Living in Hawaii, we don’t get a lot of first tier concerts. We aren’t the entertainment mecca of a Los Angeles or a New York, or even an Albuquerque, New Mexico.
So when a concert is announced and you have even heard of the headlining band the general feeling is that you should go to it.
This year, I have been to three concerts with three bands that have been heard on MTV: Incubus, 30 Seconds to Mars and Brand New.
While I know and enjoy each of these bands, and their hit singles that get said airplay on MTV, going to their concerts made it abundantly clear that I do not know their much of their catalog of songs or discography beyond that. Thus, being at their concerts surrounded by hard-core band fans who clearly know the lyrics of every b-side track and demo songs, can leave you feeling out of place, faking that you know the lyrics, and trying desperately to fit in (which can be difficult when the guy next to you has a mohawk and you are wearing a Banana Republic shirt).
Every concert, though, I know this is going to happen, so the intention is to do a little homework and research to get acquainted with the band. And yet, every concert, I fail to do this. It’s like going into a test at school having not studied a lick. Or in worse offenses, showing up for class and not even knowing you have test.
It usually doesn’t end up working out, and as such, the concert probably isn’t as much fun as the $40 ticket would lead me to believe.
Perhaps I should start being less of a concert whore and being a little more selective. Damn whoring.
What’s the best concert you have been to that you were actually prepared for?