Day 11 - To all corners of the room
It's the night that David Bowie has died, and every page online is filled with dedications and posts honouring the legacy of an iconic musician. It's the power that honest music has on people.
While I can't say I was a massive David Bowie fan, I understand the impact music can have on people's lives because music constantly has an impact on mine. It's more than just words and notes.
My favourite thing about music is the way you can feel lost in it all. Sometimes it's like a trance, where you feel like you're floating in the space of your mind and are just lost in the moment of sound.
One of the best concerts I've ever been to was for Anberlin back in the winter of 2013. It was a sold out gig in a small but iconic gig bar, where all five members of the band were crammed onto one tiny stage, and the speakers were literally less than a metre away from my ears. It was hot, sweaty, loud and an amazing gig. Even though I was probably a couple of arm's length reach to them, Anberlin sung to all corners of the room - and the room sung back.
When they were about to play the last song of the night, the lead singer Stephen stopped everyone and told the room how it was one of the most energetic gigs that they had ever been to in a while. But there was just one thing - there was no barrier between us in the crowd and the band themselves. We were literally at their feet. 'Why has no one gotten onto the stage to join us?' he asked.
Next thing I know, because I'm so near the front, I and all the people beside are climbing onto the same stage as Anberlin rock out 'A Day Late'. I looked down at the crowd to see my friends, who I waved at, and then looked at the entire gig in front of me. People had their arms around each other singing, the band were putting passion into every note they played, the clapping was contagious - quite frankly it was all a bit nuts. But the crowd became one, with the music getting everyone throwing their bodies and mosh to each lively guitar note. We were alive, united, and lost in the music.
The powerful effect on music is almost indescribable. Whether you're David Bowie, or a band with their audience packed onto their own stage - music can carry our minds to places and make us feel emotions like no other medium.
"There, in the chords and melodies, is everything I want to say. The words just jolly it along. It's always been my way of expressing what for me is inexpressible by any other means." - David Bowie.
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For the month of January 2016, I'm writing 31 personal stories about things in my life I'm thankful for. See all my posts during my month of thankfulness here.
