Why I Am Addicted To Live Music
Anyone who reads my blog regularly will know I am a live music and festival junkie and go to as much as I physically can. I went to the standard few crappy pop shows when I was pre-16 (your Hear’say, Steps, S Club 7 etc) but it was in October 2006 when I was 16 that I went to my first ‘proper’ show which was Panic! At The Disco at Brixton Academy. Firstly it makes me so happy that it’s a band who are still around to this day, but it was a struggle to get my parents to allow me to go. My parents weren’t overly strict but the idea of me going into London alone to a show (especially in Brixton) filled them with dread. They only agreed on the pretense that they picked me up from the venue. For the next 6-9 months whenever I went to live music shows this was the deal I could only go if a parent would collect us from the venue itself.
When I turned 18 however things changed a lot. My parents relaxed a lot more and allowed me to go on my own which is when I started going to a lot of shows and by the time I was 19 and at university, I was going to a few shows a month. I loved the freedom which live music allowed me, I could head to a venue to meet like-minded people who loved the same band as me and sing-a-long at the top of my lungs to songs which I couldn’t get enough of.
My parents thought over time the novelty of shows would wear thin but this wasn’t the case and when I was 21 I started writing for online publications and the idea that I could go to shows without having to shell out the money allowed me to explore my musical tastes more. I no longer only had to go and see the bands I would fork out loads of money to see and I could expand my horizons and push myself out of my comfort zone to see bands I wouldn’t usually have. My career within the publications I wrote for expanded and now I’m at a point where yes I do buy some tickets if I don’t want to review a band or if I know I want to stand and certain venues will only give seated for press etc, but I do get a lot of tickets in exchange for photos or a review. A great deal for me.
I think the magic of live music is the experience, back when I was 16-19 yes I would queue to shows and want the front row or I would battle myself into the middle and lose myself in the motion and movement of the crowd. Now at 26 I chose to enjoy the show from the side/ further back/ the bar but it doesn’t change the magic of the music. Seeing hundreds (or thousands) of people singing along and seeing a band who have worked so hard achieve a dream is magic. I have been fortunate to see some of the most amazing shows, experience bands I never thought I would and be a part of music memories.
While I have started to tone down my shows to 3-5 a month (yes this is toned down) I can’t see myself ever not going to shows. I’ll be the one who looks like a parent without the child in tow, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you’ve been to a live music show what’s the best one you’ve been to?
23 responses to “Why I Am Addicted To Live Music”
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Rhian Westbury
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I think you get such an experience from live shows, from the stage production, set lists, the spontaneity and you get to be around others who are enjoying the same vibe as you.
Ahhh the joys of live music, such happy memories from when I was at uni and would go to live gigs at least once a month – it’s so much more than just the music; it’s the atmosphere, sharing the experience with others and knowing it’s completely unique.
I like all sorts of live music – from choral music, to full orchestra at the Liverpool Phil, to Status Quo (who are great live) and of course opera! All wonderful.
My husband loves going to live music and would go as often as you do if he could. I like the live music part but seriously can’t deal with the crowds so its only when I get given VIP tickets, corporate entertainment or something in a less crowded area that I’ll end up going.
I love going to live shows and I prefer standing where all the atmosphere is. I think two of my favourite shows have been Ed Sheeran gigs, one at Brixton and one at Hammersmith because they are small but intense. At Hammersmith he cut the music and sang without a mic, it was the most amazing thing and the way his voice just echoed through the place and everyone was silent will stay with me forever xx
There is something quite incredible about seeing a band or DJ live, I too absolutely love it and the more intimate the gig, the better x
3-5 shows a month is toned down? Wow, you’re addicted š I must agree with you – I LOVE the novelty of a live show
OMG live music is always the one! I don’t actually go to live gigs enough, I’ll listen on Spotify and never go. I made a pact with the hubby we’d try and go once a month to a little gig. Btw I did that pop stint you did too!
I miss seeing live music. I wanted to see Blue October the other day, but I just don’t want to risk it this late in pregnancy š
I used to go to live show years ago. Monsters of Rock at Donington was amazing and Aerosmith in Birmingham NEC. I was on the front row so close to Steve Tyler I was literally bulge level, when you consider he was wearing a red satin jumpsuit with nothing on underneath it was an eye popping experience!
I went to see Kate Bush on her last tour and it was incredible, other than that it has to be Oasis at the City of Manchester.
Wow, I’d have loved to see Kate Bush x
I’ve not been to see live music in ages its something i wish I did more often.
There is nothing quite like seeing live music! Its addictive the atmosphere, the sound everything!!
This makes a lot of sense! I’ve seen very few live shows. I wish I went to more when I was younger.
My mummy loves going to gigs too! As a family we went to 6 festivals this year so know that the ‘live music’ bug never goes away xx
I love going to concerts and festivals. Katy Perry is the best one I have ever been too, just amazing x
Not my sort of thing,love music but hate crowds and lots of people together! Enjoy though
I’m a big fan of concerts too! Music is way better live, I’ve seen Elton John and Peter Andre and they were both brilliant
I don’t blame your parents not wanting you to go to Brixton. I bet the gig was good though.
The memories from every concert is worth to treasure. At least your parents did not totally stop your love for attending festivals.
Nothing beats the vibe at a live concert. I just have one bone to pick with you though – S Club 7 were AWESOME! š x
I remember going to S Club 7 and steps, now several years later I’ms till obsessed with live music and will be one of those people who queue up for hours before a shiw starts to be as close to the front as I can be. I like seeing other people sharing this passion and you have some good shows on your list!