Live Music = Healthy Life
I moved to California in 2008. Most of my B.C. life, before California, I’d been in Iowa. Since the move, I have spent a lot of time explaining. To my Iowan friends, I find myself often saying, “No, the Central Coast of California is not all traffic jams and urban sprawl.” And to my California friends, I often have to explain that, “No, I did not grow up on a farm, but rather in a small city.” I went from Des Moines, a city that tops many “Best places to live” articles, to San Lius Obispo, a small town that has been named one of the “Happiest places on earth.” I find reasons that both negate and affirm the assertions of both of my homes.
The first several years of living in California was a total culture shock for me. And given the corrections I have to make to my friends, it’s likely not the shock you’d expect. Sure, I missed my friends and family in Iowa but had new friends and family in Cali. Sure, I am closer to a farm in California than I was in Iowa. Sure, there is a drastic cost of living difference. But the shock that hit me hardest was how much I missed seeing live music.
In Des Moines, I was in the habit of seeing a live band at least every other weekend, and often every single week. Whether it was at The Vaudeville Mews, Frank’s House of Rock, The Second Ave. Foundry or The House of Bricks, I would see bands all the time. With two interstates that ran border-to-border or coast-to-coast, it seemed that any band going anywhere was passing through Des Moines. You’d think that any band going from L.A. to San Fran would surely make a stop in the middle, playing a show in San Luis Obispo. But that isn’t always the case.
The last few weeks though? I have seen a live band, or more, every week in May! And I love it! I have seen darkwave bands from Chicago and legacy icons from Scotland, I have seen brand-new bands from Los Angeles and the reuniting of a new wave band after 33 years, I’ve watched the duo of singer/songwriter coworkers and seen a dozen people share the stage, I’ve seen bands in my record collection to others that will never make it on my shelves. From a backyard to a small bar to an auditorium to a festival, my craving for live music has been met quite well this month! And it feels so good!
I have found that it’s not just a me thing. I recently read an article about a scientific study that indicated seeing live music every two weeks can add almost a decade to one’s life. So, I suppose, if someone wants to kill me, just shut off my access to live music! There were times during the pandemic when I was dying for live music, figuratively or literally, but then I was finally able to livestream a performance from a jazz vocalist or a metal band. Finding out that live music is a virtual lifeblood was refreshing, affirming that my desire for live music does have some benefits beyond mere entertainment. Here are a few that science backs up:
· Stress Reduction – Numerous studies have indicated that music improves brain function, reduces anxiety and relaxes the mind. Live music in particular reduces cortisol, a main contributor to stress related conditions and illnesses.
· Sense of Community – Studies show that live music releases oxytocin, fostering love and trust. Most of the concerts I have been to this month have had a beautiful mix of cultures, generations and genders. People from various socio-political, religious, economic and educational backgrounds share that experience without barriers that exist in other places. Any event that brings people together from various backgrounds is a great reminder that we are not alone in this thing called life.
· Increased Energy – Live music also releases dopamine, improving our mood and motivation. That, in turn, delays feelings of fatigue and enhances alertness. That electric energy you feel at a concert? It’s a real thing!
· Mood Boost – Lowering stress, building community and energy levels is bound to affect your temperament. We are our best selves when we are not stressed out and are energized instead. That’s why people smile so much at a concert! Even a sad song can boost your mood as a shared human experience and cathartic release. Often, nostalgia plays into the mood boost.
· Cultural Engagement – Whenever we see another person’s creativity and giftedness on display, there is a divine fingerprint at play. The cultural arts are a wonderful example of that. Seeing people create something right before your eyes, as opposed to just recorded and archived creations, is invigorating and often inspires something transcendent individually and celebrates cultural heritage within ethnicities.
I’ve loved the last three weeks of attending concerts for these reasons and many more. So much so, that between the opening act and the headliner this week, I researched my next possible concert to attend. In all honesty, I’m pretty bummed that I do not have another concert on the calendar at this time. But a quick perusal of the entertainment section of the local news site will surely provide me with some options.
With the summer just a couple weeks away, I encourage you to put down your phone, shut off the TV, get off your couch and enjoy some live music. Most farmer’s markets have live music. Many wineries, breweries, and distilleries have a summer schedule of live music. Not to mention larger touring acts that play all over throughout the summer. But any way you decide to experience it, live music isn’t just entertaining. Your health may depend on it!
What was the last concert you saw? How did seeing live music make you feel? Who are you going to see live next?
