In the last one hundred years, society has seen advancements in technology that has brought recorded music into homes, automobiles, and anywhere people bring a smartphone. Though this is a fantastic advancement in lifestyle and the ability to enjoy music in a diverse range of locations is valuable, there is nothing quite like the joy received from listening to live music. These prerecorded tracks can only bring so much of the “real” musical experience and may take something away in the process. Seeing your favorite songs played live by the musicians who wrote them, alongside others who share your love for the music, is something that you simply cannot get outside of the venue.
What Live Music Uniquely Delivers
Live music shows are immensely enjoyable social gatherings that provide us with an immersive experience that a record or MP3 file cannot deliver. What sets live music apart is the artist’s unpredictability as it unfolds throughout the show. There is spontaneity, eye contact, every note is never played quite the same. In a recorded track, you hear the music played the exact same way every time you listen. Every live performance is unique, and the musicians respond to you and the crowd as if there is a conversation happening. The actions of these live performances will bring you back to a time in your life when you first heard the songs, allowing you to relive the emotions of that era.
The Joy of Company
What truly makes live performances favorable over recordings is being able to feel these feelings and emotional rushes with other listeners. People have different ways of enjoying live music, such as singing along with fellow fans, holding up a lighter during a ballad, or maybe just kicking back and enjoying the therapeutic sensation of present musical tone flowing through your ears. But no matter how others enjoy it, you are all gaining incredible and memorable moments together, and that is something you cannot get anywhere else musically.
Beyond the Music
Live performances also allow you to have a visual dimension. When you listen to a recorded track, you have to rely on imagination to visualize who is playing the music, the musician’s facial expressions, where they are physically playing. With live music, you not only get all of that, but you also may get visual aids such as pyrotechnics, a light show, visual effects, and much more. The displayed setting enhances the musical experience and etches one of those timestamps in your life so that when you listen to a particular song years down the road, it will take you back to that day.
Conclusion
Taking the time and making an effort to attend a concert with countless numbers of people is an enormous positive element in life. Sharing this experience with hundreds or even thousands of other people makes you feel connected to them, the musicians, and the music. All of this is outstanding for your mental health and overall outlook on life. With that being said, put your headphones down and go enjoy live music once in a while. It is certainly something you will never regret, and you will cherish the memories for a lifetime.
