Last night, I went to hear a friend and his daughter play acoustic music at a place called CTs Deli in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

First, a word about CTs Deli – the food is wonderful, but we had to eat standing up because it was jammed with people. The menu was limited, featuring fish tacos (my husband loved them), clam chowder (my choice with no regrets), and Italian beef (our son’s pick, first-rate). Besides music on a Friday night, I noticed a cooking class coming up next Thursday. Should you ever find yourself in Rhinelander (home of the Hodag Country Music Festival in July), go to CTs Deli.

A lot of the people in the audience were friends or family members of the musicians — my friend Shannon on guitar,  his daughter Joy who’s a powerful singer, and a man on percussion whose name I didn’t catch. I got to see a few people I haven’t seen in years. Good music, good company, good food – what more could you ask for?

It got me thinking about the power of music and the importance of experiencing it live. Yes, there’s a lot of distraction – the noise of conversations, food on the grill, the chef over the loudspeaker announcing your name for your food order, bottles crashing to the floor – typical bar ambience. But the p.a. system carried the sound of guitar, voice and conga drums. The atmosphere was joyous. The place seemed to sparkle with little lights, bright smiles, and raucous applause.

There are times for listening to recorded music, either through headphones or cranked on the stereo at home, when you want to really hear it and catch all the nuances. The sound fills your head and then your whole body. It can transport you, lift you up, or calm you down – whatever you need. But the live experience, when the music is good and everybody is fed and happy, imparts a sense of community. Whether performing or listening, we are all part of the music.

I heard of a study recently that concluded that attending music events can make you happier (see here and here). The social atmosphere and the energy bouncing around a lot of people enhances the mood lifting effect of music. Even if you’re there all by yourself, you’re still a part of the crowd. And if I have to be just a face in the crowd – that’s the crowd I want to be in.