Does life get any better when you get to see a favorite band play LIVE? I honestly can’t think of many other things that make me feel as real and exhilarated as a live show.
Waiting in the will call line, getting excited talking to other fans, “If they play that song I will lose my fucking mind”, getting your wrist band, frisk down, crappy over-priced draft beers, gross bathrooms, crammed, hot, staring at a raised platform at equipment, then staring at the sound check guys, then more waiting. Someones smoking weed somewhere. Some people went too hard during the pregame and are a mess. More and more people watching, shooting the shit with the group close by or the security guard. Grabbing another beer. Finding the perfect spot. Getting restless. Then, then that moment comes when the artist steps their feet on stage, picks up the mic, the drum sticks, guitar, steps on the amp pedal and SHREDS your ears, your chest, your soul for a few hours of this crazy cosmic experience of so many people, from so many different backgrounds and stories all united because of this band or singer – who has their own story, their struggles, their road to stardom that somehow broke through the airwaves and to your ears. To connect with your mind and gives you that love for music, something so abstract. To be united with them in a space where that’s all anyone else is there for is magnetic.
When I was younger I’d be at shows whenever I could make it. Quick aside on life in general: The lyrics of “Time” By Pink Floyd are so profound: The words are simple and so stark that they are poetic.
“You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today.
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.”
-Pink Floyd
Sometimes i can’t believe I am the age I am (22! Ha! JK, 34) and that I’m a wife and a mom. Then I remember things like how much I still love going to live shows and i realize I am also still me, just have more depth to my life and personality. When I was pregnant I think I went to five concerts: Queens of the Stone Age, Gary Clark Jr., Conor Oberst, The Flaming Lips, and The Shins. I’m not some hippie wook – don’t look at me like that. I’m not bringing my kids back to a live show until they are old enough to drink with me or someone’s in utero. I think bringing babies to concerts is asinine. End rant.
Last night I was able to see Jack White perform with The Raconteurs. It was PHENOMENAL. He’s a wizard and had the crowd in the palm of his hand. I think everyone at The Rapids Theater would have made love or murdered someone for him if he shouted the request. I am still smiling about it. It was a no phones show which I think is great b/c it gives you no option to dick around on Amazon or Instagram. You’re there for the experience. Just a raw, real evening of rocking out and drinking some beers.
Hearing them perform the album “Help Me Stranger” that I’ve been non-stop blasting all summer was like candy. They brought the house down and re-birthed me last night. As time has passed in my life my show-goer friends are few and far between. My old show crew has stopped going or we no longer live near each other. They don’t like it, too expensive, not worth, whatever they say, it all makes me shake my head. If it’s a band that I love I will usually pay whatever I can afford to get my body to the space they’ll be performing. So before last night I did find myself second guessing if I am too old to be doing this stuff. Jack showed me that I’m not and I FUCKING LOVE going to concerts. It’s going to take a while for the stars to disappear from my eyes and the pulse of the speakers to to fade from my ears. Which is great because I don’t have any upcoming tickets.
What makes you come alive? Are you a band geek? Did you see a show from this Raconteurs tour? Talk to me!
high, momma 