Concerts are one of those awesome experiences that you love, but actually experience a lot less than you wish you could. Whether its classical, rock, metal, or pop, fans go to shows to have a good time and see a favorite artist live. After going to various concerts, I've come to realize that part of the fun in concerts is listening to the audience cheer and sing along the songs that you love!
I remember my first concert was to see Snow Patrol, an Irish alternative rock band. I was an inexperienced concert attendee at the time, so I arrived an hour before, only to see an impossible long line already in place. It also didn't help that I was (and still am) short, so with my luck, I was stuck behind some incredibly lengthy people! I learned, however, that there are really nice people at concerts, who are willing to stand behind us shorties, so that they didn't block our view. When the concert began, I was ecstatic to see one of my favorite bands live, but also slightly awestruck at how much fun the people around me were having singing along and jumping around. I began to see the magic in sharing experiences with a room full of strangers, who at the end of the night, would leave having made the same unforgettable memories as me! This experience was something that I would never forget, and ultimately try to get a lot more of.
Another concert quality which speaks to my soul is how artists interact with their audience. Recently, I went to see Muse at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, and I was amazed at how much they are willing to please (and appease) their fans! It was a chilly night with rapidly dropping temperatures, and eager ticket-holders standing outside were getting even more jittery and anxious since the show had been pushed two hours back. The dreary weather and having to wait in line for more than four hours definitely tested the patience of even the most loyal fans. The mood worsened when a last minute announcement was made that the opening act, Phantogram, were forced to cancel. This, however, is when Muse stepped in. All the fans waiting in line were suddenly presented with free drinks and pizza, courtesy of the band, and a promise to play a rarely-heard song live! Once again, the happy and eager mood was restored.
Despite the incredibly late start, Muse did not disappoint. The band apologized for the delay multiple times throughout the night but it was their passion and willingness to give their performance their all, which gave many fans an unforgettable experience.
They played 18 songs, with the special song being "Citizen Erased". As an extra treat, fans were also able to see the drummer,throwing a pie at the bassist's face (as it was his birthday). The fans were elated, and many left the venue exclaimed that they could now say things like: "Muse got me pizza," "the wait was worthwhile" and "it was an amazing concert!"
For me, concerts are something that will always be worth it. While I may not be able to go to as many as I would like, each one I get to attend is an experience all its own. I enjoy the atmosphere, the fellow concertgoers, and of course the music itself. But most of all, I enjoy watching songs come to life through the audience. If you have never been to a concert, add it to your bucket list of things to do in the near future. I promise you won't regret it.
