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person making a heart with their hands at a concert
person making a heart with their hands at a concert
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Temple | Life > Experiences

Concerts: My Safe Space in Sounds

Miraal Halim Student Contributor, Temple University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Temple chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Concerts are more than just live music; it’s a whole experience. From the minute that ticket is bought, the outfit is being planned, and the artist is on repeat. A concert is what you make of it; you are given every opportunity to get the most perfect outfit and learn all of the songs. They can also feel like a safe space for people, a place where everyone has common ground and nobody is judging you for singing your heart out or crying your eyes out. That’s how I typically look at it.  It’s a safe space for me. I can sometimes struggle with coming out of my shell and letting my personality flow but at concerts it’s easy. 

The first concert I ever went to was in 2017 for Sabrina Carpenter at The Fillmore, and though I don’t remember it as well as I wish I did, it opened my eyes to a whole new world. Most recently, I saw Renee Rapps’ Bite Me Tour in New York at Madison Square Garden. I have been telling everyone it was life changing, because it truly was. There is something so healing about scream-singing the songs by the artist you grew up with. There is not a single song by Renee Rapp I don’t relate to. She understands a part of me even I don’t. But it’s not just Renee; artists like Gracie Abrams, Taylor Swift, and Noah Kahan write for teenagers, young adults, and any people that feel things so deeply but don’t know how to vocalize it.        

Music has always been the most important thing in my life for me. It has always been something I have a really deep connection with. A few months ago, a close friend of mine made it apparent that the connection I have to music depicts the type of friend I am and my willingness to listen. I never thought anybody saw me the way I saw these songs. Even as I write this, I have my headphones on and I’m listening to music.  

Though going to shows and concerts is such a fun experience, it is becoming increasingly more difficult because of prices constantly on the rise. At venues such as Madison Square Garden, The Met, Xfinity Mobile Arena, and even The Fillmore, prices can go for up to $500 per ticket depending on the artist. Resellers aren’t helping this at all, especially for college students that lack the funds. Both Conan Gray and Louis Tomlinson just announced their tours, but because of the intense prices, I must sit this one out, which is okay because there will be more shows in the future.  

I have been asked a few times why I spend so much time and money on shows when I can just listen to music for free on my phone. It is a fair point, and using my phone to listen is something I do every day, but it just isn’t the same. Concerts are where I feel the most at peace; the weight on my shoulders gets lifted for a few hours, and I can just be. You also earn eternal bragging rights; I get to say “Right Now” by Gracie Abrams was my surprise song and that I heard “Take Me To Church” by Hozier live. As I write this, I just found out that Renee Rapp sang “The Wedding Song” in Austin, and so those people get bragging rights, and I am eternally jealous.  

Another point that has been brought up to me (that I think is quite funny) is that I have gone to more concerts than dates. And what about it? Who needs romance when you have good music and cute outfits? Anyways, clearly live music, and just music in general, means a lot to me and I think given the opportunity everyone should experience a live show at least once.  

Oh, and if for whatever reason Noah Kahan is reading this, you want to drop the album and tour so badly. 

Miraal Halim

Temple '29

Miraal is a freshman communication studies major at Temple and is a fashion and beauty staff writer.
She has been writing since she was very young and spent all of her high school years writing and being an editor for her schools newspaper. She is also a member of Tri Delta. One of the big reasons Miraal loves to write is to speak up for those who can't, if you have the platform, use your voice.
When she is not writing you will probably find her reading, listening to music (specifically sad girl songs), going to concerts all over Philly, watching the WNBA (shoutout Seattle Storm and Dallas Wings), watching Gilmore Girls, hanging out with friends, or baking cookies.