One of the biggest draws to studying in New York is the abundance of live shows held every night. Looking back, some of my fondest memories of Fordham are the concerts I attended on a whim, like seeing Alec Benjamin at terminal 5 for my 19th birthday or by scoring $30 tickets for Billy Joel 10 minutes before the start of the show.
As I prepared to return to New York for this semester, I wondered if concerts would still have the same electric feeling, let alone be played at all in the midst of a pandemic. Would I, a member of an immunocompromised family, feel comfortable and at home again at a concert? These fears served as the catalyst for a self-indulgent research mission: What are concerts like in a post-pandemic world?
Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden
By Lauren Bocalan
For five gigs throughout October, Harry Styles, along with special guests Jenny Lewis, Madison Cunningham and Orville Peck, sold out and performed at Madison Square Garden (MSG) for Love on Tour.
In the middle of the arena was a diamond stage and two catwalks extended from either side of the diamond, dividing the general admission pit in two. The shape and size of the stage allowed many fans who had lined up for hours to barricade the stage and have a great position for the show.
Beginning his set with visuals of bunnies and a voiceover of Charles Bukowski’s poem “Style,” Harry Styles rose from the middle of the stage. He wore unique outfits every night, so it was always so eager to see any glimpse of what he was wearing.
The performance was packed with extreme crowd engagement and excitement. The crowd chanted the mantra ‘Treat people with kindness’ at the top of their voices and listened intently as Harry sang lyrics to hold on to, such as ‘It’ll be alright’.
The excitement was palpable throughout his encore of “Sign of the Times”, “Kiwi” and “Watermelon Sugar”. “Kiwi” has never failed to shake the floor of MSG at each performance. After all, Harry wrote the lyrics “It’s New York, baby, still excited!” For a reason.
I saw Harry Styles perform five times at MSG. I don’t like to think about the logistics of it, especially financially, and while that’s where I might get cheesy, all I have to say is: Yes, I would do it again.
Rising pop singer Madison Beer has proven her debut studio album “Life Support” to be just as amazing live as it is on any streaming service.
Madison Beer at Terminal 5
By Olivia LeDuc
On October 24, at the Terminal 5 concert hall, a few blocks from Fordham Lincoln Center, Madison Beer produced a phenomenal show that left fans in her hometown speechless.
With glowing melodies, high orchestral notes and echoing instrumentals that filled the arena volume, rising pop singer and social media influencer Madison Beer proved her debut studio album “Life Support” to be just as amazing, if not better, in concert than on any streaming service.
Beer appeared on stage with two backup dancers and kicked off fiercely with one of her lead singles, “Baby,” a sultry song with heavy R&B influence and PG-13 lyrics. The song generated vibrations on the venue floor and lively energy among the crowd as she belted out, “If you wanna be my baby, know I’ll drive you crazy / I’ll probably call me crazy, I’ll am the best you ever had.”
After the exuberance of her first two songs, “Stay Numb And Carry On” toned down the vibrancy of the crowd as Beer sang about the emotional trauma she endured throughout her career.
Beer crafted a soulful rendition of the song, certifying her talent vocally as she sang high notes on her knees as the crowd erupted in deafening applause.
Beer’s interpretation of pain continued to intensify throughout the concert with her performance of “Emotional Bruises”, a letter to a former lover with whom she cannot reconcile; the pain they inflicted on her has caused her to reach the point where she feels the need to go on life support, a tribute to the album title.
“I shouldn’t love you, but I couldn’t help it / I felt like you never felt it / I always knew you were too selfish / I don’t know why I ‘looked away’, are arguably some of Beer’s most popular lyrics in his second single from the album, “Selfish”, which surfaced on TikTok and garnered widespread attention online.
Beer crafted a soulful rendition of the song, certifying her talent vocally as she sang high notes on her knees as the crowd erupted in deafening applause.
As the show ended, explosions of pink confetti shot through the air. People approached to pick up the falling pieces as Beer kissed his crowd goodbye.
Adam Melchor at Williamsburg Music Hall
By Avery Loftis
To establish a sense of normalcy during quarantine, in February 2020, indie folk artist Adam Melchor created a phone number through which to send his fans a new song every Sunday. The phone number has been dubbed “Lullaby Hotline”, now the title of his debut album with freshly mixed songs, including some he performed during his New York show at Music Hall in Williamsburg on November 5.
Melchor walked in as diffuse colors lit the room and played his intro song “Last Time,” featuring the hopelessly romantic rocker “I Choose You.” Even in the second row of the rushing crowd, I could hear the cheers of his friends, family and fans. Before the third song, Melchor stopped and beamed with gratitude, let out a flurry of thanks and said he didn’t know what else to say and he’d probably never stop thanking us all. the night.
There was a surrealism in the reverent cheers that followed the song “Happier Alone,” Lullaby Hotline releases, as well as an unofficially released “Lactose Intolerant” mashup and officially released “No Way of Knowing.” After watching these songs on a screen for two years and conversing with other fans, it was inexplicable to me that such an intimate concert experience was possible again.
Melchor’s main tour has proven his consistency in providing a cosmic level of comfort and connection within his fan base.
The whole show felt like watching a close friend throw the best party of their life. The reciprocity and resonance with the energy of that night is reminiscent of one of the Lullaby Hotline texts from September. Melchor played a song called “Honey,” and over the instrumentals he told his fans, “And, if there’s one thing that always feels good, it’s doing something with someone good. other and go on a trip with someone, whether you know like the love of your life or have never met them once. This is a rare opportunity for us to feel what everyone else is feeling.
Melchor’s main tour has proven his consistency in providing a cosmic level of comfort and connection within his fan base.
With the in-person concerts in full swing, here are some upcoming shows to watch. Berta big toean up-and-coming Chicago-based band, performs at Rodrigue’s Coffee House in Rose Hill this Friday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. And for the next semester, renowned artists like Tyler the CreatorMitski, Elton John and Billie Eilish will come to town to perform.
