If I was one of the youngest people at the last concert I went to… I think I was one of the oldest at this one! But look at me – two concerts in one year! Woot!
Steven and I saw Milky Chance at the Turner Hall Ballroom on Thursday night in Milwaukee. Soon after I realized I love their sound last September, I stumbled across a Facebook post that they were touring in the US this year, so I grabbed tickets to their Milwaukee show.
This was my first time attending a “standing room only” show. And my first time seeing a certain drug (that is legalized in other states but not Wisconsin) in person. Ha. You could say there was a very eclectic crowd of mostly young people there. Seriously, I heard one girl say her mom told her to come home “immediately after the show.” Giggle. I am not sure why I was surprised to see people smoking there – I always told Steven I thought Milky Chance was that kind of music.
But back to it being standing room only. It was neat to be so close to the stage! Cozy, but neat! I never imagined I would be that close to the artists.
I also never imagined how frustrated I would feel by the people taking photos and videos the whole time, texting others, uploading to Facebook, snap-chatting, etc. Sure, take a photo or two to document that you were there – I took three photos of the band, no shame! But the whole. damn. time?! Put your freaking phones down! My view of the stage had several glowing phones in it, most of the time (hence why I know what they were doing on them).
Yes, I see the irony of me using my phone to take this photo, and why you might think it makes me a hypocrite. Ha.
In fact, it was so bad that the lead singer said “take a journey with me, put your phones in your pockets, use your eyes and ears.” Sigh. Just be IN the moment, people. Did that stop them? Nope.
Then at the movies this weekend, I saw someone recording parts of Pitch Perfect 2 on their cell phone. Really? REALLY?! Grrrr.
But other than that, I really enjoyed the show. A band I’d never heard of, FMLYBND, opened for them, and I am looking forward to checking out some of their songs on iTunes. And Milky Chance sounded almost JUST like they do on their album. Minus the bass being turned up WAY too much and an added harmonica player (eh, I could do without). I really liked the stage set up and lighting during the show.
Steven isn’t as familiar with their music as I am, so he listened to the songs the week leading up to the concert so he’d know what he was listening to. Cause we know that people get more pleasure from songs they are familiar with! I certainly do, and he was happy he had listened to them in advance. They did play two songs that aren’t on their album though, and I liked them! I wonder when they will be available on iTunes!
We went to a Fall Out Boy concert a while ago and I definitely think we were the oldest people there who weren’t with their pre-teen kids! I’ve never heard of this band before but they sound great. And the phone thing annoys me too. I can’t believe people would do that the whole time. And filming the movie is even worse 🙁
Oh yeah! That is definitely a younger crowd! Did you like the show? I am not digging their new song (the Uma Thurman one).
I can’t believe they do it the entire time, either. Like, I totally get a few pics… maybe one vid? But come on, whey are you there? Just to tell people you were… while you are there?!
Love concerts!
The phone thing is out of control these days lol
I think I took 5 pictures at Busch Gardens Friday just because I was busy being in the moment “)
I admit I do think to snap more these days since I blog…
Why not take a pic or two? I totally think there is NOTHING wrong with that! Especially because it is nice to have it later to show a friend or post on your blog or Facebook! I just don’t get why it has to be instant… and so many, for some of these people!
Glad you had fun in MKE! So, funny story about this show you were at: an organization I volunteer with has our final event of the year every year at Turner Hall, and it was supposed to be on Thursday but I guess they double-booked us with this show so we had to move it to Weds even after all our marketing materials had gone out. So, glad it was a good show but grrrr you stole our night!! Haha jk 😛
The phone thing actually makes me kind of sad. No one wants to call it what it is: an addiction. It’s Pavlov’s Dog without all the drool. What gets me is people taking videos. Are you really going to sit around later and watch a video of the concert you were at??
Ha ha! Oops! Sounds like their bad!!!! How was your even on Wed?
It is TOTALLY addiction. It’s so sad 🙁 I notice it a lot. And not just at concerts – at races, when people are with friends, when someone is talking to them… get off your dayum phone!
I said the same thing to Steven – are you really going to go back and watch all those vids? I mean, phones take good ones now, but the quality can’t be THAT great!
We saw Of Mice & Men while we were in NYC last week, and I do believe we were the oldest ones there too! That phone thing drives me bat shit crazy.
I think there was a woman in Rosemont who got in big trouble (arrested) about 5 years ago when she filmed parts of a movie. I believe it’s a felony. So it’s not only just annoying to those who are sitting nearby! 🙂
Oh yeah, it’s totally a felony! I was SHOCKED to see her doing it!
We went to a Lana del Rey concert last year and were the oldest ones there. I usually try to avoid standing room only shows/tickets, but sometimes they can’t be avoided, so I’ll put up with it for an act I really like 🙂
I think the phone stuff is just going to be a generational thing. And we can’t really blame the kids, it starts with their parents. If you consider that from the moment a baby is born nowadays, their every move is documented publicly. It used to just be for the baby book and family. Now it’s for the world. Is that good or bad?
I thought standing room only was a fun experience (and good exercise)! 🙂 But I am only going to concerts I’d want to do that for – I don’t get out much, ha ha.
I think it started with this generation but I don’t see it changing unless people start using google glass and are more discreet or if something more high tech comes out.
I honestly don’t believe every thing needs to be documented publicly. I really think people should pick and choose 🙂 But that’s just me. You really start to form opinions on people based on what they share and some people don’t seem to grasp that.
I totally agree that everything does not need to be shared. For one thing, NO ONE CARES. It’s so boring. For another, I think it just doesn’t reflect well. It makes you look either cocky/arrogant or desperate to show the world that you have a life.
Yep, yep, and yep. I know some people who come off as complete a-holes online, but aren’t in real life… and it’s too bad for the people who mostly interact with them online!
I’m just always amazed with the stuff people thought was interesting enough to share on social media. Maybe it’s because I work in PR/marketing, so I’m already thinking “is this relevant? does anyone care? will they engage?” all day long.
Buah ha ha! I bet it would be hard NOT to have that perspective!
The last concert I went to was with J, and we saw Hunter Hayes. LOL!! The entire audience had their phones out, too. Seems to be the norm these days at ANY event, which is sad to me. I wanted to just dance and sing along, but the phones were so distracting. Love Milky Chance, btw. Nice to hear they sound good at a live show.
Since I don’t even know who that is, it must be popular with people WAY younger than me! 🙂
Milky Chance is going to be in Chicago in July! 😉
He’s a younger country singer that my daughter likes! I got her tickets for her birthday a couple years ago. 🙂
When in July??
I think I read July 25.
That’s crazy about the phones! Even after the band said something. :/ Glad you still had fun though!
Glad you got to see your group! I totally agree with you on the excessive use of phones at concerts, I always think it must be so frustrating for the artists.
I was just wondering the other day if you were still listening to your serendipitous music find! I guess you are. Ugh, I never like the idea of going to concerts because I feel like I’d get so annoyed by the other attendees acting like jerks. The cellphones thing is SUPER annoying (and at the movies?!? What?!?)!!