I think I shall be investing my time in
concerts!!
1. Moving Around and Dancing
-There is nothing more enjoyable than dancing and singing your favorite songs by your favorite band while seeing them live. You will sing every word at the top of your lungs and dance like no one is watching. The upside? Exercise! You'll be burning calories in no time! Studies show that you can burn 400+ calories dancing at concerts!!
2. Stress Reduction
-Everyone has stressors in their life. Those people or things that just make you mad and angry. Musical events such as concerts reduce the amount of cortisol, known as the "stress hormone" from being released. According to a study from Imperial College in London, 117 applicants for an experiment involving listening to wind instruments noted that their blood pressure, heart rate were lower, their breathing rate reduced, thus inducing a calm feeling
3. Mood changer
-Everyone loves live music events. Did you know this can uplift your mood? It can put a smile on your face listening to those classic rock or metal guitars, the pounding drums, that deep soulful sound of the bass and other instruments on stage
4. Come Together/Join Together
-Not to reference a Beatles or Who song, but going to concerts allows a feeling of togetherness. You and hundreds of other fans can join together to sing the songs. Everyone is there to see their favorite musician and nothing makes you feel more warm and fuzzy inside than knowing that everyone is there with the same level of dedication
5. Constant concerts
-You don't have to hang around the big name venues. There are always concerts in parks going on, concerts at small, intimate venues going on. Heck, there is usually even music coming from people busking on the street
6. Improve your well-being
-According to a study made by Deakin University in Australia in 2016, studies found that people who attended concerts regularly are happier in their every day lives. It improves their mental health and that people who attended concerts with a boyfriend/girlfriend had improved relationships
7. Discover new bands
-Odds are high that when you go to see a band perform, they are going to have at least 1-2 support acts on prior. These are invaluable because you can discover new music from there. There is an undying and unlimited amount of music out there, just waiting to find new fans. Each day a group of people somewhere are forming bands hoping to get found. Support acts are great because they might be similar to the band you're there to see but their own take on things. For example, if you go to see Led Zeppelin and they have Greta Van Fleet opening, that would be interesting. It would be old school Zeppelin with new school Zeppelin because Greta Van Fleet's front man sounds like Robert Plant. Or going to see Iron Maiden and the opening acts being As Lions/The Raven Age/Lauren Harris. You get legendary Iron Maiden with soon to be legendary The Raven Age (like Metallica only British and with more aggression in their music for those unfamiliar with the name), Lauren Harris (like Joan Jett except British and hard rock instead of punk), As Lions (very melodic metal)
-And what's even better is that if you attend a concert and you're an aspiring musician yourself, like a beginner bassist/drummer/guitarist/vocalist, you can do some research into the various types of equipment out there, like Fender Precision Bass guitars/Fender Stratocasters, Ludwig/Paiste/Pearl drums and cymbals, etc.
8. You're My Inspiration
-Not to be pun-y and quote a Chicago song, but sometimes concerts provide that extra little push of inspiration for some to take up an instrument, such as the bass, guitar, drums, vocals, keyboard, etc. If you've ever wanted to play an instrument, attend a concert and it might just give you that get up and go to start down the wonderful path to music!!
9. Nonstop energy
-The chemical for happiness is dopamine. When you go to a concert, that chemical is just flat out flooding your body. You get giddy, excited, you can feel goosebumps and a general electric feeling of excitement
10. Pain killer
-Not to quote a Judas Priest song, but studies show that concerts and live music events can produce an anesthetic effect on you, thus reducing pain. This works because the chemicals responsible for happiness, dopamine and endorphins, are released, thus blocking pain
11. Reflection
-When you hear a song on your music device or in your car, it will take you back to when you first heard that song
12. Appreciation
-We all have stressers in our life. Those concerts are not only for going to see your favorite musician, they are also a chance to just forget about life for a while and have fun
13. Meet and Greets
-Some bands do meet and greets. This is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet your favorite musicians. Most if not all people would give their left arm to do so (I know I would with Judas Priest and Iron Maiden). Sometimes what makes it better is that if the band you are meeting and greeting has gotten you through some tough times in your life. Being able to get a photograph or an autograph from that musician is something you'll cherish forever!
14. Affordable Yet Fun
-While a vacation may be fun, it can also be expensive. So can a majority of concerts. Music festivals can also be expensive. You can have fun and check out local music events without destroying your bank account in the process
15. Meet new people
-Everywhere there are opportunities to meet new people. Concerts just so happen to be a big benefit for this one. When you're at a concert, you are surrounded by thousands of people already have at least one thing similar to you. So it's not rocket science to strike up a conversation and meet new people, make new friends.
16. Escape!
-While this is similar to the appreciation factor, doing the same thing day in and day out can really wear you down. Sometimes all you need is some loud music, some loud guitar, rumbling drums, calming bass and some good singing to bring you back to life
17. Something to look forward to
-Everyone looks forward to concerts, whether it be a big name artist, a tribute band or a local event. There is so much excitement and fun in planning things like this. Like if a concert you want to attend is out of town, there's the fun (and slight stress) of booking a hotel if it takes too long to get there, getting tickets, transportation, directions to the venue, etc. This excitement just keeps building and building until the event comes and then you're like a chain reaction approaching critical mass-you're ready to blow!!
18. The Nostalgia Effect
-There is an effect in science called the Nostalgia Effect. This occurs when you think back on memories that were enjoyable from your past and they become more and more enjoyable when you think about them.
19. A very unique experience
-Concerts are sometimes once-in-a-lifetime. You may or may never see that musician again. They are truly once-in-a-lifetime. It's very rare and very lucky to be able to see the same musician more than once. I can at least say that I've seen a few bands more than once. Deep Purple in 2017 and 2018 on their Infinite tour, both times at Riverbend Music Center. Judas Priest in 2015 at Rock on the Range on their 2015 Redeemer of Souls tour and in 2018 on their Firepower tour at Riverbend Music Center. Def Leppard in 2014 on their Kiss of Def tour at Riverbend Music Center and in 2018 on their anniversary tour at US Bank Arena. Kiss in 2014 on their Kiss of Def tour at Riverbend Music Center and in 2019 on their End of the Road tour at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH.
20. A personal connection with the artist
-Every DVD, whether it's of a film or concert or even tour, will provide little insights into the bands, the meanings behind the songs or whatever else. And...let's not forget. That before those musicians became household names, they were fans, just like you, raging and jamming to the musician whose concert they were attending. They were fans once upon a time, getting excited about going to see
their favorite musician in concert.
21. Social Connections getting upgraded
-Odds are high that when you go to a concert, you'll be going with friends or family (I know for a fact that sounds exactly like me! I go with family to concerts!). This is a great way to get families involved with each other and it's safe. Plus, people watching alone is worth it! It's also safer and more exciting than a night at home playing board games or a night at the bar.
22. Ticket stubs!!
-Not every band will issue ticket stubs. Some have recently been going with electronic tickets or e-tickets. Where you need a phone with internet access to have a special code to get you in. I speak like this because this is exactly what I had to do to get me and family in to see Iron Maiden in August. Anyway, ticket stubs from concerts are a special keepsake that should be cherished. We all like to have those little reminders that we went to see such and such in concert and the memories with it. You can frame them, put them in a binder or a shoebox. No matter what, keep every little reminder of the concerts you went to in addition to the multitude of souvenirs you probably bought that night.
