“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane, by those who could not hear the Music.”
Do you remember your first concert? I certainly do!! I was in High School, and it was the summer of 1978. Bruce Springsteen was promoting his album Darkness on the Edge of Town. I had never been to a concert before. I didn’t know anything about Springsteen … his concert was …, to say the least… spectacular!!
I was absolutely blown away by his energy and dedication to his band and his fans.
Springsteen once described his concerts as “part-circus, part-political rally, part spiritual meeting, [and] part dance party.” I still remember feeling utterly moved by this artist that I had never seen before. The entire room was singing “Born in the USA,” and as I looked around at the thousands of attendees rocking and singing, I felt this life-changing event and the importance of music!
Many young adults will be making their first-concert memories this summer. I see the excitement and joy in their eyes as they post social media updates and anticipate these special events. Concert music experiences provide social and community magic!
Two main themes help explain the attraction of concerts and the significance of attendance: Experience and Engagement. Lets explore - Experience! Concerts are rich with engaging experiences. One recent tour featured an Artist performing his older songs with a hologram of his younger self. Audiences watched in awe as he rapped and sang along to music from a decade ago. At another concert, young fans trade friendship bracelets with fans double their age. They are euphoric, singing along with their idol in the company of tens and thousands of their new besties.
Engagement also matters. What does engagement do? Our society requires frequent positive community participation, which creates psychological resiliency against the forces that could potentially pull us apart. Attending concerts has life-long benefits, mainly an increased sense of belonging and improved well-being.
Concert audiences experience feelings of profound togetherness and share a love for something that facilitates a path to connection.
Concert attendance serves as a public affirmation of one’s sense of self. Music is a way to help formulate identities and deepen specific emotional needs, which are critical, especially to the development of teens.
At concerts, individual meaningful moments converge into collective joy, and people bond over creative expression and the sheer excitement of being alive together. Music has that unique power!
That first concert in the Summer of 78’ with Springsteen helped me understand my deep need for music, experience, and engagement. Being in that room, with that crowd, helped the hopeful young girl in me feel that I belonged — that there was a place for me in the world.
This Summer there will be numerous concerts and crowds teemed with excitement and engagement, reminding us that constructive shared experiences with music are necessary for a solid and cohesive society. And the bottom line really is … without music and music education, there would be no Concerts! Imagine that!!