I had a long talk today with my best friend India in regards to life tonight, which severely inspired me to write this blog.
There is nothing more beautiful to me in this world than attending a live show and being with people who all share a common purpose and common love in life. You’re there to see a band you enjoy, and to get the full live music experience. A good show leaves you full of adrenaline, happiness, and is an amazing outlet for your frustrations and feelings (maybe I leave all mine side stage?). Which leads me to a dilemma — what is it with all the hate between fans?
Let’s face it, we’re all fans. You go to a show, you’re with other fans. The band and band crew are music fans (trust me, if we weren’t we wouldn’t be in this industry — it doesn’t pay well enough to work in it if you don’t love the ever living shit out of it). It bums me out when I see people sharing a common interest fighting over what amounts to really nothing.
You’re all there because you love a band, so love the band, and fucking respect each other. Don’t throw someone on the damn ground, if someone gets knocked over you pick them up. Nobody gets left behind on the good ship lollipop.
There is nothing I love more than a good live show. So much in fact that I refuse to date anyone who doesn’t make me feel even the tiniest ounce of what I feel when I’m watching a band execute their songs live on stage. I want them to be my very soul, the air I fucking breathe. My life would cease to exist if I didn’t have music, and my passion for it.
Let me give an example right now, the most recent one that comes to mind. Last week, for the first time ever, I saw the band Mushroomhead. It’s not a band I had particularly planned ever seeing, but getting to meet them before the show definitely enticed me to watch and pay attention. And let me tell you — holy fucking shit. These guys are not only immense gentlemen, who treat their fans with such respect that it gives me hope for this industry, but they put on an incredibly stellar show that made me cherish every minute of their fourteen song set and left me with that warm feeling you only get after being with someone (or something!) you love. I will now forever be a fan thanks to that amazing performance.
In the same regards, aside from fans respecting each other, I firmly believe that band and crew need to respect the fans. These people put you there, they make your (usually shitty) paychecks, they let you keep doing what you love to do. I know that I love every single fan of my friends. You guys let my friends and myself do what we love day in and day out. Your passion is a driving force and inspires me every single day, and I’m proud to be a fan next to the rest of you even when I’m behind my merch table or crunching numbers in the green room. You guys make me fucking proud and I applaud each and every one of you, and give you an e-hug for everything you’ve given me.
I do have to say that I think fans need to respect the bands they love as well. Don’t go just walking onto someone’s bus (I’ve seen it happen). You wouldn’t just wander into someone’s home, would you? Most of all respect each other. No band enjoys stopping their set to stop a fight that’s happening because someone had to be an asshole for no reason. You guys share a common interest, a common love, use it to unite and let’s try to save these bands from going broke and not being able to tour anymore. Just hug that shit out.
I have met the most amazing people through music, at shows, whether I’m attending or working. Some of the most passionate people in this world, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
LIVE & LOVE.
XO,
Molly Murder
Catch me on the road with Black Heart Vacancy coming soon to a city near you!