Today as I was driving on back roads throughout the countryside to drop off inserts for the paper in Wells, I let my mind wander, as it usually does when I’m driving. I got to thinking about past years and what my life used to be like when I was 15, 16, and 17.
When I got back home, I decided to make a list of all the different bands I’ve seen in concert. It took me almost an hour to make the whole list; partly because I had to go through old Facebook posts in order to compile the list.
I was looking through posts from 2009 and 2010 when I started to think about just how much my life has changed since then. I have a whole new group of friends I hang out with every day, I’ve got different interests and hobbies, and I’ve grown up a lot.
This really isn’t where I expected to be at this point in my life, but I’m happy and doing well, and that’s more than I could’ve ever asked for.
I used to go to many more concerts when I was younger, which is kind of strange, because I didn’t have a license then. My dad was great about taking my friends and me to shows, and I’m so glad he did because some of my best memories were at concerts.
The first show I went to was in 2006. I was 12, and my dad had two tickets to see Bruce Springsteen at the Xcel Energy Center. He was going to take a friend, but they were unable to go, so I did instead. I didn’t really know any of the songs, but it was an incredible experience that sparked my interest in concerts.
The second one was also in 2006 at the Target Center. My dad had bought two tickets to The Who, but he was sick and couldn’t attend, so my mom and I went.
After that, I couldn’t get enough. The following spring, I convinced my dad to buy me tickets to see Fall Out Boy, Cobra Starship, +44, and The Academy Is... on the Honda Civic Tour at the Target Center. I brought my best friend, Jasmine, and my mom drove us there and stayed with us during the show (which she later admitted she actually enjoyed).
During the last song of their set, Fall Out Boy’s front man told everyone in the stands to go down onto the main floor (if they desired). Jasmine and I did, obviously, and it was like a completely different world than it was in the stands. The people, the lights, being that close to a band that you love — there’s really no way to describe it. It was something I’ll never forget.
All in all, I’ve seen 38 bands live since I was 12, which is pretty impressive considering that’s only seven years ago. The list, which took me almost two hours to come up with, includes: Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Fall Out Boy (four times), Cobra Starship (two times), +44, The Academy Is.., Gym Glass Heroes, Plain White Tees, Cute is What We Aim For, Panic! at the Disco (two times), The Hush Sound, Phantom Planet, Motion City Soundtrack, Steely Dan, All Time Low, Metro Station, Hey Monday, Blink-182, Chester French, Hollywood Undead, Atreyu, Papa Roach, Avenged Sevenfold, Flyleaf, Buckcherry, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, A Day to Remember, We Came as Romans, Pierce the Veil (two times), Bring Me The Horizon, My Chemical Romance, Neon Trees, The Architects, Woe is Me, Miss May I, Marilyn Manson, and Rob Zombie.
I’m getting all nostalgic again just reading through that list and remembering the amazing times I had. I plan on seeing many more bands throughout the rest of my years; music has always been a passion of mine.
It has helped me get through some really hard times. I don’t know why, or how to describe it, really. Music has just always been really important to me. Like when you hear a really good song by one of your favorite bands, and you almost get chills and this overwhelming sense of love for the band and the people in it.
Those band members spent a lot of time and money putting that together for you and their other fans. Imagine that, but times 100. That’s what a concert is like, to me.
Until next time, readers. I have to add that I am still pretty sore from the accident but I’m still O.K.; thank you to everyone who has shown their concern. I hope you all have something in your lives that you’re truly passionate about, because if not, you’re not truly living.
