By Kalie Hand
Recently, I attended Phoebe Bridgers’ no-phones concert and was reminded of just how special music and real human connection are.
Hearing the deafening roar of the crowd singing along to every lyric, I felt strangely at home. So often, we feel as though our feelings are entirely our own; as if we are facing everything by ourselves. But there I was, experiencing the same feelings as 20,000 other people at the exact same time. Proving that, in fact, we are never facing anything truly alone, yet I never would have realized this had it not been for music. So thank you, music, for bringing me love and heartbreak; life and breath.
Live music has brought me closer to the people I love and helped me find new people to love. As an avid concert-goer, I take deciding what to wear to a concert very seriously. So, when one of my friends shows interest in accompanying me on my outfit journeys, I love it. From frequent trips to goodwill, and hours spent hunched over a sewing machine, company makes it all the better. Additionally, I can’t even count how many people I have met in line at concerts or music releases that I have ended up talking to for hours. All because of our shared love for a specific artist, we find other similarities; similarities that we would have never discovered had it not been for the music that brought us together in the first place.
Not only that, over the past four years, I have obtained a vast record and CD collection. Physical media feels more personal than listening to an artist on Spotify. Opening up a brand new vinyl feels like knowing a secret that no one else knows. The subtle touches that people often miss—short notes written on lyric booklets or a poster tucked away within a sleeve—feel personal.
Furthermore, I am also so grateful for all the musicians who have taken a stand for what they believe in, especially in times such as these. Such musicians include Noah Kahan, Conan Gray, Olivia Rodrigo, and Halsey—just to name a few. These artists have stood up for what they believe in regardless of the fact that they may lose fans. While no one in the public eye has to speak out about issues in our world, I find that it shows that they truly care about other people. Instead of hiding behind their fame and wealth, they use their success for good. They raise awareness and influence people who may have never even given those issues a second thought.
For as long as I can remember, music has been the cornerstone of my life. From musical theatre and singing in a choir to collecting physical music and learning guitar, my existence has revolved around music.
So, just like ABBA proudly sings, I say, “Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing.”