If you're someone who associates concerts with waiting in line for endless hours, being attacked by crazy fans, and constantly surrounded by sweaty people, and then suffering from extreme ear trauma, then you're absolutely correct. There are definitely a few cons to going to concerts, but I guarantee you that there are 10 times as many pros.
On April 9th of this year, I was able to attend a Mumford & Sons concert at Zephyr Stadium in New Orleans. After waiting in line for hours with one of my best friends, we somehow made it to the front row of the show after sprinting towards the stage. As expected, there were nothing but sweaty fans around us, and we left the concert with our ears ringing. Thankfully, I found it easy to look past these minor cons, because seeing one of my favorite bands live and right in front of me was an unforgettable experience.
A month later, on May 8th, I went to a concert at Champions Square in New Orleans for a band called The 1975. I went with three of my very good friends from school who were extremely eager to attend since they have been huge fans of The 1975 for years now. I agreed to go because of the wonderful time I had seeing Mumford & Sons and had a very good feeling about seeing The 1975, although I wasn't a very big fan. At first, I was going to help them secure a spot in line, to be their photographer, and, of course, to help any one of them if they fainted from the excitement of seeing their favorite band live. When the gates were finally opened and we made it in, all of us ran for our lives, and we managed to make it to the front row. At that moment, I witnessed my three friends crying tears of joy because they were about to see the band they have loved for years up close and personal, and I couldn't have been happier for them. For the duration of the concert, I had the greatest time watching my friends cry at every song they played, and was introduced to a genuinely talented band that was able to create an overall intimate atmosphere with their fans. Not to mention the fact that the lead singer, Matty Healy, had stopped the entire show a couple of times to get security to help a few of his fainting fans. By the end of the concert, The 1975 had earned themselves a brand new fan.
As I sit here writing this article, I'm listening to The 1975 and reminiscing on the great memories I made at their concert. I was definitely exhausted when I left, with my ears ringing and extremely tired of being close to sweaty people, but these annoyances are what help to make the concert experience unforgettable.
Concerts give you a chance to be surrounded by people who love music as much as you do, and making new friends is made easy. Along with getting to see your favorite artists perform live, concerts are one of the best ways to show support for artists. You support them through the money you spend on the ticket and merchandise you purchase at the venue, plus you being there to cheer them on is a great way to show how much you love them. Usually a concert has an opening act, which is someone your favorite band or artist believes is talented enough to tour with them, but they may be an artist or band you've never heard of. This gives you a chance to expand your horizons and start listening to new music, which happens to be the same music your favorite artist likes.
Often, an artist's live music is better than their recorded music because there are times when artists don't stick to the original score by singing more or less, including more instruments, and you get to see them jam to their own music. You also can't forget about the main reason you attend a concert - the indescribable feeling that comes with the moment your favorite song is played live, right in front of you.
Concerts also allow you to connect with artists, because there are multiple instances where they'll stop and talk to the crowd, wave, smile or even throw their own belongings into the sea of people.
Best of all, if you're like me and walk into a concert without being the biggest fan, there's a strong possibility you'll fall in love with the artist and walk out a bigger fan than you ever thought you'd be.
