Good music is just a click away. With headphones or earbuds, you get the best sound from your favourite artist, perfectly tuned to your ears. The sound is clear, crisp and feels like the artist is performing just for you. It’s easy, convenient and incredibly satisfying.

But there’s one thing missing from that perfectly curated experience — the energy of being part of something bigger.

According to Steven Caldwell Brown and Don Knox in their study, “Why go to pop concerts? The motivations behind live music attendance,” concert attendance is often motivated by the desire to physically see one’s favourite artists “in the flesh,” with some individuals driven by the chance to meet the band or “shake hands.”

This sentiment resonates with my own experiences. Whenever I attend a concert, I often pause halfway through, look around, and think, “this is it. This is what happiness feels like.”

Surrounded by people who share the same passion for the music, I feel a warm sense of community — a feeling that captures the emotional fulfillment many concertgoers seek when attending live performances.

Another study also notes that with the rise of technology, people no longer need to attend live concerts to enjoy high-quality recordings of their favourite songs, suggesting that the motivation to attend live music events is driven more by social factors than the music itself. However, even with the convenience of quality recordings, live concerts offer something irreplaceable.

Attending a concert means stepping out of your comfort zone, engaging with strangers and experiencing the collective energy that streaming music simply cannot replicate. Plus, jumping, dancing and moving to the music provides not only an emotional release but also a great workout. The live experience brings people together in ways that recordings just can’t match.

And then, in that moment, it all comes together. This moment won’t last forever. And that thought makes the night feel even more intense — more precious, more real. When the song hits at full volume, and the music fills every corner of the venue, it’s like the whole crowd becomes one. That’s when it really hits me, “we are all here, living a dream, and it’s something that can never be replicated.” Not in your living room, not on a streaming app and definitely not on the bus with your earbuds in.

While there are obviously a lot of people who want to go to see their favourite artist, some factors such as ticket prices might be overwhelming, making it harder to experience the magic of a concert. But when you do get that chance, it’s unlike anything else.

I love it when sometimes, the opening act ends up being far better than you’d expect. You walk in thinking they’re just a warm-up, but then they totally blow you away. You find yourself thinking, “I had no idea who they were, but now I can’t wait to hear more.”

These unknown bands have a unique way of captivating the audience, often with raw energy and talent that might just steal the show. In a few years, they may become the next big band touring here and there.

For instance, Demi Lovato opening for the Jonas Brothers in 2008 for their Burnin’ Up Tour, or The Beatles opening for Roy Orbison in a 1963 tour of the U.K. after The Beatles had just released their first album Please Please Me. These examples highlight how attending live concerts can lead to unexpected discoveries, introducing audiences to emerging artists who may become the next big thing in the entertainment industry.