The Unity Revolution

You know the feeling you get when you’re at a gig and everybody is singing along to the same song? Shouting the words back to one of your favourite artists, holding onto the people you’re with and not thinking about anything else in the world. That, for me, is one of the best feelings on this planet, and I think it holds a lot more significance in the world than you may first appreciate.

Like everybody, I love a lot of music artists for a lot of different reasons. I appreciate Newton Faulkner’s magical guitar skills, Idina Menzel’s voice and range gives me goosebumps, and I can’t help but have a soft spot for The Proclaimer’s ability to make me feel good.

But one of my absolute favourite things is when you go to a concert and the performer(s) you love are there, live in front of you, and manage to chat away as if they are normal people like the rest of us. There have been a couple of times over the last few months where I’ve been at a gig and the artist has given a bit of a speech, and I would be lying if I said they hadn’t left an impression on me.

Back when I saw her in August, Paloma Faith promoted her notion of an ‘Epidemic of Kindness’ (see link) and this, alongside her epic musical talents, really struck a chord with me. Not only is she an enormously down to earth human being, but she reminded us all how big a difference seemingly little things can make. Small deeds like donating 50p a day to a random charity can go a long way if enough people do the same (think how much money you spend absent-mindedly on tax dodging coffee merchants every week...) or even taking the time to talk to somebody who strikes up a conversation with you out of nowhere could make their day. Russel Brand (although not famed for his musical abilities) is also a big advocate for doing things for people whom you owe nothing to (ie- people outside your usual circle of loved ones, who you are inclined to do nice things for anyway), and not only does it benefit them but benefits you and your sense of worth too. You never know what is happening in somebody’s head, and giving them the time of day where someone else previously hasn’t could be all it takes to change their perception on life. It really can be that simple.

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Now, regardless of your opinion of the Queen, there’s no denying that her message of unity during the 2018 Christmas speech is one that can’t be ignored. One artist who encompassed a similar message was the beautiful Florence and the Machine.

I love Florence Welch for many reasons, but at her concert in Glasgow I fell in love with her that little bit more. Not only was she an absolute Princess and overall star, but she managed to create an entire gig encompassing one of my favourite experiences. The idea of a ‘Collective Consciousness’ that I alluded to earlier, I believe, could be the magic ingredient needed to strive towards a better world.

Since being at the gig and considering my presence I have noticed that as a whole, the human population is hugely self-centred. Of course it’s hard to get out of your own head at times, but particularly when it comes to sharing a common experience or goal, it is so much more enriching to enjoy it or work together than as individuals.

If we all take a little more time to embrace everyone around us, like we did quite literally at Florence, we will be so much stronger as a community and as an entire society. Find commonalities with others, accept difference and support each other’s ambitions. I think that by cooperating and appreciating moments as one will allow for a generally more cohesive country.

In my opinion, life should feel like these gigs at all times. Whether you’re on each other’s shoulders blasting out the words together or standing enjoying a song you don’t know well. Whether you’re crying or laughing or screaming or dancing. All of these things should be done together as an ensemble. A team. We are always stronger when we are united.

So embrace these strangers and do something thoughtful for someone every day. I think that simple changes to your outlook on life is one of the key ingredients to creating a much happier and fulfilling and successful way of life..

Vicky x