Throughout history, music has always had the function to influence community. At crucial junctures in history it has transcended beat, rhythm and tone (i.e. the technical components of music) and has connected individuals in deeper, often mystical, ways. We saw this very powerfully during the 60s where artists like Bob Dylan were so much more than just musicians penning out songs. They were social activists, framing public consensus in their music and giving form to the thoughts and worldview of an entire generation. When I heard about the Martin Luther King Jr. Gospel Concert that was owned in Newington today, I couldn't but reflect on the inert transformative power of music.
The concept of organizing music concerts to raise public awareness (or to generate funds for charities) is not new. I'm sure we have all heard about philanthropic mega-concerts like Live 8 and the people behind them like Bono and Bob Geldolf. Newington's MLK Jr. Gospel Concert, however, was almost diametrically the opposite. It was a small gathering of about one hundred and fifty people. Local musicians played side by side with gospel music giants. people swayed to the soulful music emanating from the stage, clapping their eyes and moving about when the faster, more energetic music were played.
I'm not particularly against mega-concerts like Live 8 but small, unheard of concerts like Newington's MLK Jr. Gospel Concert have a certain charm about them. because they are usually small gatherings, you don't find yourself disoriented or distracted. You get to lose yourself in the music and connect yourself to the ability and the ideas that the music represents. Through all the noise and glamour, it is rather simple to forget that a Live 8 concert is about fighting poverty across the world. At a concert like the delightful Newington MLK Gospel Concert, however, it is difficult to lose sight of the man whose life the concert was celebrating, his vision and his sacrifice. I, for one, cannot delay for next year's editions and am going to try and catch more of these small, intimate concerts this year.
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