The headline should pretty much sum it up - and it sounds obvious. Without their fans, bands and musicians wouldn't get very far in their career. As a music fan, you keep the artist in demand, you're the one who attends their gigs, you're amongst the many buying their CDs and you're the chump who'll spend fifteen quid on a T-shirt you could of made better yourself. (But yes, this is my favourite tee and yes, I'll wear it till it rips.)
With twitter you can send a message to your favourite musician and they can reply, should they want to. Every so often there's 'meet and greet' sessions like the ones HMV host or the NME signing tent at Reading and Leeds. NOTE: When meeting 'love-metal' band HIM in HMV many, many years ago the singer was an ignorant git. When meeting MGMT in the NME signing tent, Leeds Festival 2008, both Andrew and Ben were very nice and friendly. Most music fans would agree that when a band hangs round after a concert, stops and says "hello," snaps a picture or signs your ticket, it gives you a fantastic buzz that no amount of sugar - or drug of choice - can. The annoyance you feel towards the flying booze inside the venue, (cider hurts when it gets in your eyes) or the pouring rain outside just disappears. A feeling of comfort and bliss wraps your cold, wet body and things seem brighter. It may seem silly to the indifferent or uninterested, but for the die-hard, the dedicated and the right out obsessed, it's these little experiences which reassure us fans that the bands we love actually give a shit. That they acknowledge our existence, yes that's us down the front getting our ribs smashed by the steel barrier. Yes that's us who save up X number of pounds just to see and hear you while being in the same room.
As a music fan it makes me angry when I hear about rude bands who ignore their fans while they wait outside a venue... Or when a musician is accepting their award for whatever and they thank everyone - but the fans. It sounds predictable, and may be that's why bands sometimes don't thank us, yet it needs to be said. As much as I dislike Lady Gaga, I read that she bought pizza for her fans who standing in line for one of her concerts - that's lovely, heartwarming in fact.
Coming up next month is one of my favourite bands UK tour. The King Blues. And I've decided to cancel a holiday to Gibraltar to go and see them instead. (Please realise I decided to cancel after booking the tickets, hello cancellation fee.) That's dedication, I've got nothing but love for music, and there are so many people just like me in that respect.
ANOTHER NOTE: Jamie Jazz, guitarist of The King Blues actually replied to me on twitter when I mentioned my holiday cancellation. Acknowledging Bands + Fans = Happiness all round. Watch this space for my review of the gig! Haha.
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