A group of college friends decided to get together for a Dave Matthews concert last summer in Indiana. A big group, headed "home" for an epic reunion. People flying in from all over the country for a chance to re-live the crazy-college days. Definitely not a party to be missed. Plus, I had just finished my first tour and was soaring off the freedom of unemployment.
A concert though. For fun? In the last year, there had been to a lot of concerts. In total: 71, plus, 2 awards shows, 4 TV specials, 4 festivals, and the opening of the World Cup. Concerts everywhere. Shows in such a variety of venues. Backstage passes everywhere, because I was being paid to attend. Well, I was being paid to build them. It was work. Sure, there was the occasional backstage pass to John Mayer I found from a roadie friend of a roadie friend, but overall shows meant work. The novelty wears off quickly.
But, why shouldn't I be able to celebrate music and summer with some friends? It was too late to buy tickets, so I embraced the perks of the experience and got myself on the pass list. That morning was craziness. Coolers, outfit changes, liquor store runs, who will drive, more outfit changes, limo rentals, another beer run, who isn't here, get everyone here, we need to leave here to get there on time, sunglasses, solo cups, stop at the gas station for cigarette, stop at another gas station to use the bathroom, pay to park....and we're in. And I thought putting on the show was a lot of work!
See, that's what I forget. I think that's what all of us in entertainment forget. This whole experience is suppose to be fun. The audience wants to be at these shows. They plan ahead. They coordinate groups and outfits and count down the days until they get to share in the experience. An experience I have forgotten how to enjoy.
So, I set forth the challenge at the start of every run: Take a moment to watch the show. To watch the audience. Take a breath. Stop. And remember how much fun this all should be.
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