Concerts are expensive, and most highschool students do not typically have a large disposable income. However, many teenagers who love listening to music end up being very dedicated to attending concerts, despite the price. Many teenagers simply find joy in concerts that no other way of listening to music can replicate. Sophomore Quirin Collins describes the main difference between streaming services and live shows, in terms of experience.
“The atmosphere at a live concert is filled with shared excitement,which creates a unique experience that resonates with the attendees. Which is why I am drawn to live concerts rather than listening to music through streaming platforms,” Collins said.
This atmosphere of live concerts is something that cannot be replicated at home with a streaming platform. The excitement of seeing someone’s favorite performers live cannot be portrayed through a screen and a pair of headphones. Sophomore Mikael Serrano explains his favorite part of attending concerts.
“What draws me to concerts is the fact it is a whole different feel from streaming music. You get to see them and can feel their passion when performing. Live concerts offer a real feel that streaming services just cannot duplicate. I enjoy seeing the singer’s emotions and the band playing in person. [When] Faye Webster and her band members were playing, you could see their passion,” Serrano said.
The passion and atmosphere of live concerts make many shows worthwhile for some audience members. However, some concert-goers prefer live shows to show support for their favorite artists. Sophomore Aime Williams explains why she thinks more people should be attending their top singers’ concerts.
“What draws me to attend live concerts is for the experience. I firmly believe if you truly love an artist, you will do anything in order to support their pathway into the music industry as much as possible,” Williams said. “The benefit of attending live shows in the age of streaming services is so crucial. Streaming services do not help artists grow in comparison to attending their concerts or buying merch. I recall artists only gain a fraction of a penny per stream, so I urge many to see your favorite artists live.”
Although the reasons for going to concerts may differ between attendees, both Williams and Collins can agree on bringing friends to concerts. Going to concerts with friends can be an amazing way to make new memories as well as strengthen your bond with them. Friends can also be helpful for comfort, as concerts can sometimes become overwhelming.
“Ticket prices do influence my concert-going decisions. While I am willing to spend money on seeing my favorite artists perform live, I also value saving my money along with keeping myself disciplined with my spending. If the concert tickets seem a bit overpriced, it does affect my willingness to attend,” Collins said. “If one of my favorite artists were to have a concert I am interested in, but the ticket prices are simply too much, I decide that although the experience is worth it, the price is not,” Collins said.
Collins, though loving concerts, decides to consider her factors, then puts her wallet and self-discipline before certain experiences. Both sides make fair points, especially regarding the idea that money circles back, but experiences will not.
“Live concerts undeniably provide a deeper connection with the music through the energy of the performance and shared experience with other fans. Attending live concerts creates a unique and immersive experience that streaming platforms simply cannot replicate. The live performances elevate the music to another level, making a live concert a memorable event,” Collins said.
