Retail therapy patients excluded, very few people enjoy spending money. After working long, hard hours, a sort of ‘Mr. Krabs’ complex kicks in, and watching those intrinsically worthless pieces of paper disappear feels like the loss of a loved one. So, when the time comes to part ways, why do millions each year look to concerts to deplete their bank accounts, rather than something tangible and permanent? A live musical performance seldom lasts more than two hours, and attendees come away with nothing more than hyper-zoomed videos, only the best of which earn bragging rights on social media. Yet, despite this seeming lack of of long-term reward, a concert manages to provide satisfaction much deeper than any material item could; and after years and an unfortunate amount of money lost to live music, I have only begun to be able to effectively articulate a reason why.

Perspective took shape after attending two polar opposite shows in two consecutive weeks: Willie Nelson- an 83-year-old country music icon- and Death Grips- a brutally abrasive experimental hip hop group. While sonically incomparable, the function of these performances reveals a shared spirit- the spirit that makes live music so attractive.

The former went along in concordance with how one might imagine a gathering to listen to the endearing voice of an American icon. A pleasant group of middle-aged patriots beamed with pride as they exclaimed the hooks to anthems of their youth; loved ones were embraced under clearly visible stars on a mild September night; the Pledge of Allegiance was recited free of kneelers; etc.. Despite the list of cliches that a more cynical music enthusiast might rattle off in protest of such an event, there was an undeniably palpable sense of shared nostalgia and unity in the amphitheater. On a weekday with countless to-do’s looming overhead, thousands were firmly focused on receiving the strained, yet earnest music being presented to them. No matter how callous to the sensibilities of simple life, one could not help but be moved by the clever and plain assessments of daily living- perhaps out of a longing for life to truly be so simple as a song. And for that hour and a half, simple it was, until the lights went up and the crowd left carrying with them little celebrations of all things admirable.

The latter, on the other hand, sought to confront life’s struggles head-on through unapologetic lamentation. Following nearly two hours of burning anticipation underscored by a perpetually-ascending Shepard’s tone, MC Ride- the frontman of Death Grips- took the stage with his velociraptor-like presence. Legions swarmed forward, creating a swirling sea of suppressed anger in which it was nearly impossible to stay afloat. Shoes were lost; friends were lost; and somewhere in that struggle for survival in the face of uncontrolled chaos, a sense of purity was reached. Liberated by sonic thrashing, no more were members of the crowd bound to the confines of reputation, as the only interaction with each new person was a collision of bodies. Whether one was an active aggressor, or merely allowing the hellish human pinball machine to run its course, all shared the purpose of releasing the baggage carried with them through the door, and defying any sense of victimhood. As each fallen mosher was promptly helped up by all those around him, and the 50+ abandoned shoes were held in the air to be retrieved by their sore-footed owners at the end of the show, it dawned on me that never had I seen such a display of shared humanity amongst total strangers.

The immediate atmosphere at these two concerts could not have been more different, but their purpose was the same: to heal those broken by their daily lives with a shared human experience. Whether the catharsis comes through idealistic longing, release of bitterness, or simply distracting entertainment, all live music has the ability to transform the listener through a unique sense of unity amongst those in attendance. Life temporarily ceases during the performance, and when it resumes, the concert attendee steps back in recharged with a fresh outlook and drive to continue. While many cringe with guilt as they click ‘purchase’ on a pair of tickets that can’t improve their appearance, or lighten the load of mundane daily tasks, few go on to regret this decision. Their newfound sense of companionship and motivation is truly, as the cliche goes, priceless.

 

MDO encourages each of its readers to attend a live performance by an artist that inspires them! To make finding one easier: here is a list of upcoming concerts in the area