5 reasons you should go to concerts

Think about the last concert you went to. You probably remember every moment. The perfect outfit you wore under those fluorescent lights, the rush of adrenaline you felt, and the collective screaming of the crowd when the artist came on stage. You sing your heart out to every lyric, feel confetti in your hair and soreness in your calves from dancing so much. 

There’s no feeling quite like being at a concert. I recently attended Lorde’s Ultrasound World tour. After years of fangirling and patiently waiting for her to release new music, I finally got to see the “prettier Jesus” herself perform live. I also got lucky enough to get in the front row. It was a truly spiritual feeling.

I feel very fortunate for all of my concert experiences.

Just a few weeks before the Lorde concert, I saw Renee Rapp from the barricade for the second time. Last summer, I saw some of my favorite artists at a summer music festival. And two years ago, I saw my hero, Taylor Swift, at the legendary Eras Tour. I’ve even attended my fair share of free local concerts in my hometown and basement punk shows in my college town.

Each concert I go to fills me with inexplicable joy. The magic of live music never wears off. It is addictive, like a drug. Here are five reasons I believe everyone should buy concert tickets more often:

1. You build community.

When you’re surrounded by other fans of the artist performing at concerts, you feel a sense of belonging and connectedness. Despite being strangers, you are all united by your love of an artist. There is beauty in that.

Every concert I go to, I meet amazing new people. We share our excitement and predictions on what surprise songs the artist may play. Even if you go to a concert alone, chances are you will meet a friend there. And what better way to start a friendship than bonding over similar music tastes?

2. Listening to music improves your mental health. 

Have you ever listened to music to relax? It works. Research proves that music can reduce stress levels and boost dopamine levels. Attending concerts maximize this. You scream out the lyrics to your favorite songs and feel great while doing so. It is therapeutic.

3. You have something to look forward to. 

Concert day feels sort of like Christmas day. You wake up excited and eager. This is the day you have been waiting and planning for. You get to wear a cute outfit, sing your heart out, and see your favorite artist with your own two eyes. I always have a countdown to the concert day, so even if my day-to-day life feels boring, I know I have something amazing coming soon.

4. Concerts make you a cooler person. 

You know that person who always posts on their Instagram story about a concert they’re at? On a random Tuesday, they skip class for a concert they got last-minute tickets for. They radiate cool energy.

Even if you aren’t in the pit for a concert, just being there makes you cool. Appreciating live music and supporting your favorite singers is something to be proud of. Never let anyone tell you that  fangirling is embarrassing. If you like an artist, you should embrace this interest.

5. They offer escapism.

When you attend a concert, it transports you to a new world. For the hour or two that the concert lasts, your personal issues don’t matter – rather, they are not present in your mind. While concert-going is not a true form of therapy, it is an effective, temporary fix.

If you’re looking for a sign to buy those concert tickets you’ve had your eye on, go for it! Share this with someone you want to go to a concert with.