Going To A Show

My shows may be completely different then yours.

You may attend a classical evening at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy.

You may attend an open mic, listening to local acoustic artists.

You may attend the biggest rave of your life that you won’t even remember because you were on several different drugs and the only coherent tone that resonated in your mind was when the Disk-jockey yelled “3, 2, 1, jump!”

And finally,

After $100 spent from your parent’s generosity, spent on the lawn of an arena trying to conjure any aspect of Justin Bieber’s sexual appeal to construe an idea that this may be the greatest time of your life.

Now, I’m not trying to step on anyones toes. I’m sure there are people who would die to be in a 100 foot radius of the Biebs.

On the other hand, I attend local metal shows.

Usually the first thing that people ask me is “so you listen to screamo?”

Cringe worthy questions like so usually deprive me of any polite responses. But being the more reserved type, I usually just respond with “yeah, sure.”

Completely ignoring the countless amount of rebuttals I have for people, mainly the fact that screamo is not even a genre of metal.

However, what displaces these shows to the ones listed above has a lot to do with the community.

The metal community in general is extremely diverse…

…yes, I have seen an African American man moshing while wearing a gold chain.

For the people that believe that Metal is classified by an all-white society are completely unethical.

The community here in my hometown are so widespread, I’m always seeing new faces when I’m at a show.

But that’s not even close to the beauty of this community. A metal show is like a family coming together for one moment of freedom. One moment of erasing the background of your past and just lifting your spirits sky high.

Metal shows in my city are around $15–$20, to see around 5 different bands.

There are no seats

There are no barriers

There are some rules (don’t die)

I couldn’t believe how close I was to a band on my first show, I even was on stage one time singing along while the crowd was absolutely thrilled with excitement.

This environment is just tremendously exhilarating. Even if you just wanted to stand in the background and really listen, the amount of energy focused in on that one moment is still enough to make you feel more alive then yesterday.

Altogether, it’s a musical experience like no other.

Though I’m reserved, I never mind going to these shows alone.

Because I don’t necessarily feel alone.

Everyone is all bundled up together waiting for the next band that we all came to witness, either for the first time or the tenth.

Everyone is letting their emotions run free through every chorus and every breakdown.

Everyone is singing along.

Everyone is together as one.

Honestly, that’s the beauty of music.

Maybe it’s just me, but I couldn’t get that from breaking my bank to sit on the grass and listen to someone lip-sync for two-hours.

But, if that’s what you enjoy then go for it. As long as you feel that the experience is placing you in a world that is different and more unique then the rest of the world.

Don’t let anyone stop you from making your own musical experience the best it can be.