by Ella Thomas, staff writer
My dad introduced music into my life immediately; he would take me to music classes and was always playing his favorite albums around the house. Before COVID he would go out to concerts at least twice a month. I didn’t understand how he could devote so much time and money for an experience that only lasts a few hours. My perspective completely changed in 2018, when my parents brought me to a Lorde concert for my birthday.
I think my mom bought the tickets as more of a Christmas present for my dad since he was a bigger Lorde fan than I was, as I only knew a few songs. The show was at Oracle Arena which was the biggest venue I had been to. I didn’t have that high of expectations but when the lights went down and her opening song started playing, it blew my mind. Her set was so well designed and transported me to another place.
After that show, it became my goal to go to as many concerts as I possibly could. The atmosphere felt so welcoming, everybody there had a common love for the music. After I would leave a venue, I would get hit with what I can only describe as post concert depression. It’s the yearning I feel to be back in that moment but knew it could never be.
When an artist I love announces a tour, I do everything I can to get tickets. I’ve gone to the bathroom in the middle of class before when I knew tickets were going on sale to try and buy tickets.
The pandemic hasn’t slowed down my desire to go to concerts, but instead has made it 10 times stronger. Of the 20+ concerts I’ve attended, 15 of them have been in the past 8 months.
My first show after concerts returned was the Bottlerock Festival, where I got to see my favorite band, MUNA perform. I was on the barricade and being that close to my favorite people felt very healing. The audience and the artists were all so happy to be there after so long of not being able to be in that environment, and you can feel it in the crowd. It reinforced my love for being at shows, and I started to think about the concert industry as a career.
What I’ve realized from all of my concert-going is that my dream job would be in concert organizing, since I would be able to connect directly with artists and the audience to help create a welcoming atmosphere, which to me is the most important part of the concert experience. Another top choice is touring management, which would give me the opportunity to travel for work.
I was nervous to tell my dad about my aspirations because he cares a lot about my future, as he’s always wanted me to have a stable job. But he’s been so supportive of my dreams and is looking forward to getting to go to shows for free.
