My Experience with Live Music
By Randall Lopez
Live music brings a bundle of mixed feelings to the table. You can be filled with contentment hearing that song that makes you feel proud, or you can cry your eyes out shouting those lyrics that make you reminisce.
My first show was seeing the band Innerwave live at The Fox Theatre in Pomona. It was a spur of the moment decision that I made. I saw the poster for the event and told a couple of my friends about it, and they chose to come along with me.
The most important aspect that live music holds is the opportunity to share those feelings with the listeners that attend. I have met so many new people and have been able to bond over the feelings we shared about the songs we love. You make special memories with the strangers that go to express themselves just like you.
That is not to say that the crowd is always the best part. Sometimes it can be the worst. Show etiquette is very important to know when attending. The crowd has to look out for each other to keep the environment safe.
Dealing with a bad crowd can be brutal sometimes. People start trampling over each other when their favorite artists come onto the stage. I think my worst experience was having drinks thrown all over my friends and I. It really dampens the mood for the night.
That is one of the many concerns attendees usually come across. Another major concern is that going to shows can be pricey. That can be the case when seeing big bands at arenas, but there are some good alternatives.
Supporting local artists in your city can be a thrilling experience with a low cost of 10 to 20 dollars. I search for any random band playing at a nearby venue and leave a new fan most of the time. It is always good to branch out to different artists so that one can have more opportunities to see shows.
Sometimes your favorite artists go on tour, but they don't visit cities near you. While some see this as an obstacle, I see this as an opportunity for a road trip.
Recently, I came across a flier for a music festival called Kilby Block Party held in Utah. Despite the distance, I wanted to ensure I was able to experience my first music festival.
I ended up going with my dad, who was never a big fan of music. However, he thought the drive there would provide some nice scenery. My hope was for him to build a new love for music and I thought hearing it live would do that.
We waited in hot, sweaty crowds for hours, but everyone there was so kind and respectful to each other. The waiting will always pay off; the second the songs would start playing, everyone’s cares seem to melt away.
At the end of our weekend, my dad thanked me for inviting him. He said hearing those live performances opened up something for him. His perspective was changed by the strong feelings a live performance can bring.
Live performances have been around for ages. These bands and artists put out songs they pour their hearts into and hope people come sing along with them. Whether it be sold out stadiums or a show in someone’s backyard, there are always options to experience music live. I urge all of you to find an opportunity to feel the music yourselves.