and belonging. Essentially, I haven't felt like I have needed to conform to some cookie-cutter version of what everyone wants me to be. I don't have to change to belong because there are people who are the same kind of different as me who make me feel like I belong.
This past weekend I went to my first multi-day EDM festival in Atlanta. Shaky Beats had people coming from all over the United States to enjoy electronic DJ's push buttons and create artificial noises for several hours a day.
This video was made by my best friend Mandy Carneglia who joined me for three days of MARTA travel, fighting to the front row, and jumping up and down for hours on end to artists like ODESZA, Jai Wolf, Major Lazer, Cherub, and Big Gigantic. We met people who traveled from Ohio, South Dakota, Illinois, and of course, the general Atlanta area. Thousands of people gathered to sing and dance along to the same types of loved music. It was absolutely amazing and an experience in which everyone should partake. Whether it's intense EDM, indie alternative, screamo, or whatever kind of music you like, it's important to find your niche through the beautiful medium of music.