‘Concerts not a cause for concern’

WHILE Swifties in the United States are crazy over Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, Blinks are screaming at the top of their lungs in Blackpink’s Born Pink worldwide concert tour – both of which are being held, with Swift extending hers to other countries until next year.

Despite the steep ticket prices, even for seats far too distant from the stage, many of their fans do not think twice about getting their hands on the tickets.

There seems to be something magical about concerts, be it the cathartic effect, sensational pleasure, or satisfaction of meeting their idols in real life, that brings together enthusiastic crowds.

Though some might say such events are a bad influence, especially on the youth, concerts can be of great benefit, both tangible and intangible, to many.

Dickson: Ultimately, it falls on individuals to make wise decisions regarding their time and expenses.

Among the concerns raised is the question of the amount of time and money spent on concerts, with society increasingly gravitating towards materialism and individualism.

Some believe that wealth accumulation is paramount in life, especially during one’s prime working years.

In their view, spending an excessive amount of money on a concert – bearing in mind that the cheapest ticket for the Blackpink concert held in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, last March was RM388 – seems irrational and immature as the concert offers no tangible return.

Being able to afford this is a luxury for most average people who are working hard to make ends meet.

The perception that attending concerts is unnecessary is reinforced by the ready availability of the same performances and music online at zero cost. Consequently, concerts are often dismissed as frivolous and having little value in our lives.

However, the problem here lies not with the concerts themselves, but with excessive behaviour.

Some youths are easily influenced by their friends and can be easily tempted by social media chatter about concerts. They may be enticed by sensory pleasure and feel compelled to jump on the bandwagon.

It is when they develop an uncontrollable and impulsive spending habit, exceeding their financial means, that they cross the line between rationality and recklessness.

We have seen reports of fans spending thousands of dollars on scalpers’ tickets and going into debt for it. All the money splurged just for a few hours of pleasure.

Such behaviour by irrational fans is one of the reasons why some people perceive concerts as superficial, and detrimental to the young.

In reality, when enjoyed in moderation, a concert can be a wonderful opportunity for fans to gather, relax, and enjoy themselves.

It creates a safe space for music lovers to come together and revel in the live performances of their favourite artistes.

As they sing along to the songs performed on stage, they momentarily escape reality, immersing themselves in the moment without worrying about anything.

It is their emotional outlet and their opportunity to relieve stress. It is where they meet people with similar interests and form like-minded communities, through which they expand their social circles.

It reconnects us with our community and resensitises our emotions through the power of music.

Furthermore, a concert can hold great economic significance to a country, especially when the artistes are able to attract fans from different regions to their live performances.

Thanks to the force of globalisation that enables greater mobilisation, when world-renowned artistes choose to hold their concerts in a specific city, they become a magnet that pulls in foreign dollars as thousands of tourists flock to the city for the event.

As such, there will be an increase in spending on hospitality and service sectors around the concert destination, thus revitalising the local communities.

Presented with an opportunity to promote its international image, the country will also prioritise developing the infrastructure of its city to provide a better experience for tourists.

The good impression from tourists turns into great publicity for the country. And as word gets around in the entertainment industry, more artistes will choose the country as their concert destination too.

As a result, such an excellent image will work its way to boost the country’s reputation as well as its tourism industry in a continuous loop, thus invigorating its economy.

All in all, the concert on its own is not harmful to our society. Instead of banning it, we should focus on inculcating financial literacy and rational decision-making in every individual as fundamental knowledge to navigate a world filled with more and more choices.

Ultimately, it falls on individuals to make wise decisions regarding their time and expenses, as it is impractical for any party to determine everybody’s way of life and forgo such valuable economic opportunities for the country.

Dickson, 19, a Malaysian student in Singapore, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. To join Star-NiE’s online youth community, go to facebook.com/niebrats.

Now that you have read the article, test your understanding by carrying out the following English language activities.

1 Would you spend RM388 on a concert ticket?

Why or why not?

2 Based on the article, list the pros and cons of concerts. Add your points to the list before having a discussion with your activity partner on whether concerts should be allowed to be run.

The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes the use of English language in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email [e-mail].