"It's the best selling show"

There is one question that is guaranteed to get a music fan all of a flutter - "What do you like about gigs so much?" I believe that gigs, especially those in smaller venues which present a hearty lack of health and safety regulations or age restrictions, have provided some of the most, hilarious, embarrassing and generally wonderful memories, whether shared with friends or otherwise.



My friend and I after the Peace show last week
(looking deranged)

In my opinion, the context of a gig makes you either incredibly scared or incredibly mental. I am often an oddly contrasting combination of the two; where the boy behind me who is a bit too touchy-feely is making me feel slightly uncomfortable but the ear drum-bursting pouring out bass of the amps makes me not give a damn and I'm guaranteed to end up on the floor singing my lungs... out? Live music allows you to lose control for a few hours. The metaphorical "letting go" of the stuff that makes you feel like you want to punch a wall is like the perfect tragedy: a cleansing of the emotions; where you leave feeling like you could take on the world (if you could be bothered).

Oh look a signed Drenge t shirt!

Although the music is obviously the most important part of a gig, the entire experience of the time leading up to it is often just as exciting. Planning how much eyeliner and glitter I will pack onto my poor eyelids and which shirt I will wear ("the paisley one says interesting and mysterious, while the denim one says business"), sets the night up as an event, which it most probably will be (unless the band you're seeing is terrible.... oops). Everything associated with a gig makes me feel positively thrilled - meeting friends, trying to pass for 18, queuing up for hours on end, buying a t shirt and all the associated etiquette is often just as fun as the music itself.



That time I saw MGMT and nearly burst into tears of joy

Quite often, the experience of seeing an artist in very raw and personal surroundings makes you love them just that little bit more: You're seeing them at their most vulnerable considering that the crowd could either make or break them. Moreover, hearing your favourite song in a room full of people who may also call it their favourite song creates the best atmosphere imaginable. Seeing 'them' on stage grinning at all of you as you sing along is not only magical, but makes you feel like you're part of a secret club, despite the fact that you have kept their albums to yourself in your bedroom for the past few years. In my opinion, this creates a sense that, when you have seen them live, your love has reached excessive levels because you're in the same room as them, you can see their every expression when they play and you can sing your heart out when previously only the walls have heard your wonderful voice.

Interestingly, I find that many songs from a band that you haven't held especially close to your heart sound utterly sublime when played with extravagant gusto live. Furthermore, some artists actually sound better in a live setting, because they built up their fanbase using live shows or their sound is more naturally aggressive than what you can gather from the CD, for example. This feeling is definitely aided by seeing them perform in front of you, because you can see their interactions, reactions and every little smile they give you.

To summarise: Gigs are really THE BEST SELLING SHOW (I do love a David Bowie pun...)

Paige x x x