Music and Community: Festivals as Home

Music has always been more than sound to me. From the first note that moved me as a child to the massive festival stages I’ve experienced as an adult, music has been a sanctuary. It is a place where I feel most alive, a place where inclusion, acceptance, and shared joy are the default. For me, festivals are not just events — they are temporary cities built around connection, rhythm, and the unspoken understanding that we are all part of something bigger.

Finding Freedom in Festivals

When I attend a festival or concert, the barriers that sometimes define daily life seem to disappear. Everyone is equal in the crowd. We come together with the same purpose: to connect through sound, movement, and emotion. In those moments, status, age, ability, or background do not matter. We are simply people sharing an experience that transcends language and limitations.

Festivals feel like places where humanity shows its best self. Strangers check in on each other, small acts of kindness are abundant, and community grows organically. Someone might help a friend lift a chair through a muddy field, share water on a hot day, or invite someone new to join their circle. These simple gestures create memories that last long after the last encore fades.

The Effort Behind the Experience

I have been fortunate to travel across the United States to attend music events, often with the support of caregivers and friends. Each trip requires careful planning and coordination. Accessible travel, accommodations, and routines for care are all essential components of making these experiences possible. But despite the effort, every single time it is worth it.

There is something magical about stepping into a festival crowd, knowing that every person around you is there for the same reason. The thrill of seeing a band I’ve loved for years, the spontaneous joy of a jam session, or the electricity that courses through a festival audience moving as one creates a sense of belonging that is hard to describe. These moments remind me why inclusion and accessibility matter — not just in music, but in every aspect of life.

Gratitude for the People Who Make It Possible

I would not be able to fully experience these moments without the people who support me. Caregivers dedicate long days and immense energy to ensure I can attend shows safely and comfortably. Friends navigate crowded fields, push my chair through mud, and share in the excitement and joy of each event. Strangers offer small but meaningful gestures — making space near the stage, offering assistance, or starting conversations that often turn into lasting friendships.

The collective effort of everyone involved reinforces a larger truth: community is not just a concept; it is action. It is the tangible support, kindness, and connection we offer to one another. Being a part of these music communities has taught me to recognize and value the small, everyday contributions that make inclusion and belonging possible.

Music as a Catalyst for Connection

For me, music is about more than sound — it is about people. Festivals and concerts create spaces where inclusion is assumed, where joy is shared, and where differences are celebrated rather than ignored. In these spaces, I feel the freedom to be fully myself, to experience life without the usual constraints or judgments that exist elsewhere.

There is also a profound sense of resilience that comes from navigating these experiences. Traveling with a disability, attending crowded events, and staying engaged in dynamic environments requires preparation and determination. Each time I overcome the logistical and physical challenges to be in these spaces, I am reminded of the strength of human connection and the rewards of pushing past obstacles.

The Lessons Festivals Teach

These experiences have taught me more than I could have imagined. They have shown me the power of inclusion, the importance of community, and the joy that comes from shared experiences. They have reinforced my belief that life is at its best when lived in connection with others. Festivals remind me that even temporary spaces can have a lasting impact on our understanding of empathy, kindness, and belonging.

Music festivals also show me how society could function if inclusion and acceptance were prioritized. The support, generosity, and mutual respect I witness in these spaces are lessons that extend far beyond the festival grounds. They are reminders that we can create communities where people feel valued, respected, and inspired every day.

Community, Joy, and Belonging

At the heart of every festival, concert, and live performance is a shared human experience. Music has the power to unite us, to inspire us, and to make us feel like we are part of something larger than ourselves. For me, this is what makes festivals feel like home. They are places where joy is amplified, where freedom is found, and where the bonds of community are tangible and real.

Through every show, every jam session, and every crowd wave, I am reminded that life is meant to be experienced together. Music is not just entertainment — it is a force for connection, inclusion, and inspiration. It is in these spaces that I feel most alive, most grateful, and most connected to the world around me.