What’s one thing you wish you had started doing earlier in life?
“Something Good” Sunday
After my experience last night, this question is easy to answer today. I wish I had started going to concerts a lot earlier in my life. I’ve missed seeing a lot of artists because I just didn’t think that was something I could do. I would hear of friends going to shows and I’d always be a little jealous of who they were getting to see. But I never considered buying tickets. Honestly, I don’t know why I didn’t. I’m buying them now though! And seeing some great acts! Reunion tours and tours that celebrate the nostalgia of the past are a big thing now, and I’m absolutely here for it.
Last night, I saw TLC, Salt-n-Pepa, and En Vogue on their “It’s Iconic” tour. The venue was an outdoor amphitheater about an hour drive from where I live.
Years of my childhood were relived seeing these ladies perform.
When I was in elementary school, I sang “Never Gonna Get It” by En Vogue and loved the “Now it’s time for a breakdown” part. I also sang “Free Your Mind” like I had any idea what the song was really about.
Also while in elementary school, I sang Salt-n-Pepa’s “Let’s Talk About Sex” as though I had first-hand knowledge of it. Which I didn’t, obviously. But my best friend and I sang it at the top of our lungs because the tune was catchy.
I laughed with everybody else when “Salt”, the one in red, talked about how they were trendsetters in the 80s and apologized for us getting in trouble when we were kids for ripping our jeans and talking/singing about sex. I never ripped my jeans (though I wore ripped jean shorts last night), I definitely sang along with them about sex. I don’t recall ever getting in trouble for it though.
When I was in high school, particularly my junior year, I became friends with a new girl who lived in my neighborhood. She had her license and a car so she and I rode to and from school together. In the afternoons, we repeatedly blasted TLC’s “No Scrubs”, again like we were intimately familiar with being hollered at by men hanging off the side of their best friend’s ride.
Chilli was the only member of TLC who was there last night. Apparently, T-Boz has sickle cell anemia and has been sick lately, so she wasn’t there. I was disappointed, but, certainly hope she gets better soon.
My throat is a bit sore today from screaming every time someone on stage said “Raleigh, make some noise!” and of course, singing along to my favorite songs at the top of my lungs. But the uncomfortableness in my throat is worth it. I went to the show alone. I intentionally only bought one ticket. I didn’t try and find anybody to go with me. I certainly wasn’t going to drag Josh to it. His good will at going to “Hamilton” with me earlier this year earned him a pass for this one. Going alone was just fine. I chatted with the people around me and once the show started, I was fully engrossed in singing and dancing and the nostalgia of it all. I had no time to even begin to feel self-conscious that I was there by myself.
I’m sorry that I never considered going to concerts as an option for me before this past year. They are such an incredible experience and I have truly been having the time of my life going to them. Next up, is giving Josh that same blast of nostalgia when Metallica comes to Raleigh next June. Tickets go on pre-sale Monday at 12:00. At 11:59 I will have my phone in hand with the pre-sale code in front of me. It’s his turn to see a band he grew up with. Because honestly, it does something for your soul when you see these songs that were the soundtrack to your life performed right there in front of you by the artists you saw on Mtv. Wish I started doing this earlier, but certainly glad I’m doing it now.
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