I'm a music fan.
A fangirl.
Almost Famous? That's my jam.
Every serious music lover feels like they are "better than the average fan."
You're singing along with every song. Not just the singles.
You aren't at the show to be seen or to look cool or to get laid.
You're at the show because live music gives you a high no drug ever could.
Goosebumps. Tears.
You're at the show because this is the only time you feel like you can truly be understood.
The only time you feel free.
Even with my inflated fan-ego, I have always thought there was something wrong with being "just a fan." It has always been my goal to be a part of the world inhabited by these people who fuel my passion.
But chasing what I thought was my dream to work a little closer to the magical music industry has made me realize there's nothing wrong with being a fan.
Musicians are just people. They are not gods. (No, not even Myles Kennedy) They are just really talented dudes or chicks who are lucky and blessed enough to play music for a living.
And now more than ever--they know they need to appreciate us.
The music industry is changing. Bands aren't making money selling albums.
SO--those of us who are dedicated enough to still buy CD's, road-trip to shows, buy shirts, or even spend a chunk of our paycheck to talk to a band for 60 seconds--we are the reason our favorite bands can continue to rock.
In the hard rock/metal world, Slipknot and Avenged Sevenfold might be the last bands we'll see that can fill arenas. Mid-sized venues are likely to end up being the name of the game. VIP events, meet and greets, and post-show signings are going to be necessary for additional revenue streams. These things are also a way to maintain fan loyalty in a world ran by social media, where there's no longer a flavor of the month, but a flavor of the second.
Artists are using social media to let fans "in" on their lives. Behind the scenes pics and videos have put a big hole in that wall that separated fans from the artists' locker room. Musicians realize they have to give us a little peek to keep us interested and loyal.
This ridiculous blog even lets me connect with artists and fellow fans of the music I love. That's pretty freaking sweet.
It takes more effort to support a band now than it did 20 years ago when all you had to do was buy a CD. Artists aren't on a pedestal of platinum records. Many of them probably aren't making that much more money than we are.
What if the music industry wasn't changing? If bands could still make millions on album sales alone, and didn't have to spend their afternoons meeting dorks like me instead of partying or sleeping or eating hummus (seriously--every tour rider EVER-- hummus)...would there be anything wrong with being "just a fan?"
No! It took me working at a concert venue to see that. A show is nothing without diehard fans. The bands making music for the right reason plug in and connect to the audience and know for that hour and a half, we are all part of this insanely cool family, connected in a way no one else in the world can understand.
I'm sure there are artists who don't get that. Maybe some of my favorites are just really good at faking. Maybe Myles Kennedy went backstage after one of the four times I saw him in 2014 and said--"That silly blonde girl with the tattoos was there again. What a goofball."
If that's the case, that's their problem, not mine. Life is too short to not embrace the things that make me happy. I'd rather be too passionate and give something all the love and appreciation I have to spare than to hold back and regret not enjoying myself. I've wasted too much of my life holding back.
I am going to start wearing my fan status proudly. I may feel kinda weird telling even a local band I loved their set...but I don't recall ever getting mad after being complimented. I'm sure dudes who can shred on the guitar feel the same way.
Fellow fans--we make the world go 'round for our favorite bands. But if you meet one of your idols: don't make it weird. Be cool.
Love,
Mrs. W.
A fangirl.
Almost Famous? That's my jam.
Every serious music lover feels like they are "better than the average fan."
You're singing along with every song. Not just the singles.
You aren't at the show to be seen or to look cool or to get laid.
You're at the show because live music gives you a high no drug ever could.
Goosebumps. Tears.
You're at the show because this is the only time you feel like you can truly be understood.
The only time you feel free.
Even with my inflated fan-ego, I have always thought there was something wrong with being "just a fan." It has always been my goal to be a part of the world inhabited by these people who fuel my passion.
But chasing what I thought was my dream to work a little closer to the magical music industry has made me realize there's nothing wrong with being a fan.
Musicians are just people. They are not gods. (No, not even Myles Kennedy) They are just really talented dudes or chicks who are lucky and blessed enough to play music for a living.
 |
| But, he's pretty damn close. |
The music industry is changing. Bands aren't making money selling albums.
SO--those of us who are dedicated enough to still buy CD's, road-trip to shows, buy shirts, or even spend a chunk of our paycheck to talk to a band for 60 seconds--we are the reason our favorite bands can continue to rock.
 |
| Hey Mark! Hey Scott! Hey Brian! Hey Myles! I just paid good money to wear my new push-up bra in front of you. |
In the hard rock/metal world, Slipknot and Avenged Sevenfold might be the last bands we'll see that can fill arenas. Mid-sized venues are likely to end up being the name of the game. VIP events, meet and greets, and post-show signings are going to be necessary for additional revenue streams. These things are also a way to maintain fan loyalty in a world ran by social media, where there's no longer a flavor of the month, but a flavor of the second.
Artists are using social media to let fans "in" on their lives. Behind the scenes pics and videos have put a big hole in that wall that separated fans from the artists' locker room. Musicians realize they have to give us a little peek to keep us interested and loyal.
Bands are saying, "hey, you are a part of our success...let's go on this journey together." Halestorm, specifically Lzzy, does an excellent job with this.
This ridiculous blog even lets me connect with artists and fellow fans of the music I love. That's pretty freaking sweet.
It takes more effort to support a band now than it did 20 years ago when all you had to do was buy a CD. Artists aren't on a pedestal of platinum records. Many of them probably aren't making that much more money than we are.
What if the music industry wasn't changing? If bands could still make millions on album sales alone, and didn't have to spend their afternoons meeting dorks like me instead of partying or sleeping or eating hummus (seriously--every tour rider EVER-- hummus)...would there be anything wrong with being "just a fan?"
No! It took me working at a concert venue to see that. A show is nothing without diehard fans. The bands making music for the right reason plug in and connect to the audience and know for that hour and a half, we are all part of this insanely cool family, connected in a way no one else in the world can understand.
I'm sure there are artists who don't get that. Maybe some of my favorites are just really good at faking. Maybe Myles Kennedy went backstage after one of the four times I saw him in 2014 and said--"That silly blonde girl with the tattoos was there again. What a goofball."
 |
| No, really, What a goofball. |
If that's the case, that's their problem, not mine. Life is too short to not embrace the things that make me happy. I'd rather be too passionate and give something all the love and appreciation I have to spare than to hold back and regret not enjoying myself. I've wasted too much of my life holding back.
I am going to start wearing my fan status proudly. I may feel kinda weird telling even a local band I loved their set...but I don't recall ever getting mad after being complimented. I'm sure dudes who can shred on the guitar feel the same way.
Fellow fans--we make the world go 'round for our favorite bands. But if you meet one of your idols: don't make it weird. Be cool.
Love,
Mrs. W.
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