Thoughts about Utopia

I FOUND MYSELF IMAGINING THE FUTURE FRAMED WHILE BEING AT STING’S CONCERT. THE SEARCH FOLLOWS ME EVERYWHERE I GO…

A few weeks ago I was at Sting’s concert. I went with my mom and my friend Meital. My mother purchased the tickets three years ago. The COVID cancellations postponed the show again and again until the time had finally come and my mother arrived in Berlin especially for the occasion. We took a car, drove through traffic, stood in a long and expectant line until we finally found ourselves standing, crowded, quite far from the stage, unable to move anywhere. Well, that’s how the big summer shows are, I guess. It’s been a long time since I last was at such a massive concert.

I thought to myself how amazing it would be if I could see Sting in a small hall, as if I were sitting inside the music, with a pleasant, homely setting, removing all barriers between the stage and the audience…

We sent Meital on a challenging mission to bring back drinks. My mother and I guarded our square meter and our good moods intact while she was away. The concert started right on time. It’s embarrassing to admit, but since I couldn’t really see anything, at first I thought it was Sting singing, until Maitel told me that she expected more from a musician like me and that I’m totally off… It was just the opening act. I never liked opening acts. Anyway, after half an hour, Sting and his band took the stage. What can I say, these guys know their job well! The band sounded incredible and Sting’s voice and energy were in an admirable shape. But as mentioned, we were standing quite far away, the sound didn’t engulf or hug me, and in general, this evening didn’t move me at all. Hit after hit (I forgot how many hits this guy wrote), were executed perfectly but despite my sincere intention to enjoy myself, I didn’t succeed. In favor of Sting and his band, I must say that after seven or eight songs, the feeling in the audience improved. He made a strong effort, is a charismatic performer and the crowd loved his music. Still, I asked myself – does he manage to feel any real connection? Can he feel this magical and indescribable spiritual space, the inspiration that is created between the audience and the artist? Does he manage to enjoy this setting?

…wanting to create a utopian place where money plays no role, whose purpose is human connection and inspiration.

I thought to myself (while standing on tiptoe to at least see the screen on the right side of the stage), how amazing it would be if I could see Sting in a small hall, of about 300 people, with such a fine sound system that it feels like I’m sitting inside the music, with a pleasant, homely setting, which takes down all barriers between the stage and the audience; between the listeners and the musicians. In short, I found myself imagining the ‘future FRAMED’ and Sting in it. And this place is so great in my mind. It doesn’t have to be Sting of course, I can easily keep daydreaming about this vision with many other musicians that I adore (super famous artists or unknown, this doesn’t matter). “I’ll be watching you… I’ll be watching you…” another hit ended, the audience applauded and I sobered up from my dream. This is not possible. Someone with an audience like Sting has no economic sense in such a small setting like I imagine. And for a place like FRAMED, even if it grows to accommodate 200-300 people, it will not be financially feasible to invite artists of this level. And yet, myself, the audience, and even Sting himself will certainly “gain” from such an evening, something that money can’t buy anyway.

Well, again I’m in the same ‘loop’, desiring the impossible. Wanting to create a utopian place where money plays no role, whose purpose is human connection and inspiration. A place that will give music what it needs and deserves, to break through the sky and open people’s hearts (regardless of status, religion, culture, gender, age, race, etc).

I’ll keep on thinking…
And I’ll keep you posted.. 🙂

Yael

 

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