It is difficult, especially today, to imagine all cultures of the world sharing a common love. One look at the news confirms there is absolutely nothing anyone can agree on and reinforces that there never has been. We grow more and more divided each day and it is easy to feel like there is no connecting factor between us all. This isn’t true!
As humans, we have always had a need for the arts. It was our first language. Music is a particularly major foundation of civilization as we know it. Music has always been a part of culture and a way to express the unique and rich histories of every civilization. As long as humanity has existed, so has music.
We find ourselves now in the 21st century with more access to music than any of our ancestors ever thought possible. Even our parents laugh at our ignorance of the technology they used to listen to bands we don’t know now.
The modern luxury of smartphones has exposed an entire generation to hundreds of different genres, thousands of different artists and an understanding of this art form as rapid and disposable.
I have been a musician for the majority of my life. I took piano lessons as a child but quickly fell in love with singing. I’ve been singing for 12 years now and I cannot understate the impact that music has had on my life, specifically live music.
Long before listening to music daily from our phones was common, live music was the only way to experience the art form at all. When taking a deeper look at live music, it becomes clear why this has such an important effect on humans. The connection that is shared among people who are all experiencing the same concert is unlike any other.
Getting to witness music being created in front of your own eyes unlocks a new sense; sight. In most of our day to day lives, we listen passively, but concerts demand visual attention as well. When we see each person in a band performing their craft, it unlocks a new and deeper understanding of what music is.
Live music becomes an incredibly immersive experience that invites the listener along on the journey of the song as it’s being created. Unlike recordings, live performances are littered with imperfections and variations that are unique to the moment and that cannot be recreated upon the push of a button.
Here in Acadiana we have an incredibly rich history of music. The traditional instruments, lyrical patterns and tempos of Cajun music tell a beautiful story about the culture that cannot be found in books alone. This culture has been passed down by generations and is vital to our region’s identity.
Its true spirit cannot be captured on a streaming app, but that is now the most common way to consume music. Convenience has altered the ways in which we engage with art.
There is definitely a case to be made for listening to recorded music. For example, it makes many genres incredibly more accessible compared to the limitations of exclusively live music. Studio music has also revolutionized the technology and instrumentation being used, which revolutionized the art form.
There is also much to be said for the nostalgia factor of hearing a song from a specific time in your life and being instantly transported back in time due to its consistency. These are all extremely valid strengths, however, prerecorded music will always lack the human element in some way.
Finally, live music has an incredible impact on history and popular culture. One quiet Goliath example is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour which was an unprecedented live music event. As we have seen the tour’s ripple effects throughout our world today, it is undeniable that music is one of the most connective art forms and deserves great reverence.
But there is no need to spend hundreds (or even thousands in some cases) of dollars on tour tickets, live music is all around you! The School of Music at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette holds several concerts a year and South Louisiana is famous for its music festivals. There is no better way to connect with others and the world around you by experiencing live music.