As a lover of music and the arts, one of the hardest parts of the Covid-19 pandemic for me, has been not being able to feel in touch with myself musically.
Any music fan will understand the huge difference there is between simply listening to music through your headphones, compared to being completely immersed at a live event.
Nothing compares to the buzz you get from attending a performance of your favourite artist, alongside the atmosphere from the crowd, mixed with the energy and power that live events hold. There’s nothing quite like it.
When I heard that there was an opportunity to be an interviewer for the ‘Immersed Festival 2021’ I couldn’t have put myself forward quicker.
The thought of simply being around live music again after such a long time, and for such an amazing cause, was thrilling. I couldn’t wait, even though it was technically a job, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with excitement.
I felt honoured and blessed to be one of the only people in the worlds current climate, who was going to get the opportunity to witness a live music event again.
To add even more so to my over-excitement, the fact that the music and interviews were going to be held at one of my favourite venues in Cardiff was the greatest bonus I could ask for.
Being your typical music loving Cardiff student, The Tramshed holds a very special place in my heart. Ive spent countless nights (and early hours of the morning) there, attending live music events, raves and many other amazing evenings.
Every memory I have of The Tramshed is a happy one, and revisiting there as an interviewer this month was no exception.
As I walked through the back fire door on the morning of the pre show recording, I was instantly overwhelmed with emotion as I heard the painfully yet beautifully loud music bouncing from every corner of the room.
Hearing music at such a loud volume in itself made me reminisce on the amazing feelings I used to get when waiting outside of a rave, when you would hear the music inside getting louder and louder the closer you got to the front of the queue, and bursting with excitement to get in and start dancing.
I had the exact same feeling this time. I was supposed to go straight to the interview room to prepare for the bands once their performances had finished but I physically couldn't, I wasn’t going to let this rare opportunity slip by me. I quickly walked - as professionally as I could - to the upstairs balcony whilst trying to keep my composure.
The heavy metal band ‘Excursia’ where mid way through their set. Even though I was the only person on the balcony the smile on my face could have been seen from the opposite end of the building. I could feel the vibration you get in your chest when music is exceedingly loud, I could hear the ringing in my ears and most importantly I could see how much fun the band themselves where having and how happy they were to simply get the chance to perform again after such a long time.
Not only was I blown away by the musicians themselves but the technological aspects of the event where just as inspiring. The lighting and sound effects alone were executed perfectly and it genuinely felt like I was at a live event.
The recording of the acts was done very precisely in order to conjure up the same feelings I was getting from being there in person, to the audience at home.
When it finally came to the interviews I was once again feeling very grateful to be in the presence of such outstanding musicians. The interviews themselves were very insightful and interesting and sometimes upsetting, when it came to hearing how much the artists had been effected by the pandemic.
However what I enjoyed the most was hearing their responses when I asked them what it felt like to perform again. Every single one of my interviewees faces was plastered with the biggest smile as soon as I asked this question. To see and hear how much those mere 15 minutes meant to them was inspiring in itself.
Revisiting the Tramshed that day was one of the best days ive had during this chaotic year. It really made me re evaluate my attitude towards the sadness and anger I had surrounding the events of the pandemic.
In these unprecedented times it is important we don’t loose sight of what’s important to us as humans. Some people say that ‘music makes the world go round’ I never really used to understand this saying or consider its importance, but after that one great day at the Tramshed, talking to inspiring musicians and seeing how much that small reminder of reality was for them, made me reevaluate this statement and the meaning it held, I now believe hole-heartedly in the power that music has to offer. Music really does make the world go round.
Niamh Colclough
