Concerts

I love listening to music. There are many songs that create different feelings in me, there are songs that make me cry, songs that make me smile, songs that make me feel calm.

But nothing quite compares to live music. Seeing a band is a different experience then listening to the songs on my iPod, at home, or in the car.

When I listen to music, it's usually just me. Sometimes a few friends, or my family, but it's not usually a lot of people.

But seeing a band live, you get to see the musicians up close (well, if you're lucky enough to get good seats or be in the mosh pit). Almost more important than that, at least to me, is that when I see a band live, I'm in the same room (to use the term loosely) as several (sometimes hundreds, often thousands) of people who are here for the exact same reason I am: to see this band live. These are people who I have never met, and who I may or may not have lots in common with. But there is one thing I have in common with fans at a concert, and that is that we have all listened to this music before. And while other fans at the show may have had different experiences listening to the music before, during the show, everyone is experiencing the same thing at the same time.

Some people don't like going to concerts because the bands "aren't good live". It's true that many bands- and especially singers- don't sound as good live (because, um, there are no "do-overs", perfect acoustics, or extensive editing live), but if you ask me, the point of going to a concert isn't just to listen to the music live; it's about seeing the band and experiencing the music with other people.

If you ask me, it's a pretty cool experience.