The Magic of Live Music
By: Jennifer Macdonald
Tags: Music, Entertainment, The Masterpiece, Happiness, Concerts

The Atmosphere

Watching a live-stream concert online is fun, but it’s not remotely the same atmosphere you experience when you attend a show in person.

The lights, the pyrotechnics, the large video screens, the confetti — none of these things can be experienced at home.

There is also unique energy in the environment that can’t be captured or recreated online. It stems from hundreds or thousands of fans all in one space, experiencing the show together.

It creates a special kind of energy that is hard to explain, but nothing else compares.

Keith Urban performing in a shower of confetti for the concert finale. (Photo by author)

The Crowd

I am not a fan of crowds in general, but concert crowds are different. There is nothing quite like the experience of singing along to your favorite song in unison with thousands of other people.

That moment when the artist stops singing and lets the audience take over is nothing short of magical.

I remember belting out Living on a Prayer at the top of my lungs with the rest of the audience while Bon Jovi stood on the stage in awe.

It never gets old, for the musicians or us.

Looking around the arena, you see nothing but smiles, dancing, and pure happiness. You all love the same thing, and there is something powerful about sharing that love with a crowd that you can’t capture in other formats.

Bon Jovi entertaining the crowd. I wish I’d had a better camera. (Photo by author)

The Performances

Listening to a recorded song and hearing that same song in person are two completely different activities. Watching the artist pour their heart and soul into a performance is generally a much more emotional experience than listening to a CD.

Sometimes magic happens when you least expect it.

There are certain songs that I’m not a massive fan of when listening to the albums, but hearing those same songs live is an eye-opener.

Sometimes watching the artist perform a song live is enough to convert me into being a fan. It provides an entirely new connotation every time I hear the song afterward as well.

Jason Wade giving an emotional performance at a Lifehouse concert. (Photo by author)

The Fun Factor

One of the best reasons to attend a live show in person is the most simplistic reason: it’s fun! When discussing the appeal of live music, we can’t underestimate the entertainment value.

Attending concerts in person is more fun than sitting at home listening to music or even watching a live-stream show.

It’s just a more satisfying experience listening to live music with numerous people and having the band in the same room.

Billy Moran and Rob Benedict having fun at a Louden Swain album release concert. (Photo by author)

Personal Moments

Almost every concert I’ve attended has left me with personal moments that I will cherish every time I think of them.

I remember the first time I made eye contact with the lead singer — it was a thrill like no other.

Grabbing an artist’s hand when they reach out to you, or even something as simple as hearing your favorite song live for the first time is other examples.

These are all uniquely personal moments that you can only obtain from attending a show in person.