Jun
22
2008

First show > All others?

posted by Chris Hassen at 9:57 pm.

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The very first concert I ever attended was Trapt, Seether and Smile Empty Soul in Springfield, IL as a sophomore in high school. And it was awesome.

Now, you may be wondering: “Is he just admitting this as a way to get rid of his credibility once and for all? I mean, he did post a video of The Used last month.”

Surprisingly, the answer is no.

The reason I brought this up is simple — as the number of shows I go to continues to rise, it seems that more and more I am losing that sense of awe and wonderment I used to get after seeing a concert.

I mean, I remember that first show like it was yesterday: the thrill of getting the ticket, the constant bargaining to whatever higher power might be out there to get the sound guy to lower the volume (I swear I’ll turn the music down in my car if the drummer just stops his solo now), the painful ringing in my ears for days afterwards (because the drummer kept on banging away and I didn’t turn down my stereo).

But now, it seems that less and less often I go to a truly memorable show. Before someone points out the obvious, I realize that comparing the first concert I ever attended to watching a local band at Canopy is not much of a contest, but I think the core idea is still valid.

I mean, I’ll still occasionally walk away feeling satisfied and amazed (like after watching Snowsera perform at the Local Music Awards), but those moments are becoming fewer and far between.

Is this good or bad? Am I becoming a more discerning concertgoer or I am just old and jaded?

I suppose I know that it’s just a natural progression, but it’s also sort of disappointing.

I miss the days when every show I went to was unforgettable, but I guess I’m also glad that I can now really appreciate those performances that blow me away and leave me wanting more.

In the end, I guess all I’m really asking is: Does anyone else have an embarrassing first concert experience so I don’t have to feel so ashamed?

Chris Hassen: I goes to shows.

Comments

steve (steve) says:
(Posted June 23rd, 2008 at 7:32 am)

blink-182 at Tinley Park. I was in 7th grade.

Travis Barker’s upside-down drum solo changed my LIFE!

Sarah (Sarah) says:
(Posted June 23rd, 2008 at 11:05 am)

Destiny’s Child, right here in C-U at Ass Hall…8th grade.

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