The most authentic sound of any city does not come from the sirens and rumble of the concrete jungle, but the heart and breath of the brass and strings within. On any trip into New York City, Boston, or whatever city you call “The City,” I look forward to the busking underground that keeps the heartbeat of the land alive. Why? It’s true, it’s real and it’s a pure message from them to me that music is the great connector of humankind. On the street, in concert halls and at stadiums, I live for live music. The University of Connecticut student body does too, more now than ever.
Generation Z is the experience generation. In a world where time doesn’t seem like a renewable resource, we want to live and we want to live well. Unlike past generations, we spend the limited money we have on events and adventures, not so many trinkets, items and souvenirs. Experiences not only allow us to see the world, but more so to connect ourselves with it. In the era of social media and what feels like an entire world of “virtual reality,” the youth yearn for real human connection. This is where the lust for live music I have found stems from.
The days of summer have come to their natural denouement and the cold has crept in. For any returning student at the university, the breeze is a reminder of the quiet that is to come. The lack of motivation to go outside, the seasonal sadness; it all leads to this muted atmosphere that can be lonely. When I walk around this brisk campus, I remember that music is the thing that keeps many people going, myself included. From talking to others about this, I’ve drawn a simple conclusion: The students at UConn yearn for some good old-fashioned live music. Further, live music is a lovely solution to the cold-weather blues. Live Music isn’t a foreign concept at UConn, it’s just hard to find in the colder months. Our local radio station, WHUS, holds their annual Sounds of Summer event in September to good crowds every year. SUBOG runs their uber-popular UCONNIC festival in early summer too, but we have to wait another 10 months to even feel like that is soon. There’s a reason the upcoming “Mojo Connecticut Music Festival” is a breath of fresh air and rather exciting for students. It’s something to keep the momentum of liveliness going as the darker months approach.
Truth be told, live music is a better use of time for university students than most other nightly activities that occur. There is no doubt that the ethos of frat culture in America is already seen as shady, but especially right now, going out to a fraternity party can feel unsafe and uncomfortable. Live music at UConn may just be the thing that students who are seeking a community at this time are looking for. At the frats, it can feel chaotic, overstimulating and confusing, especially when most are belligerently inebriated. At concerts, claustrophobia can ensue, but it’s all pointing in one direction. Everyone is everywhere, but with the same, knowable goal: enjoy the music. The focus on enjoying the experience allows for a safety net formed by semblance of a community.
While writing this article, I was fortunate enough to attend a Zach Bryan concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. High up in the stadium, I rejoiced in the fact that I was so far away from Mr. Bryan and his band, for as much as I go to concerts for music (duh), I go to concerts to rekindle my love for the human experience. Being so far back, I saw people of all ages connect with each other via invisible waves of sound in the air. A sold-out stadium emancipated themselves from troubles just for a few hours to subconsciously remember why we live.
I implore you to seek out live music when the human experience seems quiet and scary. Use your resources around campus: check what shows the Jorgensen Center for Performing Arts has to offer. I assure you that you’ll find something lovely in live music, from rock to jazz to classical. Seek out the myriad concerts UConn’s musical student body has to offer. Host parties with live music and invite friends over to play their work for you. Huskies, find live music and reconnect with living.