Only a true music lover will understand the feeling, but it has to be said. If you take it through that annoying perspective of repetition, I can ask you dumb questions too: Why do you watch the same movie again and again? Why the hell does TV show rerun even exist? Why do you keep going to the same restaurants? Why do you keep hanging out with the same people?

The answer is very simple: It is natural to keep doing what you love again and again! You’ve got to find what it is that makes you happy. Watching my favorite bands playing live is one of the million things I’m bound to be found doing; and guess what? I will never stop!

If we share the same passion for concerts, I’m sure you will never forget your first real concert! It’s not about the musical style you are into. I won’t judge, I couldn’t care less if you love Justin Bieber or Charles Aznavours. My point is and will always be the music. My first concert for instance was in 2001. I was 12 years old and went with my mom, who by the way might be the person who led me to discover that precious hobby, which soon became a frequent activity in my life.

Looking back to that day, it is not even close to being the best concert I`ve been to. It was just an average Brazilian rock band called Capital Inicial, they were having a comeback and were all over the radio with a catchy new single: ‘Natasha’. The image of seven thousand people gathered singing their songs with every last breath was incredible. I had never seen anything like that before, and it was beautiful.

I left the concert wanting more and the rest is history. From that moment on I was hooked! As I grew and defined the kind of music appeals more to me, I started attending concert after concert.

So many concerts, so many festivals, some weird bands, some surprisingly good unknown bands, a few outstanding ones and those that become sacred to you. All together in your old dirty list. Yes! A list! I have one with 158 gigs on and counting!

You get so used to it that I bet at some point you wished you could go on the road with a specific band, in fact you have… I mean, not WITH the band, but you have traveled to see a show, right? If you haven’t, please pick up your backpack and go!

I’m from the 90’s, so I can only wish I could have seen those supreme bands from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. I missed out on The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Bob Dylan, The Smiths, The Clash, Johnny Cash, Black Sabbath, David Bowie, Simon and Garfunkel and so many others, but hey, I still got my share of good moments on the road.

I was there when Steven Tyler jumped on a piano singing his ass off along with Joe Perry. I saw myself (TWICE) in the middle of a huge crowd clapping along to one of Muse’s anthem “Starlight”. I was present during the last Oasis concert in Brazil, shouting at the top of my lungs to the lyrics of “Don’t Look Back in Anger”. I have been to at least 18 Pitty’s concert and I am aware that the band only hits the stage after “Smells Like Teen Spirit” plays on the speaker. I was filming The Killers’ lead guitar doing his great solo during “Read My Mind” while everybody else was staring at Brandon Flowers’ pretty face. I saw The Strokes up close and Julian Casablancas proved to me why they’re the best band from New York City in the 00’s. Me and 75 thousand held a sign with a big “OHHHHH” while Dave Grohl and his Foo Fighters performed the cathartic “Best of you”, I got to see U2’s gigantic 360° stage, Joss Stone’s divine voice and Axl Rose pretend that the Guns are still the same, don’t get me wrong, I played along!

I confess I’m slowing my rhythm. With time you realize you are not fifteen anymore and that sitting on mud, standing still for seven hours straight or holding your pee is extremely tiring, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got to stop going to concerts! Just choose them wisely and stand comfortably in the back with your beer and a bathroom at sight! Let the kids suffer, it’s their time!