first gig
on tuesday night i went with my sister to see the arctic monkeys. this was the second time i had seen them and although it couldn't compare to my cardiff experience in 2007, it was still pretty rockin'. it was great to go with my sister, who has been a fairly recent convert - we haven't been to many gigs together really (except a stand-out summersault festival in 1995)
apart from the gig itself, the other standout experience was watching the father-son combo taking up the seats in front of us. the son was likely about 11/12 and a wannabe drummer (judging only from the air-drumming).
dad was clearly into rock music and liked the arctic monkeys - especially their earlier stuff. both were dancing, rocking along. both were making bad videos of some of the songs. there would be knowing glances between them and in particularly amazing bits of musical genius, the dad would nudge his son - as a guide to true art.
it was hot in there and son would wipe his sweaty forehead on dad's shirt - which was perfectly acceptable to dad - all in the spirit of truly experiencing a rock'n'roll gig.
i was really proud of that man and a little jealous of that kid. my first gig was at 15, thanks to my best friend and the influence of her older brother. and my sister went to her first gig with her best friend at the time. but this kid is getting handed down a tradition of gig-going from an early age. and being able to share it with his dad, too. what a fantastic way to see a band.
6 comments:
I saw your tweet about this Lauren. Made me smile. I don't think I'll ever forget taking Max and his friends to see the Arctics at The Palais. His first gig and we had front row seats! Highlight being when the singer stooped and asked them in his thick northern accent, "You alright lads?". Brilliant!
Many years from now he'll be reminiscing about the cool kids sitting behind him and how they shaped his life.
a very age conte type post.. In the most awesome sense of the word..
I like your brainy writing, though this type of writing reminds me why I like you, Ms Brown..
stan - i remember you taking max, too. which is also probably why they kept reminding me of you guys. it was pretty special.
john - the gig was so enthralling and encompassing for them that it's unlikely they were concerned at all about who was watching them. long may that be the case.
niko - wowsers! massive compliment there. i don't think i'm quite age conte material, but i do take your point about needing to combining my head with my heart a little more. thank you :)
Today, I've been reading child poets (http://bit.ly/xc9pUn) and thinking I have to start writing again so I can pass it on to my son (only just talking). So this, and I'm going to have to go see live music again.
Wondering what other pieces of my self have fallen off I'll have to pick up so my son can meet the 'real me'...
Authenticity can be difficult to manage.
"Authenticity can be difficult to manage" what an interesting take on it. Perhaps going to gigs like this remind you of your previous authentic self and that really one just has to put oneself in situations that reawaken it.
Having said that, i'm reading a book about musicality at the moment and there are interesting points about the place of music in human development (i'll post a bit more on it).
Post a Comment