Rediscover the joy of live music

There has never been more music at our fingertips. Yet many of us go years without seeing a band play live. Tickets for the biggest tours are expensive and sell out in minutes, and it's easy to decide it's not worth the effort.

But live music doesn't have to mean stadium shows.

Look small

Bars, pubs, cafés, libraries and community halls host live music all the time, often for little or no cover charge. You'll be close enough to see the musicians' hands, and you may hear your new favourite band before anyone else does.

Follow venues, not just artists

Find two or three venues near you that you like and sign up for their newsletters or follow their pages. They'll tell you what's coming, and you'll start noticing names that keep appearing.

Try a festival day pass

Summer festivals often sell single-day tickets. You'll hear several acts across different styles in one afternoon, which is one of the easiest ways to expand your taste.

Go to the opening act

Arrive early. Opening acts are often hungry, talented and playing to a half-empty room. Some of today's big names were once the band people talked through while buying drinks.

Put the phone down

A few photos are fine. Filming the whole set means watching the concert through a small screen. Let yourself be there.

Bring someone, or don't

Live music is great with friends. It's also surprisingly easy to go alone. Nobody notices, you can stand where you like and leave when you want.

The first song of a good live set, when the sound hits and the crowd reacts, is a feeling no playlist can match.