The Live Post (concerts) Pt.1

There is something incredible about going to a live show and seeing someone perform. You can really see the passion in what they do and it makes listening to their music just more enjoyable. My first experience with this feeling was Weird Al. I was about 10 years old when he came to my hometown. As a kid, and definitely still today, his music is uplifting and fun. It helps nurture the childish side of my personality, but it doesn't take anything away from my growth. One of the more noticeable factors of his success is his obvious connection to his fans. He isn't pretending to be someone and he isn't making this music just for money or fame. There is a beautiful joy that you can see in his live performance. Being that it was my first show, I didn't know what to expect from a live concert, and after seeing him a second time, Years later, I can see that he was going through a hard time during the first show. The first time I saw him was back in 2004, literally, the day after both of his parents died. I can't imagine losing two people very close to me and then going on to perform the very next day. He had canceled whatever meet and greet package was set up for the event, but who the hell could blame him. I remember reading about it, after the fact, and he talked about how much he knew his music had helped his fans through tough times. His hope was that it could now help him. When I need a break from reality, or even just to see the world for how crazy it really is. I can put on music of his from a few years ago or multiple decades and still get an immense joy from them. The second time I saw him I was about 17 or so and the experience was even better. Weird Al makes myself and so many more people around the world so happy, and seeing him live was an amazing time that I think more people should get to witness.

After the incredible time that I had at the Weird Al concert, I wanted more. The second show I went to was actually a Country concert, Keith Urban. His music is definitely country but has a nice rock hint to it. His record, The Golden Road, was something that I found pretty early on and fell in love. It is still one of my favorite records and I'm honestly really happy that this was my second concert. There isn't a lot to say about this show because it was a pretty standard arena show, but it was in no way a bad concert. This one was just so long ago and I've had so many amazing experiences that it is hard to remember all the details. Nonetheless, I had a great time and this would foster my excitement to get to more concerts.

I remember my first Rock concert fairly well actually. There was an opening band by the name of Killswitch. At the time, I was confused because Killswitch Engage had just gotten very popular and my belief was that this was them. They weren't really a group that I was familiar with, so after hearing them play, I just assumed it was them. (very lackluster, I must say) After them, it was City Sleeps. These guys actually stuck with me. I went home after the show and found some of their music and will sometimes still listen to the album. From what I could tell, there wasn't a lot of music from them and I believe they have since broken up, but I have to say they put on one hell of a live show. I remember how amazing it was to watch the drummer, always moving, while banging on the drums. He looked unstoppable. There was such passion and confidence in his movements like he was born to do this. Now, we have Drowning Pool. Again, not really a band that I listened to, but I knew a bit more from them, specifically, Bodies. Great solid song, but it's really all I knew/know. I've actually seen them twice now because they apparently open for bands I like. The key thing I took out of their performance was their bassist. It was just like the drummer from City Sleeps, so much emotion. You could see that he loved it and wanted nothing more than to be on that stage forever. It was the exact same way when I saw them a second time, so I know this wasn't just some sort of childish belief, he really loves it. Other than him, there wasn't a ton that I took notice of, from their part of the show. Finally, we get to Saliva, the headliner, star of the show! They were bad. This was like peak Saliva too. They had a few albums out, just gotten a single to be played on WWE and were on what I believe to be their first headlining tour, so they really should have been great. Who knows, maybe it was just a bad night and they are normally better than that, but it was really disappointing to me, at the time. Overall, the experience was great and I found some new music to listen to. It was my first mosh pit, which was exciting. There was a man in a wheelchair who was rolling around pushing everybody and it showed me the wonderful community that there is within rock and metal music. I remember seeing him tip over and everyone stopping to get him up, and there was something so oddly refreshing about watching him get right back into pushing them around, as soon as he got up.

This would obviously not be my last time in a mosh pit though. There is such a rush when you get into the middle and push and shove and flow. If you can really let yourself go, you forget where you are, and the stupid problems that surround you. The mundane tasks you have to complete tomorrow or the bills you have to pay. On the other hand to this, sometimes they hurt. My first Marilyn Manson concert was a blast, but it wouldn't be complete unless moshing was done. A few songs into his performance, I find the pit. As I work my way towards the flinging bodies, I can tell it is a bit rougher than what I usually end up in, but that isn't going to stop me. I see my opening and I leap in, push someone, get pushed to the side, PUNCHED IN THE FACE, and I proceeded to leave the pit. It was a really fun time actually. It hurt a decent bit, but I wouldn't let that keep me from future mosh pits. So far, that has been my only rough experience in a pit. I've seen some great ones, and then you have circle pits and shows where you are a little afraid that if you trip you will be trampled over. Part of the enjoyment, for me at least, is the fact that everyone is just there in the moment. There aren't people pulling their phones out for a video, or trying to talk about what's happening. Life is just happening. I'm not great at taking a look at the world around me without panicking and overthinking everything, so these moments are very precious to me. There hasn't been a show that I can go to with someone and just experience this with them, in a very long time. For me to get this feeling, I have to abandon my friends and get into the crowd because no one seems to feel it like I do. In the past, I had some people who would love to get in the middle of it and just lose themselves. I do miss that, a little. The people in my life are definitely better people, and I'm much closer to them, but this is an experience that I want to share with someone. One of my main hopes for a future relationship is someone who understands this feeling and wants to get into the crowd and just let loose.

I'd love to hear about some of your favorite concerts, in the comments. I've talked about my favorite a bit, in another post, but will go into more detail in the future. Honestly, probably closer to pt.3 if I keep writing this way... I will be back with another post soon, and as always, Thank you for reading!