When Will I See You Again?
Mom Jeans. Concert at the House of Blues.
December 30, 2022
The feeling of getting ready, putting on the perfect outfit, and blasting the artist’s music before going to the concert can be a life-changing experience because the suspense before a concert makes the overall experience more memorable. When you finally arrive and see the crowds waiting in line to enter the stadium, everyone around you shares the same common interest in music. Fans around the arena are taking pictures and posing for their Instagram, creating positive energy all around. Finally, the stadium is packed and you see your favorite artist walk down the stage. The music plays and the crowd grows wild. Time is almost nonexistent while at a concert. Once it all is over, what do you do now?
Although it may not be an official medical term, post-concert depression is a very real feeling. The countless months of build-up and excitement to see your favorite artists ending in one single night can be very emotionally damaging. Once the stage goes quiet and it’s time to go home, that thrill becomes a distant memory.
With COVID-19 restrictions becoming more lenient, artists are comfortable to resume their concerts. Since quarantine, artists and groups like Olivia Rodrigo, BTS, Tyler the Creator, and many more have rapidly gained popularity. Fans heavily anticipated their tours as these were the artists who helped get them through such a crazy year. Concerts were in high demand everywhere for fans because many people seek in-person experiences after the lonely COVID lockdown had finally ended. Live Nation shares that they have sold more tickets this year than they did in 2019 (Digital Music News). After months of isolation, fans await these concerts. Katie Ruoo (10) explained, “What was most enjoyable about going to a concert after COVID was the energy from the crowd. Everyone was so excited, and it made the overall experience amazing.” After months of not being able to go out, concerts are a great way to appreciate things the way they are now.
Post-concert depression is not a feeling of disappointment from the concert but rather a feeling of nostalgia. Looking back at the videos and memories of such a fun time suddenly feels like a long time ago. Seeing your favorite musician live is a rare experience, which makes you miss it even more. Music provides an escape for some people. They use it as a mechanism to cope, so seeing it performed live makes the experience even more meaningful. Concerts bring a new personal experience to music that cannot be replaced. Being able to see music performed live adds new respect for the artist.
Through stages of post-concert depression, fans may experience excitement, realization, and acceptance. Once the concert ends, the adrenaline is still running and you still feel in the moment. The glory and joy from the concert are still there. You can still imagine your favorite singer performing your favorite songs and dancing along with everyone else. Next thing you know, it is all over. This is the stage of post-concert depression that most people refer to. You re-watch videos of the concert, longing to feel this way again. Merely listening to the artist’s music online does not feel the same anymore because the live performance is rare, raw, and was your own experience. You feel nostalgic for the joy you felt at the concert. Finally, you reach the acceptance stage. Whether this is simply getting over it or waiting for them to go on tour again, you accept the concert has already happened.
