It's that time of year again. The sun is hot, the drinks are cold and the music is loud. Summer means tan lines and good times. It means it's concert season again. The loud music, the crowds, and being able to see your favorite artist in person is what its all about. However, some people shy away on these experiences for various reasons. Personally, I didn't go to concerts for a long time. My first concert was in 2007 to see the Jonas Brothers (yikes) and didn't go to see another one until 2014. Now, I have seen Brantley Gilbert, Zac Brown Band (twice), Little Big Town, Florida Georgia Line, and Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas, and I will be seeing Dan + Shay in August as well. Through high school, I saw a lot of my classmates going to concerts and wishing I could go, but was never able to. Now that I have the money and the means to get there, it is one of my favorite things to do during the summer. If there's a concert you want to go to, DO IT. Here are the reasons you should go if you can:
1. Concerts can get a little pricey, but it's worth it.
Seeing your favorite artist on stage, being able to sing along with them, knowing they are only a few feet in front of you is an experience that is priceless. Money will ALWAYS earn itself back (as long as you have a job). Your summer memories can't. If you find out that a bigger artist is coming to your hometown, check out tickets. For my Horseheads/Big Flats/Corning people, we all know TAG's is a great place to find good artists at decent prices.
2. Concerts offer once in a lifetime experiences and lifetime memories.
If you got up close and personal, or if you had to buy the nosebleed seats way in the back, there is nothing like hearing and seeing a song performed live. Every element of the song is brought forward and you learn to appreciate the song in a new light. From then on, when you hear that song, I guarantee you will think about the way the artist performed.
3. Your favorite artist won't tour forever.
If you find out that your favorite band or singer is coming within driving distance, GO! Don't think twice. There is a chance that they could never come back and then you would regret not going. Not only that, but this specific tour with these specific songs is never going to happen again. I mean it when I say it's once in a lifetime.
4. Traveling is half the fun.
Hopping in the car with your best friend (as pictured at Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas) / significant other and blaring the artists music down the highway all the way to the concert is one of the best parts about going to the concert. It gets you hyped up on the way there and you get to recap everything that happened on the way home.
5. Most importantly, you have fun while exposing yourself.
Each concert has its own personality, its own flair, and its own experience. Even if you go to the same band twice (like I did with the Zac Brown Band), it is a totally different experience.
When you get older, wouldn't you rather look back and say, "Wow, I really had fun" rather than "Wow, I really wish I had done that"?
