For as long as I can remember, music has been a significant and extremely important part of my life. So it comes with no surprise that when I was in middle school I begged my parents to let me go to my first concert – Ariana Grande. While it took some convincing, I attended it and “caught” the “concert bug,” meaning I was immediately obsessed with live music from there on out. All I could think about after the concert was when I was going to have another chance to see any one of my favorite artists live and thinking that I had to do this again.
Much like music has been for me, concerts have always served as an escape. It’s a time when you can just let go of some of your worries, even if just for a few hours. It’s truly a feeling like no other.
One of my favorite shows I’ve ever been to was seeing Lady Gaga on The Chromatica Ball tour almost 2 years ago. While I had seen Gaga live before, this was my first time seeing her with my sister, who loves her music just as much as I do. My sister and I’s all-time favorite album of Gaga’s is “Joanne,” and we have definitely spent countless hours listening to it together over the years since its release. With that, you can probably imagine our shock when she changed the setlist at our show and sang “Angel Down,” which is a song from the album. My sister and I both looked at each other in disbelief and immediately started to tear up, not only from how excited we were to hear it while at the show together, but also because of how much meaning and power the song itself holds.
Being surrounded by Little Monsters and singing and dancing along in a stadium that night where you could feel so much love surrounding you is one of my favorite memories, not just from a concert, but ever, and is one I know I’ll never forget.
Since that very first show I ever went to, I’ve been fortunate enough to see many of my absolute favorite artists live and am planning on seeing more this year! I’m so grateful to have both music and live music in my life and most importantly, the sense of community it has given me. It is truly something special to feel like you are a part of something that is so much bigger than yourself, and I’m thankful more than words can say for all of the amazing memories I’ve been able to make because of it.
