Through my years I have made going to shows a way of my life– through friends like Bailey who opened my eyes to bands like The Shins and valued the local music scene enough to take me along to shows on the weekends; through being related to my sister who worked for a local venue and let me tag along to watch shows and chat with bands after; and through surrounding myself with people who appreciate music and the experience of a live concert in college. I have taken so many things from involving myself in the music scene, but my favorite has to be the dramatic change of experience dancing adds to a show.
It doesn’t matter what you might have been going through before you entered those venue doors, once you let the music fill your soul, inhibitions seem to be released. It’s inevitable to embrace the environment through the stimulation of the loud noise and the connection of the people surrounding you enjoying the same experience. Even just being amazed by the talent of the musicians is incredibly stimulating. But once you take it a step further and let the music move through you and inspire movement and dance you will experience a live show on a whole different level. Every show is a new and different experience. (I know it just keeps getting better!)
Take hardcore, metal, and punk shows for example. You can mosh, which seems aggressive, but pain doesn’t ever seem to play a role until after the show when you realize that you have a fat lip. It’s just fun to push people around and let your body be tossed around. It’s like when I wipe out on a big wave surfing and get caught in the power of the swell, instead of resisting it I let my body limp and embrace being tossed around and having no control over my body. When things get too rough and someone falls down its common knowledge to pick them up and make sure they are okay. Even when you aren’t moshing, I love the essence of just going wild– throwing your body around, jumping up and down– of these genres of music.
Techno shows, which dominate the European musical culture and are proving a successful spreading existence in cities like San Francisco and L.A., are yet another phenomenal experience. Yes, there is a stigma of drugs attached to attending these shows which does enhance the experience, but the great thing about techno is extra stimulation really isn’t needed. From observations from attending my first rave (in the forest!) and watching YouTube videos, as well as accounts from friends, I’ve noticed that you become one with yourself and everyone expresses that in different ways of dancing. You can stand there and nod your head or you can create dance moves you didn’t even know existed and would be really embarrassed if ever video taped. Yet you don’t care because you are in the moment and it’s too incredible to pass up because of fear of what people might think.
I could go on about reggae shows and peacefulness you get from the style of dance influenced by the music and indie shows and the A.D.D.-like foot tapping and wormy movements. Whatever show you go to and no matter what type of person you are, dancing is just something that was built in us, no matter what style comes out of you, and it is so important that we are able to release that. So like I say, dance and be free. You won’t regret it.
Check out how SLO locals get down.
Cool! Fun to watch, makes me want to dance!!!