
Concert Traveling: When Music Takes You Places
If there is something that has moved me all my life is definitely music. Having uncommon music tastes have definitely forced me to go to places to be able to see my favorite artists. Here I have a few of those experiences I’ve had traveling thanks to an artist, or as I prefer calling it: concert traveling!
Ivete Sangalo – New York, NY – 2010
Back in 2010 it was the first time I actually came with the idea of traveling for a concert. I needed to go to see Ivete Sangalo. I knew I was not even close to go to Brazil someday (6 years later, I haven’t been to Brazil yet!) but she was coming to America. So, a year before I bought my ticket for the concert and on September 4, 2010, I was there at the Madison Square Garden finally seeing her.
It was pretty weird being one of the few Puerto Ricans in the concert. It was even better to know I was not only the one and that little flag helped us all to find each other.
In other hand, that Labor weekend was the last time I got to visit New York. I guess is about time I go back!
Charly García – Miami, Fl – 2012
Sorry for the bad quality of that picture, I used to have an awful Motorola back then.
So, the situation repeats: flying to South America from Puerto Rico is too expensive, and I didn’t wanted to die without seeing Charly García live. One of the things I studied the most as an undergraduate was the role that music played during Argentine dictatorship, and if you know a little bit about this topic, then you know Charly García is one of the songwriters that was able to trick the censorship the most, that is one of the reasons I totally love him. So, the chance was Miami. I remember spending only $2 daily on food. Yes, it was possible to find that kind of deals in college, and I totally did it. I bought my air tickets, my concert tickets and I went there.
It was definitely a great idea! I loved that trip and I loved the concert.
Eurovision Song Contest – Malmo, Sweden – 2013
One of the reasons I decided to go to Europe was definitely, to go to the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden. It was my first time going abroad and yes, I was going to the Eurovision final, so it was perfect!
I remembered trying to get in to the Malmo Arena and having problems with my ticket. I almost fainted there. They took me to an office to process my ticket, and I didn’t stop repeating the ticket agent “I came all the way from Puerto Rico, don’t leave me out!” When the ticket successfully scanned I am sure I was the most relieved person in history!
The best thing about Malmo, besides the Eurovision vibe during those days is its closeness to Copenhagen. I arrived to the Copenhagen airport and saw the wonderful sight at the Oresund Bridge, the one that connects Denmark and Sweden. The first time I got to ride that train I cried, because I couldn’t believe all the beauty that you can see from there.
This was as a whole, one of the best experiences in my life. The beauty of the Oresund Bridge, Copenhagen, and the Eurovision vibe made me feel excited as I walked around. I remember when the show begun that night and I realized that I was exactly there, watching that same show I have seen all my life on TV, but this time it was live. I was there. That also made me cry.
Bon Jovi – Stockholm, Sweden – 2013
It was the second time I was seeing Bon Jovi live but I wasn’t going to Stockholm only because of Bon Jovi. But hey! It was worth it and necessary. After being in Malmo for Eurovision, I kinda checked all the concerts and events that were going to happen during that time. I knew that since I was in Sweden, I needed to go to Gothenburg and Stockholm, but instead of doing what would have sounded as “logical” that it would have been going first to Gothenburg and then Stockholm, but I decided to fly from Malmo to Stockholm. It was the best idea.
I got to see Bon Jovi at the Olympic Stadium. It has been one of my favorite concerts. The vibe, the Summer weather, everything was just perfect.
There’s no better place to enjoy pop and rock music than Sweden!
Fito Páez – Orlando, Fl – 2015
When they said Fito was going to have a concert in Orlando, it was definitely a perfect moment to go back to Orlando after 7 years. I booked my tickets, bought my concert tickets and I was ready to go. I didn’t even thought about going to any parks or doing something else in Orlando, it was all about the concert and I don’t regret it. I was there right in front of the stage seeing one of the artist I wanted to see the most. Orlando, like some others of the places mentioned here, are part of my recommended destinations.
It was one of the best days of my life, even though I ended up having dinner in a McDonalds. That day I saw my favorite singer and as well, I realized that I have the best friends in the world.
Definitely, combining music with traveling have made me experience new destinations in a whole new way, but it has also helped me to experience people.
Monica
Absolutely agree! Music feeds one’s soul. I’ll be headed to London, Paris, Prague and Venice soon and definitely want to hit up local live acts. LMK if you’ve been and can reco any spots! 🙂
http://www.thewanderlusteur.com
Andrea
I went by myself to Portland after my wedding to ‘decompress’ for a few days and saw an Irish band, Gaelic Storm. It’s one of my favorite memories of traveling by myself and what travel can do because it was such a great night. Music is a HUGE part of traveling for me! <3
Taylor
This looks like so much fun! I’m not a big live music person, but traveling for music is pretty cool, it always makes it so much more exciting to have an event as a part of a trip!
Dora
Love your post! I’ve never had the chance to do this, maybe because I’m not obsessed a lot with music or have a particular interest in a band or a signer. But well done for experiencing your fav music tastes!
Alicia Rose
Love when music takes you all over the world ♡♡
marie
It looks like a lot of fun! I love going to music or ballet performances in different cities – it is too good an opportunity. I enjoyed reading your blog!
Joanna
Oh wow, how did you get tickets to the Eurovision? I would like to go too, I am a big fan and I try to organise a Eurovision party each year at my place. I discovered some great singers and bands just by watching the Eurovision.
I have only traveled once for a concert, and that was to Bulgaria, to see a Russian singer. It was awesome, I combined the concert with visiting Varna and enjoying the beach. It was great!
Brenda
Getting tickets for Eurovision was in fact a HARD task! When the organisers put the tickets on sale they sell eveything in half an hour or even less, so, I had to get them through a reseller. I don’t even remember how much I spent, but it was totally worth it! I even made friends just by going there.
I tried to find tickets for this year when they put them on sale, even if I had to resell them, because it is worth it! maybe you spend 70€ on a ticket but on the resell maket you can sell them on the double. Is crazy, but trying to find tickets for this year I totally noticed it.
And by the way, I would love to be part some time of one of your Eurovision parties! Over here in the Caribbean is pretty hard to find people who want to watch it and also, is at daytime, so it kinda sucks most of the time.
Simona
I must admit that I would love to travel to concerts, but I never do it – I don’t know why! I have friends who do it thought and they are having a blast! Mby I will start to travel for concerts in the near future!
Safari Junkie
Travelling for good music is so worth it:) I usually have to travel to Vienna or Munich .
Bailey K.
Super cool. I love seeing all the different reasons that people travel all around the world. There is so much to see, hear, taste, and do!! 🙂
Evelina
Sounds cool. I always check for events before I go somewhere. I actually have a friend who travels only to visit concerts or events. Let the music lead you 🙂
Hung Thai
Travel + music + great friends… what’s better than that? Nothing 🙂
Wildworldvibes
New york city is a definitely good destination for concerts. Its very diverse.
http://wildworldvibes.blogspot.com
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Heidi
Oh I love this post! I attended the Eurovision song contest last year in Stockholm. It was a dream come true! Next time Sweden gets to organise it again, I will try to get tickets again. Maybe we can even go together?
Brenda
I would definitely love that! I never get tired of going to Sweden!