Hey, Let's All Band Together

I've been having all these wonderful opportunities, seeing multiple concerts lately with several of my friends. I saw Modest Mouse in Boston and Switchfoot and The Goo Goo Dolls. All three bands are amazing, talented, and have devoted fans.

The neatest was when Switchfoot's lead singer Jon Foreman crawled through the audience and stood on a chair DIRECTLY in front of me singing "Dare You To Move". He stayed there for some time and then ran back to the stage and finished the song. They were incredible!

When you get chances to see shows, take them. When you get chances to see ANYTHING, take them. Life goes by to quickly to not take advantage of those situations.

The power of music, which really hits you at a concert, inspired me to write a poem, coming soon!

Also the top five things that make or break a show:

Five things that make a concert:

1. When the band stops every so often to speak to you. It's really great when they ask "How are you all doing tonight?" It's pretty much one big ego boost for them because chances are everyone is doing well. Side note: I bet Uncasville CT is NOT their favorite place, like they say.
2. If you have a chair. I bet a lot of people would disagree with me on this, but when your back gives out and your knees get wobbly and some guy is knocking into you over and over, you tend to miss what a chair feels like.
3. When you know the songs. Sometimes I'm not the most devoted fan and I sit through a setlist and only know 50 percent of the music. It's tough when you see everyone else mouthing the lyrics.
4. When the singers aren't AS good live as they are on CD. I know, this sounds weird, but it just goes to show that they're not lip-syncing and that they're putting forth the effort.
5. When the band comes out to meet the fans. Either coming out INTO the audience (FOREMAN!) or into the lobby to sign cds, tickets, babies, or whatever just shows that they really do care about those coming to listen to them.

Five things that break a concert

1. Not having a good view. It's really unfortunate when a person who is 6'5" shares your passion about the band. You might never see the sweat glistening on your favorite rockers.
2. Expensive concessions. Screaming "WOO" for an hour straight really gives you a case of cottonmouth. However, it should not be legal to sell a bottle of water for $3 to $5 when you can get a 16 pack for $8 at a Sam's Club. Nature's perfect elixir is man's perfect scam.
3. Bad sound systems. If your band is nice enough to speak to you, it's always good to listen to what they have to say. "Meh fleh goo la de da do" could mean "Amy, it'd be great if you could come on stage with us." You just never know!
4. When the singers aren't as good live as they are on CD. This goes both ways. If something is played differently then the recorded version that you love so much it could be downright depressing.
5. If the concert is too long or too short. If you REALLY love some band that much, a four hour concert might be the perfect way to top off your day. However, if you have to get home and watch your favorite reality tv show, then it could be terrible! Conversely, if a concert is too short, you start to wonder if the band likes Big Brother too...