What makes the live music from yesterday so memorable? The emotion, the simplicity, and most of all the passion. Most great bands focused on making music for the people. A song from the 70’s filled a stadium and captured the hearts and attention of millions of fans. Phones were basically nonexistent at gigs. You where in the moment and captured all the bits and pieces of the melodies and lyrics in your mind. Once you digested the concert they would travel to your heart and remain there forever. When you look back on them driving to your eight to five job you think of those memories. You think of the song where you put your arm around your best mate and went mad. You think of the song when you got on your loves shoulder and screamed at the top of your lungs in hope for one of the band members to take a look at you. The difference between now and then isn’t the lack of attendance it is the lack of “momentism” as I like to call it (yes, it is a made up word so let me give you the definition: Being on your phone texting or on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook). Okay, pictures and video are alright if you get your favorite parts of a song to share with your friends! But when you film the entire concert and take pictures nonstop you lose the magic. I am a professional photographer, of course I love taking pictures at concerts (sometimes that is what I am paid to do), but if it is a band that I love, believe or not I try not to live through my camera lens. I soak it all in. In my mind it stays, for me, just for me. That little piece of a magic I treasure so deeply. Live music is essential in life. At a concert all your sense are alive. Your heart pounds at the beat and the adrenaline rush takes over your body. It seems like people today do not know how to attend an event without having to plaster it all over social media. This goes out to both the younger and older generation. I have seen plenty of older people scroll through their facebook timelines while at a concert, and well younger people just can’t put their phones away. We live in a generation of camera phones. That has also affected live music. Just think about it. The artist must get bothered over the fact that instead of seeing face screaming of excitement, vein marks on necks, and hands in the air- all they see are screens. I guess that’s how live entrainment rolls now. I suggest next time you are at a gig whether it’s a massive one or one with ten people in the crowd, try putting your phone down and soak in the moment just for you. Trust me you will thank me later!
-Yours Truly
Girl With The Bowie Jacket