Many New Year’s resolutions involve becoming healthier, but did you know that attending concerts regularly can increase your lifespan by approximately 9 years or longer?* Harvard Studies also conclude that healthy social relationships increase life expectancy and improve brain health.* So, why not combine the two? Join a Street Team!
Being social is highly important to our health, but aside from restaurants and bar hopping, social media and streaming services (both of which I use) have replaced a lot of the in person outings with friends. Concert going has become a social gem that still has value in our culture. Local bands play often. Many famous bands visit major cities two times a year - that’s more times than you see your childhood best friend who has kids and lives an hour away. Often times strangers at concerts may be seen more frequently than friends from high school or college. So, why not get to know them?!
Pick one local band and one big band. We all hear about supporting local artists. This is a way to genuinely put that into action. As an added bonus, you may discover previously unknown bands that make you happy. This also allows you to meet up with easily accessible local fans whom you jive with if need be.
Is this not "the face that launched a thousand ships?" wait- wrong reference... To paraphrase Henry Miller, musical camaraderie is how I am "always ecstatic" and "filled with a divine intoxication." Is this not an ecstatic face at a social gathering?
Being social is highly important to our health, but aside from restaurants and bar hopping, social media and streaming services (both of which I use) have replaced a lot of the in person outings with friends. Concert going has become a social gem that still has value in our culture. Local bands play often. Many famous bands visit major cities two times a year - that’s more times than you see your childhood best friend who has kids and lives an hour away. Often times strangers at concerts may be seen more frequently than friends from high school or college. So, why not get to know them?!
Pick one local band and one big band. We all hear about supporting local artists. This is a way to genuinely put that into action. As an added bonus, you may discover previously unknown bands that make you happy. This also allows you to meet up with easily accessible local fans whom you jive with if need be.
Is this not "the face that launched a thousand ships?" wait- wrong reference... To paraphrase Henry Miller, musical camaraderie is how I am "always ecstatic" and "filled with a divine intoxication." Is this not an ecstatic face at a social gathering?
Nitrous Subon of Germany, L.A. Woodside of where the road takes her, & Marc Katz of Chicago's awesome Bosstones cover band "Toxic Toast"
Not all bands have a street team, but there are alternatives. Along with the epidemic of tangible things getting replaced with technological or virtual outlets, social media fan pages have mostly replaced hitting the streets to post flyers for shows. The upside is that this is a simple, green friendly approach to advertising AND there is also an ease of access to potential friends when your favorite band(s) are not in town.
Camaraderie is crucial for happiness and getting through difficult times. Had a stressful day at work? Private message Tom from two towns over who also digs that local band. It’s midnight where you are? Message your bud from another country who loves that international alt rock group. Music is generally more emotional and accessible than say a long movie that slowly draws you in. You will be surprised by the depth of the friendships you make associated with musical acts. You will also be surprised at the benefits you receive.
Camaraderie is crucial for happiness and getting through difficult times. Had a stressful day at work? Private message Tom from two towns over who also digs that local band. It’s midnight where you are? Message your bud from another country who loves that international alt rock group. Music is generally more emotional and accessible than say a long movie that slowly draws you in. You will be surprised by the depth of the friendships you make associated with musical acts. You will also be surprised at the benefits you receive.
If you told me when I was a preteen that I would be offered an appearance in a 311 music video, I would have said "you’re full of it!" or that I wasn’t “cool enough,” but nope. That offer was my first gift from a Street Team. Was I too young and unable to get my parents permission to be in the video? Yup! But it’s okay. I am now immortalized as one of their fans on the cover of “Mosaic.” I say I’m doing pretty alright thanks to the 311 Hive!
More recently I had a craptastic 2018 like most everyone else, but boy did that card from New Politics put some pep in my step!
More recently I had a craptastic 2018 like most everyone else, but boy did that card from New Politics put some pep in my step!
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Other opportunities came from fellow fans turned friends on the Street Teams and fan pages. How fortunate am I to have hung out with the Stone Temple Pilots as a group and Scott Weiland individually before he passed away? That is impossible to do now, but thanks to my friends from their fan page I am exceedingly grateful that I got to meet my favorite performance artist (who is also my child’s namesake) before he passed away. Thank f***ing god!
When luck ran out in my life and I needed a place to stay due to health reasons, my friends of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones were the first to open their home to me- first even before people I knew nearly my whole life. When I had brain surgery, a band member messaged me that they were praying for me. There I was savoring my favorite band even after they said it was time to go; but I was not listening to it just because of the bliss of the music or the probable risk of deafness- I listened to be reminded of the love, support, and strength that my friends gave me; all friends that I met on a message board! Forget all the backstage passes, tickets, and discounts. A Street Team gave me peace of mind during my darkest time and they continue to refuel me throughout the year every year. You can have that too!
Other opportunities came from fellow fans turned friends on the Street Teams and fan pages. How fortunate am I to have hung out with the Stone Temple Pilots as a group and Scott Weiland individually before he passed away? That is impossible to do now, but thanks to my friends from their fan page I am exceedingly grateful that I got to meet my favorite performance artist (who is also my child’s namesake) before he passed away. Thank f***ing god!
When luck ran out in my life and I needed a place to stay due to health reasons, my friends of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones were the first to open their home to me- first even before people I knew nearly my whole life. When I had brain surgery, a band member messaged me that they were praying for me. There I was savoring my favorite band even after they said it was time to go; but I was not listening to it just because of the bliss of the music or the probable risk of deafness- I listened to be reminded of the love, support, and strength that my friends gave me; all friends that I met on a message board! Forget all the backstage passes, tickets, and discounts. A Street Team gave me peace of mind during my darkest time and they continue to refuel me throughout the year every year. You can have that too!
Be ecstatic. Live Longer. Promote your favorite band and local music. Your support network and happiness will increase along with your life expectancy! I hope all my fellow music nerds “live long and prosper” in 2019 - by joining a Street Team! Happy New Year!
1*news.o2.co.uk/press-release/science-says-gig-going-can-help-you-live-longer-and-increases-wellbeing/
2* www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/can-relationships-boost-longevity-and-well-being
1*news.o2.co.uk/press-release/science-says-gig-going-can-help-you-live-longer-and-increases-wellbeing/
2* www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/can-relationships-boost-longevity-and-well-being
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