There is truly no other experience that can compare to the adrenaline rush and pure joy that is attending a concert. Live music is essential in our current economy. Statistics show that music can bring joy and happiness in times of sorrow. In a recent article, “How Music Can Make Us Feel Good,” behavioral health analyst, Alex Fuentes, summarizes an experiment conducted in his workplace. This experiment allowed employees to collaborate on a workplace playlist in hopes of bringing more liveliness into the office. He quickly realized that this new playlist had uplifted employees and curated higher-quality work. The melodies we enjoy release dopamine into our brains and allow for a sense of serenity around us, contributing to the idea that music plays a pivotal role in our daily lives.
Year after year, new artists emerge and bring along catchy trends that entice people from all walks of life. As teens, we are always looking into what is currently hot and trending, and right now, that artist is Sabrina Carpenter. Who is she, you might ask? (If you happen to have any social media, it is likely that you are very familiar with her catchy lyrics.) Sabrina Carpenter is a singer, dancer, actor, and entrepreneur born in 1999, who some say, was destined for stardom from day one. From an early age, Carpenter was singing and dancing with the intention of entertaining those around her. With a big break in Disney Channel’s hit show “Girl Meets World” as main character Riley’s best friend Maya, Sabrina caught the attention of thousands and earned herself a record deal with Hollywood Records. Soon after, she released her first EP, Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying, and her debut album Eyes Wide Open in 2015. She then went on to release four more studio albums that climbed the charts, making her a household name.
Despite her earlier successes, it wasn’t until Carpenter landed a gig opening for Taylor Swift on her Latin American, Australian, and Singapore legs of The Eras Tour that she truly started getting the recognition she deserved. The recent release of her sixth studio album “Short n’ Sweet” has made the singer’s career skyrocket on the charts, earning her accolades beyond belief. Teens everywhere are seemingly drawn to her sense of humor and unfailingly genuine sense of humanity.
However, the singer has been facing tons of backlash after the start of her Short n’ Sweet Tour. Parents are arguing that the show is extremely provocative and entirely too inappropriate, considering the audience of their young children. This, in turn, begs the question of “Why are you buying tickets for your young children?” Yet, Carpenter is seemingly unbothered by the hate and has continued with her production schedule without any changes.
If you have yet to embark on the rollercoaster of female emotion and feminine empowerment depicted in Sabrina’s writing, you are truly missing out. Those who have attended her live shows have taken to social media to express their awe towards the singer. The pop star is truly bringing back the ‘pop-princess world’ by mixing both singing and dancing, providing audience members with the show of a lifetime. The utmost positivity and craze surrounding the shows has sparked a demand for more concert-going and a deeper love for Sabrina’s music.
Another young artist, Gracie Abrams, has also recently been on the rise. Abrams, daughter of famous director J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath, was also born in 1999 and raised in Los Angeles, California. Signing with Interscope Records and releasing EPs and studio albums, was just the beginning of Abrams’ success. The close-knit and loving family of supporters Gracie has cultivated showcases a united community of fans. However, the down-to-earth and lively nature marks just the baseline of Gracie’s appeal. Filling her shows with humor and connection to the audience not only accentuates her music but also reveals the true ins and outs of her personality. Along with Sabrina, Gracie has also had the privilege of opening for Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour, during the North American legs. This exposure brought much attention to the singer, and thus brought her first album, Good Riddance, to the top of the charts.
Recently, Abrams released a sophomore album entitled The Secret of Us, which is full of raw emotion, showcasing songs that are extremely relatable for young adults. Due to popular demand, Abrams will soon be releasing a deluxe version of the album. Following this announcement, her Vevo short film The Secret of Us discusses the backlash she has faced throughout her career being labeled as a “whispery singer.” Gracie responds that she does not want to whisper, but grapples with the fear of being heard. This anecdote touched the hearts of thousands of her fans, and so many others in the music industry.
Live music is an aspect of our lives that many of us take for granted, despite its provision of numerous benefits. Two powerhouse female artists: Sabrina Carpenter and Gracie Abrams are providing people with incredible music and soul with every show and are being labeled as the future of the music industry.
