5 things I used to like about concerts that I don't now

Last year there were some cracker bands in town and there’s some favs coming in 2020. I’ve been very quick to pony up some dollary doos every time I see a band I like come on sale. I used to go see live music all the time, however the last few years this activity seemed to have slipped from my social calendar, so I started to dial it up again.

On Saturday night I went to see Jon Toogood’s solo acoustic concert - amazing! Highly recommend going to see him if you’re a fan and are nearby one of his upcoming concerts. I really had to make an effort - it was pouring rain and he wasn’t due to come on until 10.30pm - but I rallied and am glad I did.

However, being a 30-something year old woman has certainly made me think about things I used to like about concerts that I no longer do.

Support bands

I understand this is how new bands get exposure and I’m all about supporting new local music, but it’s all about the time. If I get there as soon as the gates/doors open, I have about an hour before the support band comes on, about an hour of the support band playing, then about half an hour before the band I actually paid for comes on stage (these times are pretty fluid depending on the venue). That means I’ve already been standing for at least two and a half hours before the headliner starts. And my back (and tired eyes) just can’t take that anymore. So now I just plan to show up when the headliner comes on stage.

Mosh pits

I gotta say, this one has always been hard for me because I’m a short person. I just get hammered like nobody’s business in a mosh pit. Elbows in the ribs, people standing on my feet, getting drinks spilt down my shirt, tall men standing in front of, well… everyone… I really can’t be bothered being this close anymore (although the last concert I was at I ended up right near the front and everyone was pretty reasonable - maybe the crowd was also my age so maybe that’s why) - these days I prefer a sloped floor so we can all see what’s going on from any distance away.

Losing my hearing

Earplugs - never leave home without them. Yep, I’m now that person. I take along ear plugs to super loud bands so that I don’t have to deal with the ringing in my ears for days after… also so I can maintain my hearing for a few more decades.

Back-to-back drinking

I haven’t gone teetotaler or anything, but I also just happy to drive in and out so that I don’t have coordinate public transport or pay for taxis/ride share services and can be home in a reasonable time after a concert. Now that my siblings have moved to the main live music suburb and have a car space, but no car, that means I can park for free, still have one drink and be home in less than half an hour. I still enjoy a drink, but once a concert starts I’m reluctant to leave to go line up a five-person deep bar and miss any of the set. Often the music is enough for me.

Festivals

In Australia most of our music festivals are held in summer… which makes sense, but it’s also like the surface of the sun. My brother and I have one rule when it comes to festivals - are there at least five bands we want to see? No? Then no. Festivals are usually overpriced, they have that annoying ticketing drink system and the drinks are super expensive and very small in nature. It takes a lot of planning and stamina to survive a festival and I’m starting to think it’s a young person’s game. I’d rather hold out for a sideshow.

Does any of this bother you at concerts or festivals?