I was thinking last night (which is sometimes a good thing, other times not so good) and the thought hit me to present you all with a list of reasons why you should make an effort to see a show in your area this summer. I have no idea where this will lead me. The number 10 is pretty much an arbitrary number I pulled out of the air, but I figure there are at least that many reasons to go to a show. So without further adieu, I give you….

Reason Number 10 You Need to See Some Live Music This Summer:

You cannot have this experience in your living room.

One might say, “I’d rather just listen to my stereo and not deal with the crowds.” Well, my friend, I say to you, “Go to a smaller venue then.” Nobody says that live music must be a body-smashing, crowd-fighting experience. I would wager that there are local bands in your neck of the woods that are playing some clubs, restaurants, or coffeeshops. Just because it’s not at an amphitheater doesn’t mean that the talent is lacking. The household names all had their starts somewhere, and if you make an effort to check out the talent in your area you’ll soon figure out the bands that have promise. Also, unlike sporting events where you can get a better look at the players if you’re watching it from your bigscreen, I believe that experiencing musical talent in person gives one a better appreciation for it than simply listening to the recorded versions. For me, at least, I find it easier to recognize the skill that goes into creating a piece of music when I can see the artists performing it right in front of me. It gives you pause when you can see the drummer and realize how many things he’s got going on all at once, watch the singer and hear how she stays in key, or see the guitarist’s fingers fly up and down the neck of the guitar. With our easy access to millions of bands via MySpace, and Guitar Hero and Rock Band making us all into miniature rockstars, it’s easy to think “meh, shmeh, another song.” But seeing music played in person gives me another perspective on it. I can understand why people spend their lives chasing it as a career. If it’s a rush for me to see them play, I can’t imagine how it must feel on their end.

And with that, I’m going to go see a show. I’ll see you guys tomorrow for the recap!