I just experienced 2 completely different back-to-back concerts. Both great, both totally different. First up:

DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL
Acoustic Benefit Show for Katrina Victims
Phoenix
09.18.05


Going into this show I knew that I would be surrounded by 17-year olds. D/C is a guilty pleasure of mine. I'm not a major EMO fan, but I just can't help but sing, no CHANT along with Chris as he screams and whines about girls tearing his heart out, backstabbing him, cheating on him, lying and leaving him with nothing but his heart on his sleeve (after being stepped on and battered).

SO GOOD!!

Coming with the territory, sharing the floor with teens made me feel quite old. I couldn't believe how selfish some of the girls were. In particular, 2 colour bleached blondes beside me would not stop complaining. It was irritating to listen to these princesses. First, they complained to each other how I apparnetly cut infront of their friends (PS - we're sqashed on the floors; does it look like you have a reserved space in the pit?); Second, they complained about the heat; Third, they complained about the hot floodlights when they came on to illuminate the crowd; Fourth about how there could be a mosh pit (PS - solo acoustic show. Get real.) and she has really nice sandals that could get ruined; Fifth, how there were 4 guys in the front who were really annoying b/c they can't see well (PS - they were there before you even arrived); Six, asking the guy in front if they could move a little b/c they can't clearly see the stage (PS - once the show starts everything will move. Thankfully the guy said the same); and finally Seven, "omg I didn't come here to see an opening band, i just like came here to see Dashboard" (PS - how do you think D/C got big? Opening for other bands princess, not b/c they were on OC last season). More complaints followed, but I couldn't take it and squished myself out of ear shot from them.

Was I that selfish when I was her age? Talk about high maintenance. She had a few pounds make up, glitter, mendochino style clothing and her hair was straighened. Although out of earshot, I couldn't help but grin upon the sight of her not impressed with her face paint running once the concert started.

Ok, to the show. First up was Most Serene Public, who had a quick 30 min set. Lots of clapping throughout the set. I've heard a lot about them, and I've gotta say they're not my cup of tea. Nothing unique about the sound, but it was hard to tell w/such a quick and dirty set. Not bad though...

D/C was great. Chris came on with John, his guitarist- and he played his guts out. Because D/C tunes are no more than 3 mins song, he literally went through his entire library on his 2.25 hour set! Chris engaged the audience by encouraging the audience to sing with him. We even sang the other back up vocals when Chris was singing. He also egged the crowd on even more when he was telling a story about being excited to see the new TV shows, then breaking out the "OC" theme song - the crowd was deafening! Chris also pulled out some music from the vault of which he hasn't played in years. It made the evening feel unique. This was his first of 3 acoustic benefit shows, so it made this night feel truely special.

It was quite an intimate setting being at the Phoenix, and me being 4th row made it that much better. My friend almost started crying he was so close; not because he was a giddy girl, but b/c he felt so lucky to be this close when so many other ppl would pay a lot to be where we stood.

Both the bands, the T-shirts and the phoenix venue offered their services for free. I picked up a T-shirt in support of the cause and left with my own giddy smile on my face. I didn't care that I was 7 yrs older than the median audience age. I was fulfilled and enjoyed every minute of it! I just hope even the princesses can appreciate how lucky they were when sharing their story in the lunch room.

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Sigur Rós
Massey Hall
09.19.05

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