I Will Leave the Light On - 5 Reasons Why I Love Le Youth

What is it about music that can take our breath away??

What is it about hearing something that can transport you someplace else? To a different dimension that even our minds can’t comprehend.

Even more so, there is something that happens when you feel connected to the music on some personal level, and perhaps in some shape or another, the artist who created it.?

Le Youth and his music does that for me.?

But first...

THE BACKSTORY

Sometime last year when Emily and I were in the car heading somewhere, I started to put on some music. I had been getting into more and more EDM (Electronic Dance Music) ever since we began dating. It’s her favorite genre of music and has helped her heal and grow in so many directions. She grabbed my phone and began searching, “Here, I think you’ll like this.”?

This was my introduction to Le Youth's music.

At the end of this past summer, I went to my first music festival. North Coast, located in a suburb on the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois, is three days of a variety of electronic music performances, vendors, and various activities to participate in. I wasn’t sure how I’d like it, or if I would, but I knew inside that I had to give it a try, because I never have done this before, and I am one who believes you can't say you don't like something until you try it at least once for yourselves; and because I knew this meant a lot to Emily. When I heard Le Youth was among the artists lineup, I felt more encouraged to go! Looking back, I loved it and glad that I said yes!

A few months later, in early October, we heard Le Youth was going to be in town doing a show in Minneapolis, so we went to that too.

Both these being in person experiences at the festival and then the show, led me to reflect on the reasons why. Of course, there are more than just five, but I thought I'd start with these.

#1 Be Open to Anything

You never know what will happen. By being open to anything as it presents itself, you just never know what new experiences, lessons, perspective you might gain, or people you might meet.

During Le Youth's set at North Coast, I saw this die-hard fan, looking so happy and enthralled by everything. Singing out loud every song lyric. I thought to myself, "How cool would it be to make a friend with him." Even if we never meet again, right now, at this moment, I can give him props for showing up as he is.

I trust in the process, that when you share love out in the world, you will receive it back ten-fold. You will make others feel seen, heard, cared for, and just by doing that, they too will feel safe to do the same for you! I know this doesn't always happen, but in my experience, ever since I've made this a basic principle of mine, it has.

As I like to say and remind others, "Live for the surprises."

#2 Love Like You Never Have Before

• Le Youth made us feel loved and cared for. Kept on coming out into the crowd. Jumped off the stage and worked his way into the crowd. He even finished the set out in the crowd, as the record continued to spin, and the next artists prepared. I've never witnessed a show quite like this.
• We met Dougie while hanging out at the Renaissance Festival with some friends. We were told that he liked going to shows and listening to EDM music too. Emily and I got to talking and he asked us if we were going to Le Youth? YES!!! Before the night of the show, I kept in contact with Dougie and though we only met him once so far, inside we felt like it'd be fun to hang out with him at the show. I didn't know that we would arrive when we did and run into my cousin Nick too! Turns out, Dougie and Nick knew each other, and the night already got better, even before it had begun! Love spreads...when we choose for it too.
• Embrace others, AS THEY ARE.?In the world we live in, there are so many of us who feel divided. Either by choice or by being chosen, it seems people find it difficult to trust and believe in others, to even simply be accepted. Being introduced to this music community through Emily has taught me this is a space that takes pride in caring for each other, as is. There is a saying "PLUR." PLUR is an acronym that stands for Peace, Love, Understanding, and Respect. Though I have always felt this is a pedigree to my make-up for who I am, I have had to time after time, learn how to truly apply this. When I get into these spaces, a part of me wonders and judges' others for who they are, or who I may quicky assume they are. Fortunately, more recently, this voice has gotten less and less prominent and have remained much more open to learn and love as they are.
• Pay it forward. Emily is so good about loving others in these spaces. It's always fun to see her bouncing around. I've watched her give away plastic ducks, exchange kandi, she worked many hours to make, to give it to someone else. If you didn't know Kandy are the bead and charm bracelets worn on the show-goers, artists, even sometimes staff at the music venues and events. There is a sort of positive ritual that happens with these. It was during the Le Youth shows I got out of my shell to say, and exchanged kandi and gave away some ducks. It felt good to make someone else feel like we cared about them.
• I should also note, choosing to love ourselves as we are too, is part of the #2 reason.
• Lastly, I got lots of hugs that night, but was surprised when I got a kiss on the forehead from Le Youth. I felt honored and seen, and I hope he did too!

#3 Breathe

Breath is the most important thing being human. As I've heard great teachers say, "It is the one constant we have in this lifetime." When I listen to Le Youth's music, I feel my breath is calm. Even if my heart is racing, and we're dancing to the bumping beats, there is a calmness that engulfs me as well as in the atmosphere I find myself in.

#4 Feel it. Live it.

• Being present, taking it all in, however you choose to, that's feeling it and that's living it.
• This is more of a call to action to practice this and see what you will feel.

#5 Be Grateful

• I love his music. I love that he creates as he does. I am grateful to have been introduced and exposed to this artist, from Emily.
• I am grateful that we share this kind of love for the music, community, and people.

CONCLUSION

Le Youth music speaks to me, but I had no idea why until I sat down to think about it.?I do not know who he is personally, but seeing him rocking out behind the turn table, pumping his fists and arms, providing hugs, and kisses, jumping…higher and higher, climbing out into the audience, singing along with the lyrics, all while shooting off bubbles into the air.?

Before leaving, Emily made sure to stick around to grab a photo with him. He smiled and told us he noticed us tonight. He was so kind and caring, reminding us to all get home safe, as he gave us hugs. I told him, "Thank you, and I will leave the light on."

Le Youth, and his music, is an example of how I am choosing to live and how I love. Perhaps it will do the same for you.?

Le Youth is fondly referred to as “the people’s DJ” by his most loyal fans, Le Youth is unapologetically himself and fearless when challenging the status quo. His debut album Reminders was released in May 2022 and since its release has gone on to be streamed over 22.1 million times. Le Youth has firmly established himself as a creative force and just announced his anticipated sophomore album, ABOUT US, releasing on September 29, 2023. (as written in About the Artist, Spotify profile) https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Zz6NBe8UIZjm88TvehFtx?si=7RnLEdXBQ9erpa_ViGS-pw