Music to create community

[James Bolivar]

The way I listen to music is to to observe it, question it, try to understand it, try to see the connections. Go to a contemporary music concert or a jazz club and this is how the audience behaves. We might like being in the same room as one another, but this does seem entirely incidental to the act of listening; we are alone together.

Reading this forum I find that some music fans want something else, they want the community spirit that comes from a band playing old favourites or the common heartbeat provided by a dance piece. This is both a revelation and a shock. Up until now, it honestly had not occurred to me to care what other people think of music - other than as away to get into an argument. This introversion extends to other things too; spectator sport is anathema to me, I just don't get the appeal. Obviously, I will never be able to join in, I'm just not wired that way, but it's nice to know.

So, thanks everybody for opening up my eyes to this.

[whisty]

Although I notice you didn't ask a question Mr Boilivar, I can't let the first thread I see you initiate go without any comments.

Unless you're writing, composing, producing, or playing music, there really is no need to analyse it in such a way. Just let yourself go and dance to the rhythms. I want to see you dancing at the old gits meet.

Dance Jamie B, dance.

[James Bolivar]

Whisters - thanks for the comment; it isn't the first thread I've initiated btw. I hear what you are saying, but, as I said, I'm just not built that way. I do dance, spastically and badly, but I dance, on my own. If I were young, I might be diagnosed as an Asperger's sufferer. As I'm not young, I just lack any empathy; I'm a c**t.

[russycarps]

I think there is a big differentiation between festivals and normal gigs

[Big Vern]

At Glastonbury we're up all night to get lucky.

[Zoo Music Girl]

I think you can have it both ways. I do anyway. Some bands I'd prefer to see on my own and experience in my own private way, as I said in another thread. Really pleased I'll be seeing The National for the first time alone, for example. At other times I enjoy the crowd singalong dynamic. This is more so the case at festivals. It's what made Blur work in 2009 and what will (hopefully) makes the Stones work.

Music is very personal though so I guess everyone has their own way of enjoying it. I find it depends on the my mood, the setting and the act.