Your gig experiences and reflections are really thought-provoking and interesting to read! "Collective effervescence" hits on what I hope for and enjoy most at shows. I reckon it's a weird alchemy that depends on so many factors: the artist and their nature; the nature of the fanbase; the venue and location; even the time of year.
I feel that, as I've got older (and less antisocial), what I want most out of gigs is to feel I'm part of a shared human experience, participating in something that we're all enjoying as one regardless of all our individual differences. Something that transcends mundane life and the private enjoyment we have of the music at home thanks to modern tech. But that can't happen if people approach concerts with main character energy and an individualist mindset.
Two things I can compare from gigs I went to last year: at a smallish metal gig, I saw one guy turn his back to the stage and faff around shooting a selfie video of himself singing along to a song. In doing this he was missing the actual musicians he'd paid to see playing that song behind him while also bothering other giggoers who had to clear space for his private video. Then there was a massive punk gig with an entire hall of people bouncing up and down in unison, a sea of people all moving as one and one with the band and their music.
That was collective effervescence. It's a euphoric feeling that still thrills me months later. It also highlights just how narcissistic and idiotic metal concert karaoke bloke was. Anyroad, that's a long digression for a comment and I'll leave it there with "Really good writing and, yes, observing gig audiences is a fascinating endeavour".
I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying reading, James! I agree it’s a weird alchemy that depends on so many factors.
I love the way you talk about the shared human experiences that can be found at gigs. That’s exactly what I was getting at - how can we come together for a moment that transcends mundane life? The way you phrased that, too, made me think about how gigs act as a kind of situation (more on situationism here, if you haven’t read - https://kierancutting.substack.com/p/your-free-time-isnt-yours )
The idea of going into that individualist mindset in a metal gig of all things is wild to me. They’re the least individualist audiences I’ve known!
I really liked your writing on situationism and agree that gigs can be a type of situation! (At least, in an ideal world and maybe that ideal world requires smartphones and egos to be left at the door or locked in little pouches for the duration of the show.)
Loved this, and the way it prompted me to think about the tension of trying to be a villager and also being very annoyed by other villagers haha. V excited to see what it’s like at Phoebe Bridgers without individualism machines separating the audience from the stage
GOD DAMN I FORGOT TO ADD SOME LOVELY GUY GAVE ME FREE SHINY POKÉMON CARDS WHICH I DON’T COLLECT ANY MORE BUT IT WAS STILL A LOVELY GESTURE
Your gig experiences and reflections are really thought-provoking and interesting to read! "Collective effervescence" hits on what I hope for and enjoy most at shows. I reckon it's a weird alchemy that depends on so many factors: the artist and their nature; the nature of the fanbase; the venue and location; even the time of year.
I feel that, as I've got older (and less antisocial), what I want most out of gigs is to feel I'm part of a shared human experience, participating in something that we're all enjoying as one regardless of all our individual differences. Something that transcends mundane life and the private enjoyment we have of the music at home thanks to modern tech. But that can't happen if people approach concerts with main character energy and an individualist mindset.
Two things I can compare from gigs I went to last year: at a smallish metal gig, I saw one guy turn his back to the stage and faff around shooting a selfie video of himself singing along to a song. In doing this he was missing the actual musicians he'd paid to see playing that song behind him while also bothering other giggoers who had to clear space for his private video. Then there was a massive punk gig with an entire hall of people bouncing up and down in unison, a sea of people all moving as one and one with the band and their music.
That was collective effervescence. It's a euphoric feeling that still thrills me months later. It also highlights just how narcissistic and idiotic metal concert karaoke bloke was. Anyroad, that's a long digression for a comment and I'll leave it there with "Really good writing and, yes, observing gig audiences is a fascinating endeavour".
I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying reading, James! I agree it’s a weird alchemy that depends on so many factors.
I love the way you talk about the shared human experiences that can be found at gigs. That’s exactly what I was getting at - how can we come together for a moment that transcends mundane life? The way you phrased that, too, made me think about how gigs act as a kind of situation (more on situationism here, if you haven’t read - https://kierancutting.substack.com/p/your-free-time-isnt-yours )
The idea of going into that individualist mindset in a metal gig of all things is wild to me. They’re the least individualist audiences I’ve known!
I really liked your writing on situationism and agree that gigs can be a type of situation! (At least, in an ideal world and maybe that ideal world requires smartphones and egos to be left at the door or locked in little pouches for the duration of the show.)
Loved this, and the way it prompted me to think about the tension of trying to be a villager and also being very annoyed by other villagers haha. V excited to see what it’s like at Phoebe Bridgers without individualism machines separating the audience from the stage
Love love love the way you wrote this!!! How do we be villagers whilst also being allowed to be annoyed at other villagers!