I had the honour and privilege of attending a rock concert this week. The honour, you ask? The privilege? Yes, to both – it was the night after some poor folks in Paris had the unfortunate fate of doing the same thing. Many of the victims, I’m sure you’ve heard, were attending a rock concert and most of the rest were simply out on the town, living their lives. We often overlook how lucky we are to have the opportunity to choose how to live our lives and all the options to choose from. For those who no longer have that opportunity, we should pay our respects by taking their place.
I think being at a concert the night after the tragedy was powerful. It felt important to be there living, rather than hiding at home. It also gave me pause to reflect on how important music is in my life and the Western way of life in general. Music permeates almost all of our social activities. In an art gallery, a restaurant or pub, a play or ballet, a sporting event, even at the mall – music is there. Music is also a part of France, a part of their freedom, a part of their hearts. If you’re reading this on a music website, it’s a part of yours, too. To me, going out for dinner then to a rock concert is my expression of freedom. It’s much better than mall music, too.
I’ve started to go to more concerts recently and what a revelation. I forgot how much I loved it – new bands, new albums, new versions. I’ve picked up several new favourite bands by them opening for other acts live- All Time Low and Triggerfinger come to mind immediately. Better yet, I’ve seen thousands of one of a kind performances of my favourite songs. That’s the beauty of the live show – it’s once in a lifetime to get that exact set, that exact feeling, that moment that you and a thousand or so like minded souls share with a band. It’s what life is about for a music lover.
Listen, no one can predict when their life will end, so live it while you have it. Don’t just be in it, passing time – truly experience it. The world is out there waiting to be discovered. Don’t let unpredictable, unfathomable tragedies stop you from living your life. Don’t hide inside and don’t stop living – that’s what freedom haters want. We win by living our lives and carrying on. So, go out. Experience life and live music. Your life will be better and fuller for it. And that’s how freedom wins.
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written by Chris van Staalduinen