Life doesn't always go your way. Everyone has problems, admittedly or not. Not everyone will agree with your perspectives or views on every matter that is important to you. Despite it all, live music still manages to bring us together and unite us all despite different backgrounds, world views, problems, opinions, races and ethnicities, and origins. It provides a safe space for us to slowly dissipate into a wholly new entity acting and bonding as one; allowing us to forget our problems and fully live in the moment with no concern of what is going on in the outside world.

The anticipation of whether or not your favorite song is going to be played, the excitement when your favorite bands play the first chord of the night, the surrealness of looking around at an entire venue simultaneously singing the words of the same song as you-this passion for music brings us together; it allows us to truly live in the moment and recognize that we are not alone.

The second you walk into a concert venue, the energy in the room is practically tangible. It reminds you that everyone is there for the same reason and shares your same passion in a performer, and it’s such a riveting and inspiring experience. It doesn't matter what political preference you are or how old you are because concerts are purely about people coming together for the love of music, and that is such a beautiful sentiment. You get to leave the chaos of the outside world behind and frantically sing your hearts out to songs that have gotten you through your best and worst times.

I have personally worked a concert venue, and avidly attended numerous concerts after my passion in music was sparked during high school because I cannot get enough of them. The concert environment is just so intoxicating where you really can't get enough since live music can really put you at such a natural high; and in my opinion, concerts brings so much more happiness than material things you can purchase. I have become completely content with standing in the middle of a room squished to death by hundreds of other people and sweating like no other because the shared euphoria and raw emotions of everyone around you make the experience of listening to music so much more meaningful and exciting than just listening to it online or on your phone. The sore throat, ringing in your ears, and physical soreness you feel post-concert are all somehow worth it and manage to emphasize the success of the night because you have truly let go and lost yourself in the music.

On top of it all, you get to discover new music and new artists that you wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't gone to concerts in the first place. Many people disregard opening acts that they have never heard of before, but often if you are willing to listen, you can find something you may truly love.

So, go to as many concerts as you can. Invest in the experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. You will not regret it.