Concerts from age 16 to 36
Recently, I went to see 3 of my favorite 90s bands: Tonic, Our Lady Peace and Collective Soul. It seems my heartthrobs from high school all need money now, so they all back into a van and play together.
Truth be told, I really went to see Collective Soul. Tonic and Our Lady Peace were OK, but they were not my favorites. I knew fewer songs by them, and they just don’t have the special place in my heart Collective Soul has. I listened to that 1995 self-titled blue album (in cassette form of course) until I knew every word. My favorite song of theirs isn’t even on that album, but it was miraculous.
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The concert was at the Rose Music Center in Huber Heights, which is an amazing venue. It outdoors and no matter how hot it may be, it is nice and cool under the giant overhang. The drink prices are steep, but that’s why you drink beforehand.
I had a great time, but I will say that concerts at age 36 are a lot different than when I was age 16. I used to love concerts especially ones held outdoors. My first job was at Hara Arena, so I was able to see so many bands. And it was great then. It’s still fun, but things are just really different now that I’m older going to concerts.
People on phones: This has to be the biggest difference and also the most annoying. First off, why are you recording this concert? Why are you taking pictures? These bands have been around for decades. Any video you take and upload to YouTube will get exactly 3 views, and 2 of those are you checking to make sure it works. The other one is me adding the video to my blog. I guess I can understand pictures. You might want a keepsake. But when you are spending the entire concert looking through a screen, you might as well just be at home watching the concert. Put the phone down and make a god damn memory, people!
Really loud: My ears are older. Things are loud. We tend to sit close because my husband likes to be able to see what kind of instruments they are using. It’s impossible for us to talk during the show because we can’t hear. I just look at him doing amateur mime until he finally realizes that he needs to move because I seriously have to pee.
Concert was 3 hours long: Like I said, I went to outdoor concerts when I was young. I went to the first 2 Edge Fests and saw some amazing bands. Those shows were all day long. This concert started at 7 and didn’t end until 10. I don’t want to sound like an old curmudgeon, but I was ready to go after 2.5 hours. At 2 hours, my husband and I started talking about what we would eat when we would get home. We ended getting Taco Bell on the way home. My colon passed away that night.
Kids were there: Obviously, when I was 16, no one brought their kids to concerts. That’s what your mom was there to do. Babysit while your slutty butt rocked out. I appreciate people are making their kids listen to good music, but I want to be able to say “fuck” without getting stares. One hilarious thing I did notice was a dad with his daughter. This super hip dad has a skull T-shirt on, but it was tucked in.
Musician husband doesn’t rock out: When I went to concerts with friends when I was young, we always danced or got kicked in the mosh pit. One of my friends lost her pants once. It was awesome. Now, I go to concerts with my musician husband, and he just sits there and watches. No singing, swaying, foot tapping or head bobbing. Since he’s a musician, he just likes to watch how they play and tell me shit about the instruments that I do not know nor do I care about. I act like I care though momentarily for his sake. My favorite part of going to concerts now? Drinking, singing, jumping and just embarrassing the shit out of my husband.
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We are going back to the Rose in August to see The Wallflowers and Better Than Ezra. Not only am I thankful there are only 2 bands, I’m thankful I will know most of the songs. These bands were the bees knees to me as a freshman.
Here’s to seeing all my 90s bands for a discount for the next decade!
Prologue: One thing that I really hate about concerts and always have, is when the bands have the audience sing parts of the song. I did not come to the concert to hear Joe Bob sing the chorus to The World I Know. Thanks, but no thanks every band ever!
