Putting a Pause on Concerts
Did you attend a concert pre-pandemic? Are you currently missing concerts like never before? If so, this article is for you.
A commonality among most concert-goers is the immediate feeling of missing the high-energy atmosphere of a concert and the pure joy of listening to a live performer. Moments as special as that are hard to replicate, especially right now.
With all concerts and festivals canceled back in mid-March, any plans for a music-filled summer were canceled as well. For a concert fanatic and festival junkie like me, I was absolutely devastated. All the memories I imagined making with my friends were no longer possible.
This left fans disheartened, but it also left festivals and ticket companies in a difficult financial position. The live music industry is suffering from refunding, rescheduling, and recovering, which may lead to some festivals not returning altogether.
The unstable return of live events can lead to post-concert sadness. Here are a few strategies that help me, and might help you, get through it.
Looking Back
The first thing I always want to do after a concert is look through old photos and videos to relive the experience. Visualizing yourself back in that same environment and headspace can be a good idea to revive the memories and reflect on the moment.
Doing Now
An effective way to satisfy the craving for a concert is to create an at-home concert experience. Inviting a few friends over, putting up lights, turning up the volume, and dancing around builds a similar environment. There are plenty of videos or live streams that are constantly online. There are also many music communities that Zoom call/live stream music to stay connected. Being in the presence of people with similar music tastes can help spread positivity from bonding with others.
Some organizations are hosting drive-in concerts around the country to safely still listen to live performers. I find this to be an exciting and innovative way to support music in a strange time. On a lesser scale, many local restaurants and bars have live music of varying genres throughout the week.
Planning Ahead
Unfortunately, there is only so much to do for the future with an ongoing pandemic. However, now is the time to save money to buy tickets. Instead of panicking for cash last minute, there is time to prepare for the expensive cost of tickets, hotels, outfits, food, and all the other expenses the night may bring. Saving up money for that first concert post-pandemic is a perfect way to ensure the time of your life when it finally arrives.
Ultimately, nothing can quite live up to the experience. That next concert will be here before we know it. Nothing can come close to the same scale or production, but enjoying music or finding people with similar music tastes will never stop. Whether in-person or online, it is so easy to bond with others over memories at the same festival or fangirling over the same artist.
Who knows, maybe you’ll end up meeting a group to go to a concert with after the pandemic is over!
Be well, Auburn.
Photography: Jennifer F.
Writer
Growing up as a military child, Jennifer moved from state to state, until her family settled in Madison, AL. Spending the majority of her life there, she got introduced to video production and decided to pursue that field of study at Auburn University. As a senior in Visual Media with a minor in Business and Marketing, Jennifer keeps her options open for whatever direction graduation will take her. Jennifer starts every day with her favorite drink, Dunkin’ iced coffee. Besides that, she loves going to concerts, planning road trips, being crafty, and doing anything adventurous. She considers herself to be open-minded, except when it comes to trying new foods. Overall, Jennifer thrives off a busy schedule while making a balance of personal and quality time with others.
