When I was seven years old, I went to my first concert with my best friend at the time. It was the Paramore “Self Titled” concert, and I was so excited because I really liked that album. My friend was a very outgoing and energetic person, and we both were big fans of this band. I specifically remember her screaming the lyrics at the top of her lungs as the group performed. Even though I was really looking forward to the concert, at the time, music didn’t mean much to me. I just thought that music was something that you could turn on in the car to break the silence.

Initially, I was surprised by how many people attended the concert and how loud it was. I was also mesmerized by the energy of the artists and the crowd. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the experience as they smiled, sang, danced along, and waved their hands in the air. About halfway through the show, the lead singer took a moment to share some of her thoughts with the crowd. She expressed how grateful and lucky she and the members of the band were to be able to perform for others and to create a space where people could be themselves. I looked around as everyone enthusiastically cheered, and I noticed how diverse the audience was. There were people of all different ages, races and ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, and unique fashion styles, but we all came together to enjoy the music. I noticed that music had a deeper meaning and the power to unify people.

When I returned home, I was inspired to learn more about music. My brother had a book called Rolling Stone’s 500 Best Albums of All Time. It was filled with albums from the 1960s to the early 2000s. The morning after the concert, I spent the entire day in bed reading the book. I had a small pink iPod nano, and I downloaded all the albums that I found appealing. I spent days listening to different genres of music, including rock, pop, hip hop, and R&B. Each band had a unique sound and included profound messages in their lyrics. The genres of music were very diverse, and I began to understand that music is a form of self-expression. I also realized that music can serve as an avenue to address controversial issues. Since the moment I witnessed how music could bring people together, it has had a significant impact on my life and become an important part of who I am.

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