As the year from hell draws to a close I gave some thought to what has been missing from my life. Live concerts/bands.
Let's face it, music is our escape from reality, it helps us cope with difficult situations and of course it evokes strong memories. We all know how you can be feeling 'ready to party' then suddenly a certain track comes on and your mood has changed in an instant.
Just think of some instances music can affect us
Lullabies - soothes a baby hopefully enough to sleep!
Love songs for couples
Calming or gets you pumped up ie running tracks.
Boosts your memory
Used for meditation
Improves mental health
Researches believe that listening to music causes effects on our moods and emotions because of dopamine, a hormone produced by the brain and is thought of as the chemical of pleasure.
I thought I'd test my memory to see how many bands I've seen live. There are plenty more that have escaped me but here are some and I can remember my first! Here goes.
Gary Glitter and the Glitter band
Heatwave (multiple times)
Roy Orbison
Tavares
30 Seconds to Mars ( X 3 )
Iron Maiden (several)
Gypsy Kings
Stevie Wonder
George Micheal
Bruno Mars
Dr Hook & the medicine Show
Pharrell Williams
The Real Thing
Lenny Kravitz (several)
Bobby Womack
Chris Cornell
David Essex
Simply Red
Pitbull
Of course, there was all the supporting acts too. In fact, when I went to see Tavares in Newcastle it was Heatwave who were the support group. They had only just had their hit single 'Boogie Nights' out and they were so AMAZING on stage the crowd didn't want Tavares to come on. I became Heatwaves biggest fan!
The late Chris Cornell was Lenny Kravitz's support act, and he was fantastic!
I know as soon as I press the 'publish' button for this blog I will start to remember others so I might add to the list.
If you have missed live bands during this horrible 2020 make a list, enjoy remembering and hopefully we will get to escape this world devoid of live music soon!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
