31 Oct The Importance of Live Music
Original Article Found On: Beat Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
Author: Bethanie Law (Facebook)
I’m hoping that everybody reading this has been to at least one live show in their time. If not, what the hell do you do with your time? Because mine is taken up by earning money for gig tickets, buying gig tickets, waiting for gig tickets to arrive, and going to gigs. My life revolves around it. If I were to list every band or artist that I have seen live, it could be well over 100. Since I went to my first gig on October 27th, 2010 (it was The Blackout at the Bristol O2 Academy), I’ve never stopped going to gigs.
My bosses at work would get sick of me asking to have days off for gigs. “Another one, who is it this time?” they’d always ask. But when I told them, nine times out of ten they had absolutely no idea who I was talking about. It didn’t matter to me though.
For me, live shows are a haven. They’re a safe place. Everyone is there for the same reason; because they love music. And that’s beautiful. Something about the way everybody sings along, dances, moshes, tries to get the lead singer’s attention… It’s just the quickest and easiest pain relief to me. In those few hours that you’re caught up in the music of one of your favourite artists, you forget about all the shit going on in your life.
And that brings me onto one of the main points of my post. Live music is a therapeutic experience for many, including myself. That one song you relate to, perhaps cry along to at night when no one else is around? When you hear it live, it’s a whole other emotional experience. That song, those people who make you feel like you’re not alone are right in front of you. They’re real people. They’re connecting with you in a way that no electronic track can. This is real.
I remember the first time this happened to me. Several songs make me cry and make me feel something, but this particular experience is one I’ll never forget.
I went to see my favourite band. It had taken me years to finally see them because I had never had the money, or they weren’t touring close enough, or the tickets sold out before I could even refresh my webpage… But finally, Biffy Clyro announced a one off show in London, and I had managed to get tickets.
About halfway through, Simon brings out his acoustic guitar. I’m thinking to myself, “Oh shit. This is it.” He started to sing Machines. Now, this song has been a favourite of mine for a long time. I used to listen to it at 3am when I couldn’t sleep and the world didn’t make sense and I had never felt more alone. Just me, Simon and his guitar. And the second he started to play that song, it felt like it was just me and him in the whole room, as if every word was meant for me.
I can’t describe the feeling with any word other than euphoric. Every emotion I felt on those lonely nights at 3am were bubbling at the surface and validated right there and then. That night, I wasn’t alone.
I’m not the only person in the world who has experienced this. Thousands upon thousands of people — kids, teens, adults and elders — have all felt that same feeling. Live music creates such an unbreakable connection between so many people at one moment. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world to me.
Something to think of though, is how all these artists start out, and the very first live shows of their career. It’s how you get your name heard, and teach people about your music. But sadly, less and less people are interested in these small shows, meaning more and more bands are breaking up because they just can’t finance their dream, and more and more small venues are closing because no one is around to play them anymore. It’s a vicious cycle. If I am to ask you one favour in this post, it’s this; PLEASE support local bands and venues.
You could find your new favourite band, the next big thing, at one of these shows. Pay attention to the little guys. You could help get their career off to a decent start. Go to their shows, tweet about them, talk about them, listen to them at full blast in the car whilst cruising through your town centre. And while you’re doing all of that, you’re helping to keep small venues open, and helping people keep their business’ alive.
My favourite independent venue in Bristol, The Fleece, has faced closure so many times. They’ve struggled to keep their business afloat in the last 5 years or so, and it breaks my heart. I have had so many good times there. I’ve seen bands that grew and grew after appearing there. They have old gig posters stuck up above the bar for the bands that have played their and made it big. Both Biffy Clyro and Muse have played that tiny little bar. If people continue to support local bands and small bands playing at these venues, who knows what the future brings…
When talking about the importance of live music, I’d like to touch on the horrific acts of terrorism committed at shows in recent years. First, the Bataclan theatre in 2015, and most recently at the Manchester Arena in May.
At both of those shows, people went to see artists they love, only to be attacked, injured, and killed at what should have been such a safe and loving place to be. Of course, my condolences to those who lost their lives and loved ones on those horrible nights.
But what struck me was the aftermath. The band Eagles of Death Metal, who were playing at the Bataclan the night of the attack, had the most incredible message afterwards. They were not afraid, and neither should anyone else be. What happened at their show changed their lives, but they didn’t let it stop them. In fact, at Reading Festival 2016, I had the pleasure of seeing them play the main stage. They talked about resilience and love, and how important it was that we don’t let their hateful ways win.
And then, we look at Ariana Grande, and the aftermath of the Manchester attack. She was heartbroken, and understandably so. Children were murdered that night. Innocent children. But she used that same message of love and resilience to bring a city in mourning together for an even bigger live show in response to the terror attack. Manchester showed they weren’t afraid, and what the attack had done was simply bring them closer together in love and remembrance. Ariana helped raise millions that night.
It’s ironic that they tried to take away our music and our fun, but they just lit a fire underneath it instead, and fueled an entire movement. Live music did that. People did that. Love did that.
Incredible.
So when people make fun of you for going to see someone you love live, remember what you are a part of. Live music is just as important now as it ever has been. The beauty and emotion of these shows is still able to capture our hearts in ways nothing else can.
I, for one, will never stop going to gigs.