Music: one of the most powerful things to bring people together since the beginning of time. With so much darkness in our current world, music is a light that so many of us run toward. It is evident that music itself has immensely altered over the years, and although there is a multitude of genres, the evolution of the popular music that tops the charts and headlines the lineups every few years has a different sound each time.
For decades, people have lined up for hours and spent hundreds just to see their favorite singer or band perform in person. Not much has changed in that regard, (aside from the fact that "waiting" now means sitting in front of our computers on the loading page). Regardless, we still show our dedication and eagerness to attend these events and listen to exactly what we want to hear.
For me, concerts and music festivals are something to look forward to. The anticipation of knowing that you're getting out of town for the weekend and taking a break from real life with your favorite people to see your favorite artists is an escape in itself. It's more than just something to do, it's an experience that is different each time and something that you can't return to the store. Your first music festival is truly one-of-a-kind. No matter the genre, if it is what you love then it will be something you never forget
Don't do it for the clothes, the Instagrams, Snapchats or the bragging rights. Do it because there is something about standing next to your best friends in a crowd that go on for miles around you, everyone on the same page and all there for the same reason, that somehow gets us on the same high. Race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, hometown and whatever else may divide us in the outside world suddenly become invisible within the grounds of the event. All 100,000+ people dancing and jumping and screaming the songs at the same pace makes us forget about everything else going on in our stressful lives, and we catch ourselves in that moment thinking about how we wouldn't want to be anywhere else but right then and there.
This doesn't just apply to today's rendition of music festivals, but the same thing goes for The Beatle's concerts, Bob Marley shows and Lynyrd Skynyrd performances back before our time, (unlucky for us). These memories are what stay with people and have them leaving the event sad that it's over, but google searching when and where the next one will be. The happiest people are those who are broke because of experiences, not things. Purses, clothes, shoes and eating out places are things we all unnecessarily spend our money on that make us happy, let's be real. But the memories and stories you will have to tell are what will put a smile on your face later.
And as much as you can hate on the "basic Coachella goers" and the "EDC rave-freaks," these annual experiences and so many more are what some people live for, and you don't truly get it until you've done it.
