As the confetti fell to the ground and the stage lights faded it began to occur to me that the next several days would be some of the toughest days of my life. It was over. Adele was off the stage and her voice of gold was no longer serenading me.
PCD, more commonly known as Post Concert Depression, is a real struggle and one that is felt by many after witnessing one of the best musical performances ever given. It’s incredibly difficult to go from being mere feet away from your favorite artist to miles, states and even continents apart. Listed below are the seven stages everyone experiences with Post Concert Depression.
1. The Immediate Shock:
You’re still in the building of where the concert was held. Your ears are ringing, not because of the excessive screams from other fans, but because of the silence that now eerily fills the room.
2. The Walk To The Car:
This walk is usually spent talking about how amazing the concert was. Everything is discussed from the wardrobe changes, dance numbers and songs sung. At this point, you’re still in a state of excitement from even attending the concert.
3. The Next Morning:
You spend minutes, even hours, trying to come up with the perfect caption for that banging picture you took at the concert. Perhaps it’s you at the venue, the artist on stage, or if you’re lucky, an image of you and the artist together.
4. The First Time You Hear Their Song On The Radio Post-Concert:
Not only do you feel an overwhelming sense of nostalgia after just witnessing it be performed live, but you are struck with sudden sadness. It’s at this point that you realize the radio-edited version is nowhere near as fantastic as the live version.
5. The Shower:
We all have that one song, the song that is our “go to shower ballad.” For me, it’s “Make You Feel My Love,” the Adele version. The first shower I took after the concert I started belting the moving words of this classic, and a tear fell down my cheek. It occurred to me that I would never be able to perform it as perfectly and effortlessly as the queen herself did.
6. The Album:
For the first time since the concert ended, you sit down and listen to the artist’s best album. As you sit there and hum along with some of your favorite tunes you reminisce on seeing them be performed live. Not only do you feel joy, you feel pride and excitement for witnessing the song in person.
7. The Smile:
Perhaps it comes after several days, maybe even weeks, but eventually you will return to a sense of normalcy and happiness. You will no longer feel sad at the thought you aren’t hearing the artist live every day and you realize that hearing a recording of the artist will suffice.
We’ve all been there and know just how real the post concert depression can be. I can’t say it will be easy, but I can promise that you will make it through this difficult time.
PS: I wrote this while suffering from PCD after seeing my musical idol, Adele, perform live at Madison Square Garden, so believe me when I say I understand.
