The Problem with Live Music

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Like most human beings, I am a music fan. I like listening to it, and I like to see it performed. But recently something has been going on at live shows that has bothered me.

In the past few years, I have had the chance to see several bands perform that I really loved and anticipated. They had good sounds that I assumed would translate well to the live space; yet when I saw them, I found the experience deflating.

Conversely, I have seen several bands that I had never heard of previously, but found their live shows incredibly satisfying.

Now, why would I enjoy seeing a band I had never heard of—some in genres I don’t even listen to—and yet find the performance of bands I am fully in love with dissatisfying?

I’ve pondered this long and hard and came up with this answer: it’s all about experience and expectation. The bands I know and love already occupy a huge part of my brain. I’ve built enormous, ornate shrines to them. When I hear their music, elaborate videos play in my head. Sometimes it’s a soundtrack to my dreams, sometimes I’m in the band. I’ve already co created an awesome mental experience that goes along with the music. It’s like a movie, except I’m creating it and controlling it. And starring in it, for that matter.

In light of this, I have to say, I feel a little sorry seeing these bands. How can they possibly compete with what’s going on in my head? My brain is the most perfect, powerful and eternal stage that ever existed—for me. Your brain is the same for you. How can these bands possibly live up to that? They can’t. Sure, once in a while an awesome act will impress me, but what’s going on in my brain is a very hard act to follow.

On the other hand, these new bands that I hadn’t heard of before or had very limited exposure to—they are the ones that usually impress me. They don’t yet live in my brain. They are a totally new experience for me, and seeing and hearing them live builds brand new neuropathways, and therefore, affords a more pleasurable experience.

Strange, but it makes sense to me now. Tempering expectations is always a wise move when approaching your idols--now I have even more reason to do so.