"Without that audience — that screaming, sweating audience — my songs would only be sound."
Rock icon Dave Grohl has written a opinion piece on the importance of live music and the lack of it due to the COVID pandemic.
Writing for The Atlantic, the Foo Fighters frontman said "there is nothing like the energy and atmosphere of live music".
"It is the most life-affirming experience, to see your favorite performer onstage, in the flesh, rather than as a one-dimensional image glowing in your lap as you spiral down a midnight YouTube wormhole," Grohl wrote.
While sharing memories of his own live music experiences, both as a fan and performer, Grohl pondered when live music will return.
"In today’s world of fear and unease and social distancing, it's hard to imagine sharing experiences like these ever again.
"I don’t know when it will be safe to return to singing arm in arm at the top of our lungs, hearts racing, bodies moving, souls bursting with life. But I do know that we will do it again, because we have to. It’s not a choice. We’re human. We need moments that reassure us that we are not alone. That we are understood. That we are imperfect. And, most important, that we need each other.
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"I have shared my music, my words, my life with the people who come to our shows. And they have shared their voices with me. Without that audience — that screaming, sweating audience — my songs would only be sound. But together, we are instruments in a sonic cathedral, one that we build together night after night. And one that we will surely build again."
Read the full piece here.