By: Emily
Schmidt
On
the good days, the bad days, and the days you’ll remember for the rest of your
life, there is usually one thing in common. Rather it be background noise, a
full on soundtrack, or a little carpool karaoke, music slips into our lives
everyday and contributes to the way we hold on to memories. When you’re sitting
in a room full of people, at least a handful of the crowd would say that music
on it’s own has created a memory that will go down as the best day of their
life. Experiencing live music leaves a lasting impression like no other, and
forever changes the way you feel about a certain tune, venue, or band. Today,
the live music scene grows bigger and bolder, with a new modern wave of music
festivals is becoming the next biggest trend.
In April, one of the largest music in
the world, Coachella Valley Music Festival, happened in California’s Palm
Desert, attracting over 400,000 people 2 weekends in a row, including myself.
The draw to be a part of the magic took over the brains of ticketholders for
the 10 months they knew they would be attending the magical desert trip.
Coachella is the festival of the elite, where siting celebrities, from the
Kardashian’s to YouTubers, is just part of the normal daily excursions. With
something this popular, getting tickets isn’t the easiest. Snagging tickets is
something that has to be taken very seriously, as they sell out in a matter of
hours. Tickets go on sale before the lineup of the festival is released, which
is a tactic that many other festivals do as well in order gain attention and
speculation from the press and attendees.
Once the lineup is uncovered, they
amount of people who will hunt down scalpers, or people who buy tickets and try
to sell them for a outrageous markup, in order to get in on the action. Radiohead,
Beyoncé, and Kendrick Lamar were the original headliners for the 2017 festival,
but unfortunately Beyoncé had to step away due to the fact that she’s pregnant
with twins. Many fans of the Queen Bee were disappointed in her departure, but
others, including myself, were pleased to see that Lady Gaga would be stepping
in her spot on the Saturday night headlining spot. With world renowned acts coming together all
in one place, the draw to the desert stages left people fighting for a spot in
the action.
When you see a artist you love announce
a performance or a festival appearance, you automatically want to jump in a
car, bus, plane or train in order to see them perform, even if it’s just for
forty five minuets and you are all the way in the back. There is something
magical about live music that leaves people wanting to come back for more.
Mark, an employee at the Lake Sumter Book Store, said that the production of
sound and the feeling you get when you heard your favorite song is
unforgettable. Zach, who provides security at the Lake Sumter Campus, said that
maybe his best day ever would have been seeing his favorite band, Tool, live at
a festival in Orlando. He notes that the energy you feel when everyone around
you is signing along and has the same love for the band that you do, then that
moment is unbeatable.
My favorite memory is seeing my Vampire
Weekend at a music festival a few years back, and I would say that Coachella is
coming up on a close second to that memory. Memories made with a connection to music
become everlasting and live on in your heart forever. So imagine being reminded
of that moment where you look up and see the artists that have changed the way
you live your life. These songs and bands have made all of your awful and good
days better, and being able to take a moment to personally reflect on those
moments, all while standing in a field with thousands of other people who feel
the same way is life changing.
Festivals are the future of live music.
Being able to sell out venues is becoming difficult, and getting on the roaster
for a festival is more convenient. According to Katie Nguyen, a talent booker
for major festivals across the nation, headliners for these major festivals can
make a few hundred thousand dollars for a 75 minuet timeslot, and second level
performers can earn around seventy five thousand dollars for their
performances. These prices are too good for most artists to pass up on, which
leads to a lineup full of talent from all different genres.
As a college student, I want to live
this period of my life to the fullest. I think that being able to make memories
and live out great experiences is the best part of life, and attending a music
festival with a few old friends, and making a few new ones is an experience
like no other. After attending Coachella, I want to spread the word on the
magic that it creates, around the festival and inside myself. I want the people
my age to go and see all the beauty that comes along with music. Being able to
engage with others and create bonds that you will carry for life is one of the
most beautiful things we are granted as humans. So next time you see that artist
you love performing at a festival that’s a few states away, take the challenge
and make it happen. Grab some friends, a tent, and your dancing shoes, forget
about work and school, listen to some tunes, and change the way you live
forever.
