Live music has become such a part of my life. It captures all emotions in one setting and allows a person to heal, breathe, remember, and feel in ways that are irreplaceable.
Today, I wanted to write an entry about some of the live shows I have been to and how they have effected me.
First, here is a complete list of bands I have seen.
**The Eagles X 2
**Shinedown X 5
**Breaking Benjamin
**Stone Temple Pilots
**Chevelle
**Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
**Seether
**Korn
**Staind
**Black Stone Cherry
**Sevendust
**Saliva
**Trapt
**Papa Roach
**10 Years
**Theory of a Deadman X 2
**Saving Abel X 2
**Buckcherry X 2
**Redline Chemistry
**Rev Theory X2
**Creed
**Sick Puppies
**Like a Storm
**The Offspring
**Ziggy Marley
**The Expendables
**Taking Back Sunday
**Anberlin
**The Used
**Alkaline Trio
**Steve Winwood
**Days of the New
**Kate Voegele
Some of these bands have been life-changing…others have made me want to dig my ear-drums out (see The Used)….
But in general, when I am at a concert, I am at my happiest. Standing under the stars, in the heat, or in a stadium, on the tips of my toes, dying to get as close as possible without being moshed-pitted to death, the smells associated with concerts that form a sweet aroma, I know that this is where I am met to be. The bass booming so loud it vibrates your chest cavity, the screaming fans, the irresistible melodies floating over the thousands gathered, the head banging and face melting riffs…..concerts are absolute bliss to this rocker.
My favorite concert moment was seeing Shinedown at the Blue Note in Columbia, MO. That venue is incredible. Intimate theater. Small stage. RIGHT THERE. It was like a dream. Black Stone Cherry opened up, setting me in a pre-rockin mode. Then came on Shinedown. I have never felt more connected with a band and music more in my life than in their 1.5 hour set-list that just sent me over the edge of concert heaven.
I remember one specific moment, Eric (the bass player), pointed directly at me and smiled. I was so close to the stage…it just really felt like I was up on stage rocking out with the band. The way they looked into the eyes of their fans made it feel so much more than just another concert. We were there. In that moment. With them….Meeting the band afterward was also a plus. And when they came back for the Encore and finished with “Fly From the Inside,” I thought my heart would explode because I was that happy.
Another awesome concert experience. Rockfest 2009 in Kansas City. I worked the autograph booth all day, so I was able to meet and greet every single band member of every single band at Rockfest which was one of the best days of my life. However, I didn’t get a chance to see much of the show because I was worried if Corey Taylor had water or not…totally worth every single second…
Anyway, after a long day, my boss told us interns we got to go backstage for Korn. I was ECSTATIC to say the least. Korn has been around forever making an impact on the youth like me. Jonathan Davis enters the stage wearing a kilt and playing the bagpipes. I can feel my face just frozen in a permanent smile. I couldn’t believe I was backstage watching Korn. Their performance was so energy-filled, we could have powered all of KC with the vibe. “Freak on a Leash” was incredible, along with “Falling Away” and” Another Brick in the Wall” and of course the song that surely damaged my neck from head banging so hard, “Got the Life.” Jonathan Davis was giving his performance so much, I saw him use a oxygen mask in between songs. The way he made 50 + thousand people jump and scream and rock out can never be done again I believe. The crowd was one mass of ever-moving, sweaty bodies, pounding their way closer and closer.
I could go on and on about all the shows I’ve been to and the way concerts make me feel….The Eagles, who I have seen twice, definitely have the most musical talent. They switched instruments almost after every song, vocalized in perfect harmony, and had a stage presence that was indescribable. I think they are one of the only bands I can say sound better live than being recorded. That shows the magnitude this band has.
All in all, concerts are the ultimate. I hope to go to as many shows as I can in my life, no matter the money or time restraints. I know I will always find happiness at a concert.
Here’s a few bands that I have NOT seen that I would sell my liver to…well or close to:
*Foo Fighters
*Slipknot
*MUSE
*Breaking Benjamin
*Audioslave
*Avenged Sevenfold
*Three Days Grace
*Incubus
*Lifehouse
*Manson
*Red Hot Chile Peppers
*Linkin Park
Just a few….but definitely in my have-to-see-before-I-die list.
I loved this! And we’re going to Breaking Benjamin aren’t we? We should get on that but that’ll be another one to cross off your list! I wish I had seen as many as you but hopefully I will someday.
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