Concerts

They remind me of youth. They keep you in the present. All that matters for the night is that you have a good view, you are intoxicated enough to enjoy the performances and still have the use of your faculties. You need to go to the bathroom early enough to withstand the queue before your bladder gives in. Also going in early so that you get your ticket verified and the armband sans another long queue.

I had really missed it, the crowd energy, the chanting, the shouting at the top of your voice, engaging your memory by reciting the lyrics back. Concerts should be recommended by therapists as part of the healing process. There you will get to see that it is just the little things that keep you grateful. Not having your feet stepped on, not having people use where you are standing like a footpath, and constantly excusing people. Being surrounded by females and respectful males who do not grope you. Being there because that is the way you intend to spend your evening.

I like the effort everyone puts in. A lot of planning goes into it. Right from when they announce the Artist who is headlining, settling for the venue, and the local artists whose presence would convince more people to buy the ticket. For the outfit, one considers its breathability because the crowd will increase the temperature by a hot degree and the same outfit also has to withstand the cold when you leave the warmth of the crowd. It is not enough for the list of the performing artists to be displayed, one has to continuously check on them and if they are rehearsing for the big day as much as you are and more so their health. It is such a bummer when an artist comes down with a disease days before or on the day of the performance. We do wish them a quick recovery but also prevention would have been better than cure.

Going to a concert alone is unheard of and mostly because we as humans are social beings and the idea of having good company around is encouraged. This concert was not appealing to my group of friends and constantly getting No as the response when I asked if they would be interested weighed me down. It made me wonder, where did I go wrong with my list of friends? When did everyone grow up and stop considering concerts as fun? When did money to buy an event ticket stop being one of the things we would save for?

I am glad I decided to take a leap of faith and buy the ticket anyway. I am glad that instead of sitting down deep with regret going through people’s posts about the concert, I am taking a much-deserved rest from all the dancing, all the shouting, standing and singing. You will find me in concerts, you will find me singing along, you will find me having the time of my life when the clock stops, and all that matters is the performance. Concerts are where you will find me.

When in doubt, go to that concert.