Caitlyn Lubas, a freshman at NYU Stern who plans to pursue music business, is an avid lover of concerts. In this interview, she shares the reasons behind her passion:
How many concerts have you been to?
I have a spreadsheet. Last night was my 103rd concert.
What was your first concert like and how did you fall in love with going to these events?
The Best of Both Worlds with Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana, and the Jonas Brothers opened for them. I fell in love with concerts because when you’re in a room with thousands of other fans screaming who all love and support the same person, you feel a sense of unity. I got into the whole concert scene more when I found a sense of community in it. When waiting in line for a few hours, you get to know the people you’re standing with – especially for Ed Sheeran concerts. It’s a great way to connect with people because it’s easy to build friendships off of having a shared passion for live music or a common artist.
What's your one favorite thing about concerts?
Experiencing a more personal connection with the artist. You can stream the music all you want but when the artists share stories about why they wrote the songs, it adds a more personal layer to the music; you understand the artist and music better. After you experience something live it has a deeper meaning for you.
How much money have you spent on tickets till date?
Over $8000. I got a lot of them for free actually!
Who's your favorite performer?
This is such a hard question. I'd say Ed Sheeran because I think it’s remarkable that he goes on stage by himself with just his guitar. It's cool that he can hold his own and control an entire stadium of 60,000 people. A performer has to be really talented to do that. Beyoncé is great too because she adds in the theatrical aspects like backup singers.
What inspired you to write a book about Ed Sheeran?
I happen to be in a good place with where I live and with opportunities. I have many Twitter followers, and many of the people I talked to would never have the chance to meet Ed because he doesn’t tour in their countries. I wanted to make a worldwide collaborative project where people could send me a word or phrase that reminded them of Ed. I compiled it into an "Edcyclopædia". It was a way to connect with people I had formed a relationship with over his music. It was really cool to have something published, give him a copy, and get a signed one too!
Would you ever travel to another country to see someone perform?
Oh yeah. If I had the money. I've traveled across the country to see Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and Bruno Mars.
Is there anything you like doing as much as going to concerts?
Probably just listening to music and spending time with friends.
What was your worst concert experience?
When someone punched me in the face during a Bastille concert. One person was trying to get closer to Dan [the lead singer] and we had a bit of a rift. Being front row is awesome but you can get pressed against the barrier when there’s thousands of other people trying to get up there too!
