Concert Craze

Packed crowds, blaring music, and that one tall guy standing right in front of you - these are all some of the most notable and memorable characteristics of going to a concert. 

While many JA students love to listen to music on their headphones or earbuds, it's a different experience entirely to see your favorite musician playing live. From Cannibal Corpse to Travis Scott, JA students have been to a wide variety of concerts, and everyone has something to say about them!

“Most recently I went to a free Fishbone show with my dad, which was a great concert because the venue was outside,” senior E Fisk said.  “The venue really gave the whole thing a great atmosphere. My favorite shows, though, have been Machine Girl and Slowdive.”

Fisk has gone to concerts his entire life. From the nostalgic rock of Fishbone to the dreamy shoegaze sound of Slowdive, he knows his way around the scene. He cited crowd interaction as one of the hallmarks of a good concert, as it makes the audience feel included and connected with the artist. Not every student, however, is big on the slower, dreamlike sounds of bands like Slowdive; some prefer the louder, more aggressive sounds of heavy metal. 

“The most recent big-name concert I went to was the Mayhem/Cannibal Corpse tour,” junior Vivien Lynn revealed. “It was an awesome experience, as I’d been a fan of both bands for almost six years and own a ton of their merch. If I had to pick a favorite concert, I would have to go with Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper.”

An avid metal enthusiast, Lynn has been to tons of concerts both big and small. From tiny garage bands just getting their start to chart toppers like Rob Zombie, she’s seen it all. One of the best parts of the concert experience for her is nostalgia, and she says that it’s awesome to see a band live after following and enjoying their music for years. Lynn isn’t the only one who appreciates nostalgia; many students enjoy going to concerts of bands that they’re long-time fans of. 

“Most recently, I went to a Beabadobee concert,” junior Sofi Araujo explained. “It was great! The vibes were awesome. I’ve been a fan of her for a while, so it was super cool to get the chance to see her live.” 

An avid fan of the ever-growing genre of bedroom pop, Araujo has been to some great concerts and has plans to see many more. One of the most important aspects of a concert for her is the vibes of the show - they can make or break it. These vibes are all-encompassing, as everything from your seat to the artist’s interaction with the audience can be integral parts of the concert experience. 

“Most recently I saw the Jonas Brothers, but my favorite concert is definitely JVKE,” junior Catherine Berg said. “I was super close to the stage, and there was so much confetti at the end of the show. It was really just a super awesome experience. The music was great too. Everything about it was so much fun!”

A seasoned concert-goer, Berg has seen all sorts of shows, and enjoyed nearly all of them. She’s not the only one to have near-perfect concert experiences, though. Junior Koen Lucas has also been to many different concerts that he’d describe as amazing.

“I just saw Don Toliver not too long ago, and that was an AMAZING performance,” Lucas exclaimed. “It was exactly what I’d expect from a concert, and he has the perfect music for concerts. It doesn’t hurt that I’ve been a fan of his forever.”

A huge live music fan, Lucas has seen his share of good concerts. One of his standouts was Zach Bryan at Red Rocks, but most recently he went to a Don Toliver show that blew him away. From having the perfect music for concerts to being an amazing stage personality, it was Lucas’s idea of the perfect concert. He’s a huge live music fan, it’s one of his favorite pastimes.

“Honestly, I love concerts,” Lucas explained. “I feel like it’s one of the most personal experiences that you can have with your favorite music and artists.”