Concerts. Expensive and crazy, but a whole lot of fun, these nighttime events have taken over the students of North Atlanta. Why do we choose to spend a ton of money while getting little to no sleep? The craze of this musical epidemic is because concerts transport you into an entirely new dimension of flashing lights, loud sound effects, and tons of people screaming together along to the lyrics of the best artists. A perk of living in Atlanta is having endless opportunities to hear singers big and small, whether you choose to go to Mercedes-Benz, State Farm, or the Coca-Cola Roxy.
Tate McRae, The Weeknd, and Treaty Oak Revival were recently big hits with lots of people from North Atlanta attending. Future concerts include Lorde, The Lumineers, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, and Ed Sheeran. In other words, there is a concert for everyone. By now, thousands of singers have gifted Atlanta with their presence. While no concert is a bad one, some are certainly better than others. “My favorite concert was definitely Shakey Knees,” senior John Echols said. “It was the best night of my life.”
The appeal to these events has a common factor: the celebrity artist is less than a few hundred feet away. From only listening to their songs through headphones or speakers to actually listening in person creates an effect that can only be understood if one attends these concerts. Social media gives everyone a view of how artists live and talk, but nothing beats hearing it yourself. “Being able to see my favourite artists live is jaw-dropping,” junior Walker McCaleb said. “I feel like I see them in a new way.”
Although many view them as worth it, concerts can be extremely pricey. Many people miss out on seeing their favorite singer perform live simply because they can’t afford the sky-high prices. Ranging from eighty dollars to thousands, not everyone can spare the expenses. Ticket resellers such as Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, and StubHub upcharge by hundreds to make a profit. Although mischievous and annoying, those who bought their tickets on presale can make extra pocket money by reselling tickets for what they paid. “I bought my tickets for 60 dollars and sold them for 150,” junior Ethan Whittenton said. “I wish I’d gone, but I made bank.”
Even though these life-changing and eye-opening experiences may drain your wallet and your sleep, the rush and thrill of the music flowing makes it all worth it. Atlanta’s venues make every show feel like you’re stepping into a world of just lights and sound, topped with energy pulsing through everyone else there. For North Atlanta students and fans of all types, these nights will last more than just hours; they will last for years, in memories.
