Half-full pint glasses and all-forgotten cell phones sit comfortably on the surface of picnic tables as a new set begins inside. At a venue across town, groups of people stand huddled in line between metal barricades, fueled by the hypnotic pulsing of four-on-the-floor beats.
In the garden of a Parisian jazz bar-turned-techno club, conversations are held through the thin veil of smoke and in between the gaps of language: mending broken French with English, Italian, and Dutch.
On the porch, a group of recent high school graduates from the Netherlands speaks ad nauseam about their adventures backpacking, or “vakanie na de eindexamens” (vacation after final exams).
An intimate concert space in Orlando puts on a battle of the bands, and across the pond, the strums, shouts, and shocks of young musicians grow louder with each downward step into the basement of an East End pub.
Although separated by oceans and borders, there’s a core element that connects all music venues, regardless of genre or specialty. The throughline that courses over these spaces is largely attributed to the people who inhabit them, making it uniquely theirs and opening up to the possibilities of a new experience.
Music, particularly local live music scenes, continuously serves as an invitation for young people to unite under a common interest.
Many showgoers are attracted to the authenticity and spontaneity these locations offer, in conjunction with low entry costs, which set the stage for a naturally enticing environment.
FANDOMS SHAPE THE PERFORMANCE SPACE
One of the best parts of visiting a new spot for the first time is taking in its quieter details. Graffiti is a motif that decorates nearly every music venue I’ve visited. Signatures, social media handles, stickers, and short phrases blend into a contemplative tapestry, echoing a single fascination: the desire to be remembered.
Through their actions, showgoers renounce a piece of themselves to these venues, while simultaneously adding a tangible expression of their personality to an ever-evolving atmosphere. These “cultural artifacts” serve as valuable reminders of the lifecycle of public spaces and offer insightful glimpses into those who give it identity.
Community exists at the center of every cultural movement, and music is no exception. Take genre-bending acts like Black Country, New Road, or black midi, which were born from the eclectic “Windmill scene.”
Riot grrrl? Thank the underground punk scene of the Pacific Northwest. Techno? Pioneered by the Black community to cultivate that signature kick drum that traveled from Detroit all the way to Europe and back.
In an age of subscription streaming and selectively clipped Boiler Room TikToks, the need to go out and discover new music for yourself may seem virtually obsolete. Why make the effort when you could have the next new artist hand-picked and served through your screen in a couple of scrolls?
For some, it might not be worth all the trouble. In all fairness, there have absolutely been nights when I’ve gone out to hear a new act and been sorely disappointed.
But for every occasional letdown, there has been an onslaught of unforgettable performances, new experiences, and forever friendships.
Fandom, people, are the lifeblood that binds these communities together.
THE BEDROTTING EPIDEMIC & SPICING UP YOUR LIFE
On and off social media, I’ve been hit with the notion that Gen Z simply doesn’t like to socialize, let alone party. While saying you don’t see Gen Z outside probably just means you’re in the wrong places, I can admit that, at first glance, I do sympathize with older generations who take this claim at face value.
Bed rotting, the comfortable practice of staying in bed for extended periods of time, often hidden under the guise of self-care, is one of the main perpetrators of this perception. In fact, nearly a quarter of Gen Z have reported participating in this habit, according to a 2024 survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
It’s no secret that Gen Z suffers from increased loneliness compared to previous generations, likely exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and an overreliance on social media.
However, Gen Z isn’t the only one who’s feeling this wind-down in social gatherings. In fact, as of 2023 alone, only 4.1% of Americans, across all generations, attended or hosted a social event on an average weekend or holiday, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As the Spice Girls once put it: “When you’re feelin’ sad and low / We will take you where you gotta go.” “People of the world / Spice up your life.”
Where academic and professional conventions easily slip into mundanity, something as intuitive and unpredictable as live music, for instance, becomes an obvious outlet for those looking to break routine and spice up their lives.
The importance of punctuating our customary patterns with opportunities to connect is vital to preserving culture, art, and self-expression.
Enter music venues, theaters, clubs, and all types of spaces that not only expand on these customs but also encourage new dialogue between people from all backgrounds.
HOW DO I FIT INTO THE BIGGER PICTURE?
In 1986, the Beastie Boys released their debut studio album Licence to Ill, founded on the principles of rebellion, partying, and freedom. Their iconic track (You Gotta) “Fight for Your Right” (To Party!) became a youth anthem that defined its time period.
In the face of burnout and fatigue, it’s important we do just that. It’s our responsibility to keep third spaces like music venues alive, especially those that allow the chance to press pause on the world around us.
When traveling, never miss out on an opportunity to dip into a rock bar, jazz club, or pub show. Whether it’s EDM, disco, or classical, these experiences offer just as much cultural education as typical sightseeing. A good musical education is priceless, and it’s our job to contribute to its development.
We can’t be remiss at the lack of third spaces when we aren’t willing to contribute to them. Support local artists and cultivate a community outside of your ordinary hotspots.
Say yes to the backyard house parties and independent venues. Fight for your right to end the night with blistered heels, five new Instagram mutuals, and a DIY T-shirt from the merch stand.
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