For decades, music fans have been drawn to seeing their favourite artists in concert and even finding new favourite artists as support.
It’s been clear that live music is something appreciated by many fans for so long and back during the covid lockdowns and restrictions, we all really missed it – whether it was for the social aspect or the music aspect or both.
But following the pandemic and the subsequent cost-of-living crisis, it seems harder and harder for smaller venues to survive, with a number closing down regularly – most recently The Moon in Cardiff – despite the efforts of people and organisations like The Music Venues Trust.
We want to inspire people to remember the benefits of live music and get people out there supporting the venues and acts that have brought us so much joy over the years.
To do this, we asked our followers to share why live music is important to them.
Aled at Beast PR said: “Live music is super important to the community and bringing people together socially.
“Without this we will not be able to sustain a music scene where younger generations see a band onstage, become obsessed and say ‘I could do that’ and start a band themselves with a group of pals.”
AltCorner deputy editor Lizi Birt said: “Live music is absolutely vital to the music scene as a whole, as it is the main way for bands and artists to generate income via in-person merch sales. With the popularity of streaming services rising, artists are getting less and less for their work with Spotify paying artists around 0.04p per stream.
“On the musical front, it is a chance for bands and artists to show off their latest music and back catalogue to their fans and potentially gain new fans from those in the crowd who may be there specifically for another artist.
“It’s also a chance for them to experiment and create a mesmerising live show or some really cool renditions of songs.
“On a personal note, for me live music is a way to escape from life and be in a happy place for a few hours with nothing to think about but wondering what song is coming next. It’s a way to feel connected to my favourite artists, whether that’s just from being in their presence and sharing the experience together or even being lucky enough to get something like a guitar pick, setlist etc.”
@thelittleowl11 on X (formerly Twitter) said: “It’s a great way for the artist or band to connect with their fans and it’s overall just a great time.”
@jtwinkie1 on X (formerly Twitter) said: “Live music is awesome! Seeing my favorite bands right in front of me is such a cool experience. Being in a crowd and moshing with a bunch of other people that have the same passion for music as I do is such a wonderful feeling.”
@twerkingtopunk on X (formerly Twitter) said: “Being immersed in the music that no headphones or audio mastering could compare to. Watching artists cook in real time, like going out for hibachi and watching the chef chef up in front of you, giving you more appreciation for the food. It’s also my way of giving back by being there like ‘hey, I’m physically here to support you because I want to be, and to show you that what you’re doing is meaningful to me’.”
Dustin Gronvall said: “Live music is really therapeutic for me. I can go to a show and leave any and all worries out the door because I know for the next few hours, none of it matters. All that matters is seeing a band I love, discovering new bands, and meeting new friends along the way.
“Concerts are always my go to when people ask where my happy place is. It brings a feeling and experience that can’t be replicated or replaced. Some of my best memories are from concerts. It really feels like magic, the way it can just make the pain of life go away in an instant.”
And of course, it’s not just the fans that live music has an impact on, but the artists too. From Inside vocalist Zaid Elgahmi said: “As an artist, live music feels like a place where I can safely show the world my superpowers.
“It’s YOUR stage, and for that 30, 40 minutes, or whatever you get, you feel love from complete strangers, and you make a connection like you know everything about them, and you don’t even know their names.
“Every clap, cheer, and scream means the world to me. And despite it being the same songs, every song means something different to every person in the room, and you can’t find that in any other job than live music. And that’s why it’s so important to me.”
We hope some of these messages inspire you to get out there to see the many bands and artists coming through your local venues. Let us know who you’re seeing next and your own views on live music!