The joy of a music festival

I’ve always loved live music. There is something, for me, about how the music makes you feel, the sound reverberates through my body and I can’t stand still. I love the closeness of being with other people when you share a love for the music. It’s just not the same watching a concert on TV.

I remember going to Reading Festival in 1974, I can’t recall seeing ‘old’ people there. Now there are people of all ages from children to those older than me. A wonderful shared experience. I took my children to Glastonbury in 1992, it was easy to get tickets back then.

Bands still play the classic rock we listened to ‘back in the day’. These are the songs new musicians learn and use to hone their musical skills. People like to hear familiar music and it leads to nostalgia. Much contemporary music is often influenced by these classic rock tracks. ?

Last week was the first of three festival weekends.

Minety festival was small (2,000 people) and less than an hours’ drive away.?We camped, but used camp beds rather than an airbed and carried chairs some of the time. Both are changes I hadn’t expected to make, but they helped me to be more comfortable and the chairs didn’t stop me dancing and I only took them when I knew I was going to be near one of the stages for a few hours.

EMF played on the Sunday evening; there is so much more to them than ‘Unbelievable’ and I was down the front, dancing with my hands in the air (like I just don’t care!).

And I don’t care.

The older I am, the more I want to be me.

This includes live music and gigs where I listen (and dance) and ignore any companion who wants to talk.

I had wonderful conversations with people; a couple turned out to be musicians, who knew? I love the random conversations we have with others. In the supermarket yesterday I got talking with a man who used to cut the hair of the EMF band members, who hail from the Forest of Dean, close to Gloucester.

When I think about descriptions for different personas, part of me is certainly the Festival Enthusiast:

The Festival Enthusiast:

Age has not dampened her spirit or love for music festivals. She's a fixture at local gigs, concerts, or music festivals, enjoying everything from rock to electronic dance music. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious. Dancing, meeting new people, and discovering new artists and bands - these are the things she lives for. Her love for music goes beyond just listening, it's about the shared experience and community that music events offer.

Tomorrow I’m off to 2000 trees, this time I’ll be able to sleep in my own bed as it’s only 12 miles from home. A much bigger festival, think closer to 20,000 people and more alt rock than covers bands. ?The week after I'm in Torquay (the luxury of sleeping in a hotel) for a Drum n Bass weekend with Pendulum.

Is music your thing? It could be more classical?

The Classical Music Lover:

He has a deep appreciation for the complexity and beauty of classical music. This may extend to opera, symphony, or chamber music. You'll often find him at a concert hall or an opera house, immersed in the works of composers from Bach to Beethoven. He may play a classical instrument himself, or enjoy reading about the rich history and theory of this music. This love for classical music forms an integral part of his lifestyle and cultural experiences.

And both could be true for you.

Or something else? There are so many interests we can follow throughout our life - fitness, art, reading, tech, animals, food,

I’d love to hear any thoughts/ experiences on this.?

Dr Denise Taylor is a Chartered Psychologist and Vision Quest Guide, specialising in retirement transitions and elderhood. Regularly featured in the media, she is the author of 8 books including Find Work at 50+ and Now You've Been Shortlisted.

My next book – Rethinking Retirement for positive ageing will be published by Routledge in November 2023

• Award winning coach with Amazing People
• Working with people at 50+ - The 50 Plus Coach
• Finding meaning, nature-based retreats and retirement– see Denise Taylor website