I have been thinking about this for a while, but after Jurgen Klopp made comments post game about the Anfield crowd, I was inspired to write this down. “I was not overly happy with the atmosphere behind me. I wondered what they wanted. We need Anfield on Saturday. We need Anfield on their toes without me being in an argument with their coach or whatever. If you’re not in the right shape, give your ticket to someone else.”
Have you ever been to a live event where the crowd was so in tune that you felt like you were part of something bigger than yourself? Where the history, culture and atmosphere of the venue and the performers combined to create a unique and unforgettable experience.
Live events are not just about watching or listening to something. They are about participating, interacting, engaging, and co-creating. They are about being more than a spectator, but a contributor.
Some people go to live events for the wrong reasons. They go because they want to be seen. They go because they are sold on the atmosphere, but they don’t realise their role in creating it. They go because they want to be spectators, not contributors. They go because they want to consume, not create.
I can’t help but think back to watching Liverpool’s historic win against Barcelona. I was stood next to my Dad, but that night more than many others, we were a part of Anfield. The crowd reacts to every moment: every goal, every save, every tackle, every foul, every corner, every free kick, every substitution, every injury, every whistle, every minute, every second. The crowd is not just watching the match, they are living it. They are influencing it. Football is not a reality TV show packaged by Sky Sports, but a living, breathing experience that you are part of.
The same can happen with music. I remember going to Grime events in the early/mid 2010’s when it was losing popularity and in small pockets really starting to go back to its authentic roots. The crowds were smaller than they used to be, but fully engaged and part of what makes the music unique. However, I’ve seen the same music when the crowds get bigger, more diluted, and the people don’t play their part. What if the crowd is there because they heard Grime is cool, or because they got free tickets, or because they have nothing better to do? What if the crowd is passive, detached, or disruptive? What if the crowd is killing the vibe, or more likely not creating it?
I am not here to gate keep. However when these events and experiences are at their best, there is nothing comparable. You are a contributor, part of a community or a movement. Go for the culture and the atmosphere, but play your part.