I’m home. I didn’t stray too far from home—after all, I do live in the suburbs of Chicago. But I just took what has become my new annual “mini-vacation” (it counts as annual since it’s been two years in a row, right?) I was at Riot Fest, all three days, yes, even when it rained. And while I’m exhausted, as I texted my friends, it was “SO WORTH IT.”
From a killer lineup on Friday, with Alkaline Trio, All-American Rejects, Rise Against, and 21 Pilots, to Tool on Saturday and Alanis Morrisette on Sunday (and so many bands in between)… my cup is overflowing.
What is it about a music festival like Riot Fest that makes me feel so darn young again? So much more… myself?
Maybe it’s the fact that we’re listening to music that I grew up listening to. Hello, Alanis Morrisette… who simultaneously made me cry even as I screamed out the lyrics to “Ironic.” I also immediately felt like my teenage self as she ripped into songs like “Hand in My Pocket” and “You Outta Know.” And that long, incredible spin she did?! I seriously don’t know how she didn’t fall over.
Maybe it’s the fact that, at least every time I left to take the el train to the Fest, I forgot about all my responsibilities. I didn’t think about work, or that the house back home was a mess, or any other “adult” related thing.
Maybe it’s because I was hanging out with both old and new friends, chatting and laughing in between sets… and on Sunday, helping each other when we got our feet stuck in the mud, literally.
I always enjoyed live music, but I think, maybe, just throwing this out there, that as an elder millennial (yes, that’s how I’m sharing my age), I appreciate it even more.
I love the way just a few notes can take me back in time. It’s really freaking hard to put into words… which is hard to admit as a writer/author (especially one who is writing a book largely inspired by punk and indie music). But I think anyone who has been to a really incredible concert knows EXACTLY what I’m talking about.
Good live music is ethereal. A balm. Medicine, if you will, for the soul… but maybe not for my knees and my back. After all, as I said, I’m an elder millennial, and my body parts are still a little pissed off at me. But my soul? It feels so light, so relaxed, so incredible.
So yes, I’m exhausted… but I’m also energized. There’s nothing quite like seeing some of your favorite bands live. As I like to say, the only concerts you regret are the ones you don’t go to.
Til next year… and all the concerts I see in between. <3
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This is me attempting to share random writing and things I’m thinking about like “old school blogs.” It also means I’m attempting to just write and POST, as practice for putting myself out there. So, pretty please, forgive any errors/typos. (And yes, clearly I’m a recovering people pleaser, otherwise, why else would I put this caveat in there?)
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