• Human connection is one of the best parts of attending a concert
• Your brain called: it wants to go listen to live music
• Listening to live music isn’t just good for you – it’s good for your city, too

The ground underneath my feet starts to vibrate when the countdown clock on the massive screen in front of us hits 13 seconds.

The last few bars of “You Don’t Own Me” are ringing in my head, a stark contrast to the amplifying shrieks surrounding me. Underneath it all, an ethereal instrumental is filling the stadium. I look around – people are grabbing their friends, jumping up and down, wiping tears from their eyes. 

I realize I’m crying, too. 

The countdown clock vanishes. It quiets, slightly. The air is thick with the anticipation that only listening to live music can bring. People are practically holding their breath. Then, through the speakers, we hear six words sung over the rising instrumental.

“It’s been a long time coming.”

The moment intensifies. Tears are streaming down my face. It’s uncontrollable, an almost out-of-body experience. Like that moment in Ratatouille when Remy plucks at Linguine’s hair, and his right arm jerks upward. 

This almost indescribable, electrifying moment happened while I was standing in the middle of The Eras Tour at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, in July 2023.

Beyond the bejeweled stratosphere 

My out-of-this-world concert experience at Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour was certainly unlike other live performances in a lot of ways – the nearly three and a half hour length of the concert, for one. At its core, however, it was a celebration of music and community, not unlike a live music night at your favorite local bar.

Live music is transformative. And, unfortunately, it’s becoming more of a luxury. We all know someone who has spent ridiculous amounts of money on concert tickets (present company not excluded). Is it even worth it? 

Of course, if my Eras Tour story wasn’t clear, I very much think it is. Even as it becomes more expensive, going to concerts and listening to live music is something you should prioritize. It connects us with others, improves our mental health, and even helps boost the economy. 

At its core, however, it was a celebration of music and community, not unlike a live music night at your favorite local bar.

Human connection is one of the best parts of attending a concert

While I haven’t openly wept at every concert I’ve been to (the only other exception being the Jonas Brothers concert at our state fair when I was fifteen), live music always makes me feel like I am part of something bigger than myself. 

Have you ever listened to a song and it took you right back to a special moment? When you’re at a concert, you’re creating those types of memories simultaneously with everyone around you.

It’s amazing to think about. You’re all sharing a moment of joy, excitement, or even a little bit of sadness. This emotional connection, intensified by listening to live music, is one of the best parts of attending a concert.

It’s heartwarming to witness, too.

While waiting in the bar line at the Colter Wall show at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre, I saw one of these lovely, spontaneous interactions, and it stuck with me. The guy in front of me complimented another guy’s cowboy hat, they did the ‘bro hug’ thing, and then just started talking about the show like they were old friends.

It was reminiscent of the friendship-bracelet interactions I had at The Eras Tour: the joy and excitement that comes with realizing you share the same passion and interest as another person. 

I’m finding those interactions less frequently in our post-Covid world, so the fact that I’ve witnessed several of them at concerts reaffirms my belief that live music is one of the strongest ways to bring people together, even if it’s just for a few moments.

To quote pop princess Sabrina Carpenter: “I mean, camaraderie.” 

Your brain called: it wants to go listen to live music

It’s no surprise that music releases happy chemicals in your brain to make you feel good and reduce stress. There has to be some logical reason everyone you know has a favorite song, genre, or artist. And, for the most part, you can pop in your headphones, queue your playlist, and reap the benefits of those released endorphins for little to no cost at all. 

So, why spend the money to go somewhere and hear that same music played in person? 

I’m glad you asked.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences tells us that listening to live music stimulates your brain more intensely than listening to recorded music. The scientists found that hearing live music activates more regions in your brain, and these regions tend to be key to emotional processing.

They include: the hippocampus (organizes and stores your memories), the ventral striatum (helps motivate and reward you), and the auditory cortex (makes sense of the noise). 

At a live performance you might think you’re just standing and swaying, meanwhile your brain is firing on all cylinders to process the music, giving you a more immersive experience than if you were listening via your AirPods. 

And this, I believe, explains my mega-emotional response to The Eras Tour. Thank you, brain, for giving me such a powerful experience!

Listening to live music isn’t just good for you – it’s good for your city, too

We can’t finish talking about the importance of live music without mentioning its significant economic impact. In my home state of Washington, Oxford Economics reported that concerts and live entertainment are responsible for nearly 2.5 billion dollars annually in economic impact. And that’s just one state out of fifty. 

All from people just going out and listening to live music? Let’s dig into this.

Think about your favorite local bar or brewery – they have live music nights at least a few times each year. Events like this bring in more people to the business, which means more sales. And, the local artist gets more exposure in addition to a flat fee or percentage of sales. By attending a live music night, you’re helping your community. 

Now, zoom out.

When you travel to see a concert, you’re likely visiting – and spending money at – restaurants, shops, and hotels around the venue. This was certainly the case for me when I visited Vancouver, BC, for Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour. My best friend and I had a great time at the concert, and an equally great time seeking out local cafes. (I recommend Le Petite Belge on Robson Street!) 

Next time you travel to go to a concert, visit a local coffee shop instead of Starbucks. Avoid the chain restaurants; ask the locals for recommendations. Instead of feeling guilty that you’re spending money, just reframe your thinking: you’re out here supporting small businesses and the arts! 

Listening to live music

As the confetti falls in Lumen Field, I’m filled with so many emotions, more so than three and a half hours earlier, when I had been sobbing before Taylor ever took the stage. Mostly, though, I’m just full of happiness that I got to experience my favorite music live and in person. 

It’s the lights, the crowd, and the feeling of being part of something with 72,000 other people. It’s the smiles I’ve shared with those around me, who are equally as stoked as I am. It’s my brain working to make sure I appreciate every aspect of what’s happening audibly. Listening to live music is a unique experience that no recording can ever capture. 

These shared experiences become the stories we tell that keep us feeling connected and coming back for more.

So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign to buy those concert tickets: here it is. Happy listening!