The announcement drops. The link is posted. The group tweets it. You can finally see them live because they are coming to your hometown and nothing else in this life matters. What will you wear? What will they play? Does life get any better than this?

In an age where most sources of music are digital; raw, uncensored, messy music can be hard to come by. Sure, a group may sound good on their album, but even I would sound amazing if I had a team of editors for my voice. Hearing a musician perform live is the true test of their ability, and your dedication as a fan. You are surrounded by people who are there for the same reason as you. They love and appreciate the same art that you do. No matter what your taste in music is, a concert will feel like home to you.

You may think that a punk-rock concert is full of preteens and their moms, that a country concert is full of drunk hillbillies, or that a pop concert is full of wanna-be teens; but being there, in the element, all those bad feelings wash away.

First, there's the openers. Yes, they can leave much to be desired, but sometimes they can be the next big thing. For example, I saw Panic! At The Disco last summer, and when their openers told us to chant along with them, "shut up and dance with me," I was skeptical. Now, I'm proud I was there to witness Walk the Moon before they were a house-name band.

Second, there's the anticipation of the band or singer you're there to see coming on. Undoubtedly, the venue is playing all of the same songs from the radio and you and your best friend are jumping around and trying to predict what they'll play.

Third, the lights go out. Need I say more?

Then, you're singing along, heart and soul, to every song you love along with thousands of people that feel the same way you do; alive. In this moment, there's nothing you know better than the words you've been screaming alone in your car on your drive home.

When the show ends, you're tired, you're hungry, and you're absolutely certain that you have just witnessed the best experience that has ever happened to you.