Performing a live show after a long pause

The events of 2020 have put a stop to many things, including live music performances. For musicians like me, this is the best part of the job. Gigs are an integral part of being a musician - the energy and emotion of playing in front of an audience is something special that creates a unique bond between everyone in the room.

Preparation is always key to a successful performance, and especially after a long stop like this one, it required some extra attention and effort. I rehearsed on my own and with the band for two or three days straight. Instruments were checked and cleaned, and they were shiny and ready to be used. The van was filled with fuel, and it was ready to go.

Anticipation was high, but for me, being on the road on the way to the venue tasted like the freedom I had really missed. This put me in an altered state where I could be present with reality and nothing else.

Being there, in the moment, is fundamental to a musician's performance, but everyone present contributes to making that concert.

Having a live audience is a crucial part of the experience. Being able to interact with the audience and feel their energy is something that I had missed for quite some time. We can feel the energy of someone's presence. More people, the more powerful it becomes; it borders on sorcery, really.

That electrifying atmosphere will transform a random, minuscule moment of a lifetime into a show worth remembering.