Music is the Answer

Imagine a life without the one thing you look forward to, the one thing that makes you feel alive. This something is not a primal need, nor do we technically need it to survive, but surviving and thriving are two different ways of living. As humans, we have a dire need for human connection and are constantly searching for a way to fulfill that need. In a world of comments, like, tweet, subscribe, etc. it is common too long for human connection. Human connection is an innate need that we all have. Since birth, we are wired to connect with others and that is how we survive. Babies need to connect with their mothers for a beneficial relationship that is life or death for the child. This attachment system we find a need for is what gives us an attraction towards other humans. The best outlet for this need of human connection is live music. Bringing hundreds or even thousands of people together to listen to their favorite artist is a feeling that is unmatched. According to a study by Live Nation Entertainment, they stated, "we're inundated with information, constantly distracted, and hitting peak collective digital burnout. In response, people of all generations are seeking device-less human-centered experiences -- two-thirds (66%) of global respondents report they are starving for experiences that put them back in touch with people and raw emotions." (Lavigne -Deville) People want to connect with others and the data is showing this as well.

The power of music is far more vast than most people realize. Music can heighten emotions and bring others together. In a new study published by Neuron, it says that through evolution we now have a dedicated part of our brain and its own neural network circuit. Parts of our brain light up when listening to music we enjoy vs just sounds that we hear. It is a sophisticated enough network to realize what is music and what is not. These neural circuits are what affects our moods and create the need to replicate that feeling when seeing our favorite band or listening to our favorite artists' new single. When we listen to music our brain releases dopamine, which plays a role in how we feel pleasure. Since music and pleasure go hand in hand, this also affects how we deal with pain or stress.

We have seen our need for human connection and how live music is the best outlet. We have also seen how music affects our brain in ways we never thought were possible. Live music brings more people together in a way that is differs from other events. It not only brings people together, but it also taps into parts of our brain like I previously stated. "There's a divinity in being in that room together, the venue becomes the temple and music the sermon. The music comes the thing we're all part of" - Joanna festival goer. Live music is in demand today and is constantly growing in demand. During these concerts / festivals the music creates intense emotions. In todays age people remember moments which is coincided with the music playing. A persons wedding song, the music they played on a road trip with best friends, a performance in a club, and many more life events that are heightened through music. These songs create an imprint on moments in-time like they are frozen. When we get to listen to that song again it is like the moment is being replayed in our minds. This neural nostalgia that brightens our day is a phenomenon that holds so much power over our emotions.

According to NME the top ten touring artists of 2018 were in order: Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Beyoncè and Jay-Z, Bruno Mars, Pink, Justin Timberlake, U2, The Rolling Stones, Kenny Chesney, and Journey & Def Leppard rounding out the leaders respectively. Most of these artists have been around for 10+ years and are standing the test of time. While their new music shines, fans see these artists for their early 2000s hit like Justin Timberlake's "sexy back", Beyonce / Jay-Z's "Crazy in Love" and the all the classics that The Rolling Stones have to offer. Our brain craves these songs because of the neural nostalgia that it brings. These songs stimulate certain areas of the brain and gives us a hit of dopamine when our brain is stimulated. "When it comes to the relationship between nostalgia and music, something researchers know for sure is that the music we listened to as teenagers will continue to be incredible influential on us for the rest of our lives." (Gillespie). These songs are so influential on us because they are imprinted on our brains. We listen to them during our volatile and fragile coming of age years. "Your brain develops during these years, and so it stands to reason that the music you listened to as a teenager becomes quite literally formative."(Gillespie.) These years are about discovery and growth, it makes sense that it has the most impact. These years are exciting, they overflow with discovery and monumental moments, and the music that plays in the background of these moments become the soundtrack of our lives.