How One Vow in April 2023 Changed My Entire Outlook on Life...

The Year Of Music Explained

In April 2023, after the mutual breakup of my first long-term relationship, I was wrestling with who I was, what I wanted, how I felt, and what I wanted to pour my energy into.

I was no longer dreaming of labor and another passion project to make money, but how I wanted to live and what I wanted to experience.

That’s when a post popped up about Dear Silas going on tour — think mental health conversations at some stops and music at others. And yup, that was right up my alley! — and I was determined to see him live cause I knew he was a star in the making. Creative genius and a heart of gold!

But back to me…“What if I just made it a whole year of music?”

I had purchased my single ticket to see RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR in the nosebleeds of the Bank of America stadium because I had never seen Beyoncé in concert and RENAISSANCE got me through a lot. In fact, I still play it regularly and even have it on vinyl.

Plus, I had committed to Bonnaroo with friends before the breakup because I had never been to a festival and neither had he.

What transpired after was a series of “that sounds like fun”, “hmm, what’s that”, and a lot of “why not” for the next year.

Who and What I Experienced Musically in a Year

Ready for this list? This is going to explain A LOT for people who know me.

• April 2023: Dear Silas

• May 2023: Paramore

• June 2023: Bonnaroo (saw Danielle Ponder, Amber Mark, Lil Nas X, and so many others!)

• July 2023: Alicia Keys (one of the opening acts was Libianca!)

  • I also saw Erykah Badu with opening acts, Tobe Nwigwe and Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, with my mom!

• August 2023: Beyoncé

  • This was also when I went to my first-ever Renaissance Brunch hosted by Carolina Waves and, although it was not affiliated with the megastar, a time was HAD.

• September 2023: Ayra Starr and Chloe Bailey in one week

  • This is also when I first experienced a movie I love, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, with orchestral accompaniment AND a live DJ. The nerd who grew up playing piano, loving classical music, and believing music is a universal language that can heal and bring people together was LIVING.

• October 2023: Janelle Monáe (one of the opening acts was Flyana Boss!)

• November 2023: Coco Jones

• December 2023: Renaissance Brunch

  • Think—Beyoncé bingo with prizes, food, and fun!

• February 2024: Beauty and the Beast

  • This was with an orchestra too, and since it’s one of my favorite childhood movies—I always felt like Belle growing up—and I wanted to do something special for the first Valentine’s Day I was spending single; it was a treat to myself!

• April 2024: Hive Hoedown

  • Yes, this was inspired by COWBOY CARTER, and I helped the CEO & Founder of Carolina Waves, Mir, come up with the name one early morning at like 4. Do not ask me why we were both up and on an app that early. But if you guessed God, you’d be correct.

Before you clock me for not doing anything for two months, I went to two different concerts in July 2023 and September 2023, so it averaged out.

From One Year to a Lifetime

If I’m being honest, my whole life has revolved around music being tied to some of my favorite core memories. I don’t know why it took me that long to dedicate myself to experiencing some of my favorite artists and films accompanied by music live, but here we are.

I grew up playing the piano, and being in the school choir, my Granny Ann wanted to put me in ballet too cause I loved to dance but my mom said “no” — Shoutout to my mom cause the idea of being perceived and I had beef for years.

Even when I was dealing with depression, anxiety, and a disrupted nervous system as a chameleon kid, I would blast alt music and write poetry all over the door in red marker. Sorry rents.

And while most people will probably never hear me sing or dance in the ways that move me forreal — sacred self-care things ya know — music links so much of who I am, who I love, and what I love together.

Join the Conversation

Have you ever thought about doing a Year of Music or Year of Travel or a Year of Yes (or No)?