In this episode we explore the transformational joy of the live music experience with fellow concert fan, international speaker, PGA professional and guitarist Ty Thompson. This was a fun one, my fellow concert fans. We connected with Ty to talk about why live music forever changed his life as a fan and artist. We dive into Ty’s inspiring insights and interconnected experiences as a PGA pro, live performer, Army veteran, and father. Enjoy the show!

Artist explore in the show:

• Michael Jackson
• Motley Crue
• Van Halen
• Toby Keith
• Alice Cooper
• Zach Bryant
• Dylan Scott
• Firehouse
• Johnny Cash
• Dianna Crawl

Live music is more than an escape. The concert experience can be an intentional quest for self-discovery, revelation and purpose. In this episode, we connect with fellow concert fan Leslie as she shares why, in 2022, she decided to embark on a 99 shows quest to find a deeper sense of healing, meaning and emotional clarity in the live music experience.

Explored during the show:

• Live music's impact on Leslie's childhood and upbringing
• Leslie's first concert experience, highlighting the importance of the venue, the audience, and the sense of community
• Leslie and Chris had a detailed discussion about Yoshi's, a sushi restaurant and concert venue in Oakland, California.
• The role of sensory elements like smell, touch, and sound in creating a memorable experience.
• Her story of a therapist's question, "What makes you happy?" left her struggling for an answer until she realized that music, especially live performances, brought her joy.
• She decided to commit to attending 99 performances to fully immerse herself in this happiness.
• Leslie's personal experiences with music and how it affected her mood and self-understanding.
• Why attending music shows, particularly jazz, folk, rock, and alternative genres, helped her reconnect with herself and rediscover parts of herself she had forgotten.
• The experience of attending shows was therapeutic for her, providing an opportunity to focus on her own emotions and thoughts.
• Why Leslie's experiences with music went beyond mere entertainment, playing a significant role in her personal growth and self-discovery.
• Her approach to the 99 shows journey: rules and personal guidelines
• Self-regeneration and socialization through music festivals
• Why her thirties were particularly challenging, causing her to lose touch with herself.
• Finding solace in reflecting on her experiences through writing articles.
• Wishing she would have seen Tupac live and reflecting on his legacy

Artist mentioned:

• De La Soul
• Talib Kweli
• George Clinton
• Tupac Shakur
• The Roots
• Dru Hill
• Slum Village
• Chico DeBarge
• Erykah Badu

In this episode we explore the live music experiences of singer/songwriter Brian Bertrand. This was a fun one, my fellow concert fans. We connected with Brian to talk about how he developed into a guitarist, the art of learning to play live, the different depths of community and intimacy when playing big stages versus small venues, and why growing up in a musical family forever changed artistic journey. We had a blast revisiting his most inspiring concert experiences which include a life-altering Pink Floyd show in Colorado, sneaking in to see early Styx in a high school fieldhouse in Chicago, and an unforgettable gig opening for REO Speedwagon!

Explored during the show:

• The influence family and siblings on his musical journey and guitar lessons from Sister Rose
• How covering other artists’ music live can help fans serendipitously experience healing, catharsis and comfort
• The significance of guitar design, player hand size, and the process of customizing instruments all matter and make an impact when playing live
• The art and importance of reading fan nonverbal communication and interaction during band performances
• Why his band takes stage setup inspiration from Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
• The satisfaction of seeing people sing their lyrics back and the need for artists to cultivate a sense of community with their fans, both during shows and through social media.
• A life-changing moment when they attended a Pink Floyd concert at the Mile High Stadium.
• How music can bring comfort, especially when it resonates with a person's life experiences or emotions.
• His love for deconstructing songs and his live music experiences.
• The use of AI and hologram technology to recreate famous artists and their performances.

Artist Mentioned

• Reo Speedwagon
• Pink Floyd
• Styx
• Emerson Lake and Palmer
• Subdudes
• Garth Brooks
• Glenn Phillips
• Jason Isbell
• Sweet Remains
• Rush
• Amy Winehouse
• Rod Stewart
• Corey Wong

In this episode we connect with New Jersey-native concert fans Stacy and DJ. Listen in as they share their love for live music, the role of concertgoing during their upbringings, and the history of the rocking concert scene in New Jersey. Join us as we explore their transformational, artist-hugging and butt-grabbing live music memories as they reflect on the impact of seeing Springsteen, Stone Temple Pilots, Pink Floyd and more!

Explored during the show:

• The unique connections formed between artists and fans. Why physical connections, such as a hug from an artist or a crowd holding up a punk rocker, can be powerful and how they can also be therapeutic.
• The potential loneliness and isolation felt by artists, even when they are surrounded by fans, and how these emotions can manifest in vulnerable performances.
• Live music regrets and our admiration for musicians who’ve died to early
• Sneaking into a bar to see a Reggae band and accepting a challenge to grab Springsteen’s behind.
• Being invited to sing on stage with the Stone Temple Pilots and why these encounters made them feel more connected to the artists they admire.
• Growing up with live music and family concert experiences in New Jersey
• The impact of seeing a Pink Floyd concert on Stacy in 1994 and how this concert deepened their bond with a friend and how it opened their eyes to the potential of live music.
• The dedicated fan bases of various bands, such as Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, and the Grateful Dead, and how these fan communities contribute to the overall concert experience.
• Community and the sense of belonging experienced at live music events. Forming connections with strangers at concerts and how these experiences have strengthened their bonds with others.
• The importance of sharing live music experiences with family and friends, including their children, and how these experiences create lasting memories.
• The connection between live music discovery and live performance

Artists mentioned:

• Bruce Springsteen
• Taylor Swift
• Edie Brickell
• Stone Temple Pilots
• Prince
• Dave Matthews
• White Stripes
• Grateful Dead
• Tom Petty
• David Bowie

In this episode we explore…The origins of concert merch and why we love (and need) to buy it. We dive into the history, behavior economics, community impact and social identity of buying merch at live shows.

Explored in the episode:

• The origins, history and significance of rock and roll and its impact on art, design, and merchandise production including Elvis’ and Bill Graham's influence.
• The concept of assigning a monetary value to unique experiences such as concerts and the merchandise associated with them.
• The concept of social identity theory and how it applies to concert fans and communities.
• Behavioral economics and its application in marketing and business.
• Why do some bands or individuals make more money from their merchandise after they pass away than they did when they were alive, as seen in the case of Elvis, the Beatles, Janice Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix.
• The impact of COVID-19 on the concert industry, focusing on the economic and emotional experiences of fans.
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs and is attending concerts a luxury or a need?
• Did the Covid-19 pandemic raise the economic and emotional demand for concert merch?
• The significance of wearing band merchandise and the connections it can foster among fans.
• The importance of understanding the connection fans have with their favorite artists and how this can create a strong sense of belonging within a community.
• The concept of social identity theory and its role in shaping an individual's self-concept through their membership in social groups.
• Does buying merch increase a sense of belonging?
• The different levels of fan commitment and investment in merchandise. Are super fans important community builders who help spread the word and embody the brand?
• The role of economics in the fan's identity cycle and the potential for bands to build communities and activate super fans through various strategies.
• Can you have concert merchandise addiction?

Info mentioned during the show:

• Behavioral Economics
• Social Identity Theory
• Social Identity Cycle
• Concert Fan merch trends via www.atvenu.com

Artist Mentioned:

• Elvis
• Johnny Cash
• Slipknot
• Grateful Dead
• Saul Williams

In this episode we connect with fellow concert fan, columnist and editor Holly Thomas. Join us as we explore:

• The UK live music experience and our shared passion for Freddie Mercury and Queen and dive into Mercury’s transcendent Live Aid performance.
• Holly’s first concert experience with her father seeing The Dixie Chicks when she was 10
• Holly’s memories seeing Fleetwood Mac at 24, with the show experience backdropped by an emotional breakup backstory.
• Witnessed live performances by Rihanna and Amy Winehouse at the Brit Awards and Lollapalooza. The anxiety they felt about Rihanna's well-being due to her party-filled lifestyle before the event.
• The tension and potential for magic when band members challenge each other, as well as the stress this creates for those in supporting roles.
• The influence of personal relationships and experiences on the music created.

Artists discussed during the show:

• Fleetwood Mac
• Amy Winehouse
• Beatles
• Rihanna
• The Chicks
• Freddie Mercury and Queen
• Mclusky
• Lady Sovereign

It’s finally happened. Our first Taylor Swift episode! Join as we explore Swift’s extraordinary Eras tour live shows, the fan concert experience and the Swiftie community with guests Dani and Olivia, co-hosts of the Taylearning podcast.

Olivia and Dani share their journey into becoming Swifties, their experiences with Taylor Swift's music, and the relationship between Swift and her fans. We explore the impact of Swift's music on different generations and her ability to connect women, particularly mothers and daughters. We speculated about potential surprise live collaborations, discussed the crazy ticket prices, and unpacked the emotional impact of Taylor Swift's music on her fans. They shared personal experiences at Taylor Swift's concerts and we explored transformative experiences for Olivia and Dani and other fellow fans.

Other topics explored:

• Would they get married at a Taylor Swift concert?
• What they learned from the memories from their first Swift shows
• The unique aspects of Taylor Swift's live music experience and the ever-evolving Swiftie fan community.
• The parasocial relationship between Swift and her fans and why that makes fans feel valued and cared for.
• Why and how Taylor uses her live performances as a form of therapy, and why hearing the song "All Too Well" live helped them process their emotions.
• What leads a fan to becoming a 'Swiftie' and if it’s triggered by attending a live show or buying merchandise.
• Could a collaboration with Harry Styles or a live duet with Selena Gomez happen? What would a live collaboration with Bob Dylan look like?
• Why Taylor's performances can't be replicated and their strong emotional response to hearing 'Would've, Could've, Should've', live.
• The unique nature of Taylor Swift fandom's communal activities such as trading friendship bracelets at concerts and how it’s similar to other fan groups like Dead Heads (Grateful Dead) and Little Monsters (Lady Gaga).

Notes and artists discussed in the episode

• Live Fix Podcast Episode 55: Can Live Music Be A Catalyst For Emotional Healing
• Taylor Swift
• Demi Lovato
• Harry Styles
• Selena Gomez
• Carly Rae Jepsen
• Grateful Dead
• Elvis Presley

In this episode we explore our deep appreciation for live music and its unique and profound ability to bring people together. We expressed gratitude for the therapeutic effects of live music and its ability to help individuals process difficult emotions and its impact on the younger generation. We share why we’re thankful to see parents exposing their children to concerts on social media, and how live music experiences bring people together, fostering conversations between parents and children. We explore a personal moment where we saw our son perform live, and why that was a transformative experience, redefining our understanding of joy and live music.

Chris shares his gratitude for the ability to reflect this year, particularly in relation to his work on The Community-First Company on a forthcoming book about community building. In the book, he revisits his earliest experiences of feeling belonging and community at a concert featuring Saul Williams in Chicago, during which he felt a unique connection with the audience and the performer. He shares why this moment influenced his leadership approach, inspiring him to help organizations build meaningful communities for their employees and customers.

We explore our thankfulness for the therapeutic effects of live music and its ability to reach places that traditional talk therapy might not, and that the unique experience of live music allows for a deeper exploration of oneself that cannot be replicated by simply listening to music.

We celebrate the imperfect nature of live performance and why it’s memorable and impactful, highlighting the raw vulnerability of the artist giving us an opportunity to appreciate an artist's growth and development, particularly in live performances.

Artist discussed in the episode

• Amy Winehouse
• Saul Williams
• Grateful Dead