The Way it Connects Us

How live music brings people together feat. Jady

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of unexpected events and stress. I had a bunch of post ideas set in a specific order but, unfortunately, life had other plans. I found myself without power, water, and cell service for almost a week after a tornado hit right by my house. It disrupted my entire routine and all of my plans. So, instead of the entry I had in mind, we’re going to get a bit sappier than I intended.

I have been photographing live music for almost 3 years now. I have been performing my own music for a year. I have been endlessly going to concerts since 2019. And in that time, I have met some incredible people. I started going to concerts by myself just to have the chance to experience my favorite artists as a face in the crowd. Soon, though, I started using it as a way to expand my personal circle.

When standing in a room full of individuals all there to witness their favorite artist play, it means you already have at least one thing in common with each of them. Folks from different backgrounds, age groups, demographics, locations, hardships, talents, occupations, hobbies. Yet, for a short amount of time, you are a community. Working at the Rock Hall, one of our mission statements talks about the way music moves and connects us all. Some could say it is a cheesy slogan, but I truly believe and live by the sentiment.

Working with musicians like the band Jady, hailing from Columbus, it’s always intriguing to see how many friends we have in common. The opening act was a musician I had run into previously on multiple occasions, Zach Beaver. The guy running his sound just happened to be my friend, Cade. He was the first person I saw (quite unexpectedly) whilst entering the building and it made my whole night. Similarly, I walked out of the bathroom to see fellow photographer and friend, Bella (@bellarose_media), for the first time in months. She only realized I was there because her phone showed the wifi signal from my camera and saw my name pop up. I ran into so many other people from aspects in my life that I haven’t interacted with in years - people from my middle and high school years. On the opposite end, I stood next to two girls who flew in from Colorado just to see this show and had the time of their lives. I quickly became buds with the lighting designer, Ethan, and we chatted throughout the whole night about our careers and dreams. A single room of people all there to see the same performance was a constellation of friends, new and old to me. It’s amazing how that happens unintentionally.

A few years ago, I went to go see my favorite band, half alive in Columbus. There is an entire saga there involving letters, guest lists, and forgotten names. But, that is a story for another day. At this concert, a sweet girl my age wearing a mustard-yellow shirt helped me find the box office. Her kindness and demeanor stuck with me for some reason, maybe because her attitude and outfit reminded me of sunshine peeking through dark clouds on a stormy day. I watched her meet the band after the show and I couldn’t help but be so happy for her because she had shown me such quick kindness. A few years later, I return to that same venue to see that same artist and my friend and I are waiting in line, chatting with the people around us. The girl next to me starts talking about the last time she saw the band — 3 years earlier at this exact location. Except, that time she was in the front of the line and was able to meet them. Without hesitating, I immediately ask if she was wearing a sunflower-yellow shirt that night and her eyes widened. She was so confused how I could possibly know that. I said to her, “I was the girl trying to find the box office!” and she was immediately transported back to that day with me. We experienced the concert that night together and. made sure to exchange information before parting ways. We talked about music and what the band meant to us and haven’t stopped talking since. She is still one of my close friends to this day. We often exchange poetry, song ideas, and travel to see one another. So, Amber, if you are reading this (I know you are subscribed), I am so grateful for your kindness that day in 2019 and for your friendship in 2024.

Another connection that recently came back around was a very similar story. 2 years ago, I attended a Hippo Campus concert on my own in Cleveland. I found myself next to this college-age student who was also flying solo. I started chatting with him about the band and that led to chatting about life. He mentioned he was from Cincinnati and he was going to university in my city. The topic drifted towards the music scene and he mentioned his brother was in a band called The Wonderlands. We spent the rest of the night singing our lungs out and enjoying the show before parting ways without exchanging much information. I am not very good with names, so I have only remembered his face and those few facts about him. I never expected I would run into him again, but I did think about that interaction often.

A few nights ago, I ended up opening for The Wonderlands, now based out of Nashville, here in Cleveland. And suddenly I was getting closer to solving the mystery of who that person was. Upon meeting the band, I awkwardly asked if any of them had a brother that went to college here and if he also happened to like the band Hippo Campus (because I think I met him if they did.) We ended up deducing that it was the younger brother of one of the guitarist and he said his brother would actually be in attendance at the show that night. After our performances, I found him and approached him, saying, “This is probably going to be a deep cut…but were you at a Hippo Campus concert like 2 years ago and talked to a random girl in the crowd?” and his eyes lit up. He told me he had written my name in his notes app after that show so he wouldn’t forget it and he was wondering if he would ever see me again. He almost didn’t go to that show because he was too nervous to go alone, but instead he was glad because of our interaction. This time, we remembered to exchange information. It felt as though life had suddenly come full circle to that moment and I had solved an ongoing mystery in the back of my mind. Just two random people who met at a concert and bonded over the music, living separate lives, but always remembering the other because of that connection.

I could go on forever about stories of how friendships were formed over the love of an artist or venue or song. I have met some of my favorite people through this industry. It forces you to look beyond your immediate environment, step outside of your comfort zone. The bond created over a piece of art that speaks to the individual, yet makes the individual part of a community. That is something truly special.

So, the next time you go see some live music, I dare you to introduce yourself to a stranger. Maybe, they are just a friend you haven’t met yet.