Michael Buble, Eric Clapton, Iron Maiden, Bob Dylan and Taylor Swift; Only a fraction of the number of artists making their way to our sunny island this year.

For diehard music lovers out there, this sudden increase in concerts and gigs in recent years is a godsend. Our wallets, however, are a lot less enthusiastic about said godsend. Kudos, therefore, to concert organizers who have placed a string of shows in the weeks following Chinese New Year, a time of great jubilee and prosperity. The latter being a great excuse for aforesaid music lovers to let lose and let rock take over.

But just how much are music lovers willing to sacrifice to get up close with their favourite musicians? In the recent St. Jerome’s Laneway music festival, host to indie acts such as Temper Trap and Ladyhawke, concertgoers had to battle with the rain and the mud at fort canning park where the 11-hour show took place. Immediately, the hypochondriac within us all begins to flutter to thoughts about contracting viruses, slipping on muddy grass, being trampled by a hoard of sweaty people in the mosh pit etc.

Reminiscent of daylong festivals such as Woodstock in the summer of 69’, attendees of Laneway share the same passion and love for the music as the pseudo-hippies did back in the 60s, a passion that is fast becoming a more widespread feeling as Singapore delves deeper into the arts scene with each passing year.

Albeit being slightly costly and yes the ever-present potential of things that can go wrong at a concert, you never know when your favorite artist will come down again for a show! Take it from one who has managed to stupidly miss live performances by both his all-time-favorite-hailed-as-gods artists, Jamie Cullum and Muse last year.

So throw away thoughts about conserving money and other tiny trivial worries one might have about attending concerts and gigs and throw yourself into a world of live music, just for one night. With the wide spectrum of concerts to choose from this year, I’m sure there’s at least one genre of music you’d like to experience in full force.