We were told the Blue Pigs would be putting on a show. I imagined guys in pig costumes, or maybe blue animals. Trooped into the cafeteria/meeting room, the small stage was full of amps and musical gear. When the police came out (in uniform? Not sure, can't remember) and did loud sound checks, I put my fingers in my ears, my aversion to loud noises combining with my fears of the unknown. Whoever thought that a Detroit Police rock band would play in an inner city Catholic grade school? After a couple of songs, I was in love, and whoever booked them was obviously a genius. They were talented and contagious, endearing. It was Motown and it rocked. My first experience with live music, live performance.
Taken by family to hear the Irish Rovers, I was blown away. Actual people creating glorious music in front of my eyes. I had no words for it, just wanted to sing along, to dance to it all. I would later prefer more authentic stuff, question my earlier taste. Still, they made beauty, and it is what it is.
My first paid-for-by-me concert was much more exciting in anticipation. A work friend wanted to see the Beach Boys. Not my choice, but I was eager, imagined comfortable seats and engaging music, seeing their faces. Yeah, right, in an arena. The Boys were obviously bored and uninvolved, as was I. Mike Love tried to get a bit of charisma going, give him credit. I came out deaf and disappointed. Let's not even go into having Culture Club tickets foisted on me by a group of college friends. Boy George played to the wings, and the playlist was unknown to me, and monotonous. So when Tanya twisted my arm to go see The Police, it took some major twisting. Joan Jett opened for them, and was booed. I was not hopeful. We were at least on the floor of the arena.
They weren't bored. They seemed to hate each other ~found out later they really did~ but such energy they put into it, they were excruciatingly talented, the songs were power, and Sting was audible through the amplification. I was utterly blown away, and still consider it a miracle that I heard them on their Synchronicity Tour. A point of amazement and pride.
Music concerts would always be rare, occasional fairs or street musicians would constitute my live musical fix. When D worked at a ticket outlet, we went to hear the symphony several times, including one with Christopher Parkening. Nothing like music that raises gooseflesh and lives on in the heart.
I found They Might Be Giants. I have seen them eight different places. I had no idea, seeing them live the first time, only having heard their recordings, that they would be a great dance band. They rock. I have never been disappointed. (Well, the one time they were at a July 4th stadium extravaganza, one in a series of 'entertainments' including a children's choir and frisbee catching dogs, but it wasn't their fault.) They have a confetti cannon. They goof around. They are deeply talented, and very fun, and they let their audiences sing along. And we do. Loudly.
The best music is live, and surprizing, unexpected and impressive. Like a stamp, these moments shape my emotional world. My usual musical taste is thrown out when I heard a good band live, the interaction reaches out past my filters and drags me in, skipping.
6 comments:
I only ever had fun at one big concert; much preferred were the smaller venues. Nowadays I just can't justify spending such huge amounts of money to listen, no matter who it is.
Lucky you, watching Parkening play. Must have been incredible.
C. and I love finding live music unexpectedly. Recently, we wandered into a cafe and watched a group of older gentlemen set up and play horns. Lovely, if not my usual taste. There's an imported Irish bar downtown (yes, the whole bar, as well as most of its employees). We occasionally catch live musicians playing traditional Irish folk music, which has a special place in my heart.
Ooh yes, if I had the money I would definitely go to more life music events. I was particularly interested in your reaction to The Police.
My best concert attended?Dont't know. Difficult. I once sat behind a guitarist on a train in France who was practising. Didn't want to get off at my stop - it was mesmerising. Thank you for getting me thinking.
Mary.
Oh, I've done it to myself. I keep wanting to add more concerts, experiences. A cellist at Park Street that had the crowd waiting for a train silenced, and then we all applauded- unheard of. Or the bagpipe band that was miked! Felt that inside every cell, gorgeous. Or a mesmerizing local street musician who plays a percussion symphony on plastic buckets and fridge racks. A dulcimer player in downtown Detroit, a friend doodling on the piano, a shared song in a moment of unexpected harmony. So much talent and loveliness all around, have we but ears to hear.
One of my favorite things about our trip to Boston was the music scattered everywhere we went. I felt like a child in a candy shop.
Finally saw Triplettes; it was lovely.
The very best music lives and connects. And, sadly, no recording can catch that.
You caught Sting when he was but a wee lad, lucky you. Live is just wonderful. But I do find myself rather ridiculous if I get carried away; recently my beloved REM forced my arms in the air at a concert and had me jumping about singing. Not 60+ behaviour really.
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