A concert is a performance in which many musicians play music together for an audience. The performers are usually raised above the audience on a stage, and the music is often amplified for larger audiences. Sometimes concerts have a special visual element, such as lighting or pyrotechnics. Some concerts are part of a larger event, such as a festival. A concert may be organized by a group of musicians, or it may be informal and happen spontaneously, such as when friends get together to listen to a band they enjoy. People who go to a lot of concerts often belong to a musical scene, and they have similar dress and hairstyles.
A large crowd at a concert often shows deep enthusiasm for the performers. The intensity of this reaction depends partly on the type of music played and the personality of the performers. The Beatles, for example, drew devoted fanaticism in the ’60s. Their fans dressed like the band, and many attended their concerts in droves, often traveling long distances to see them.
The concert has evolved since the 17th century, and its modern form reflects social influences on the development of music in general. The concert also developed as a way to emancipate music from its traditional court and church functions, and it taught music to celebrate itself and become its own liturgy. This did not mean that music gave up its functional role, but it adapted it to new venues and public tastes.
In the 21st century, concerts often take place in stadiums and arenas with thousands of people. Concerts are also held in smaller venues, such as music halls, auditoriums, nightclubs and churches. Concerts are often free, but some require tickets. The term concert can also refer to a group of performances in a single day or weekend, especially when they are presented by a particular organization such as a city or a college.
Some concerts include a wide range of works that are linked to one another by some common aspect, such as instrumentation, composer or genre. The program for a concert is often carefully planned, although it is possible to attend a concert in which the pieces do not seem to fit well together. The word concert can also refer to a special performance for an elite group of people such as royalty or religious dignitaries.
A festival is an event that lasts for a period of time, usually including a variety of different entertainment acts such as music and theater. A festival can be organized by a group of individuals or a corporation. It can be religious, such as a music or dance festival, or it can be a celebration of a specific cultural heritage such as the Irish Festival in New York. Several festivals are held around the world, and some are famous such as the Fringe Festival in Scotland or the Carnival in Brazil. Some festivals are a one-time event, while others occur annually or every few years.