(no subject)

[listersgirl]

So last night was Gogol Bordello, which was...interesting.

We got there quite early, because the person I was going with likes to be near the front. So we stood for a while and defended our position (lord, people are rude! and if someone confronts you for pushing in front, the correct answer is not "It's okay"), and waited through the opening act (not bad, just unexciting music*, and my least favourite thing from a band - hectoring the audience into moving around and making noise. I apparently don't respond well to bullying), and got more and more squished as we waited for Gogol Bordello to start.

And then they did, and immediately we were all pushed forward to the point where I was actually lifted off my feet, basically plastered to the person in front of me. There was all sorts of pushing and shoving, and three people beside me fell down, and we were still only 2 minutes into the first song. So we fled (if the definition of fled is struggled our way out through the scary masses of people), and retired to the adults-only area at the back, where the booze was (it was an all ages show, which was probably our first mistake), where we alternated between watching it close up on a big screen** in the company of people who had some idea of the meaning of personal space, and who actually apologized when they ran into you while dancing, and peering at the tiny live heads on the stage. In the end it was a totally fun time, but crazy, and I'm too old for that shit. I'm fairly certain Hawksley Workman this weekend will be more mellow. :)

And now I am running on only tiny amounts of sleep, because I got home very late. There's leftover cake in the fridge, and I'm trying to decide if that'll make it better or worse. Hmmmm.

*They played fantastic canned music between sets - klezmer and old-time gypsy. I don't know why they went for rap-rock for the opening act.
**Including watching the security guards totally earn their salary attempting to control the crowd. Entertaining, now that we weren't in it. But there must have been some serious injuries.

Comments

[marginalia.livejournal.com]

oh man oh man. i don't think i've ever tried to be at the front for them. last time i saw them was at bumbershoot, where we snagged spots on what was basically a balcony overlooking the lawn. i enjoy breathing and not having my toes broken, and if that makes me old, so be it.

cake is always good.

[montykins.livejournal.com]

I was at that Bumbershoot show! We were left and a bit behind the stage, on a kind of hill. We had a great view, and were completely out of the crowd. A couple of times, the bassist turned around and waved to us, which was nice.

[marginalia.livejournal.com]

oh yeah! that is clever :)

[listersgirl]

It was kind of funny, because I really don't go to concerts ever, and C., who goes to hundreds a year, kept saying "It's not normally like this! I swear!" I think she was worried I'd never want to go with her again. :)

[marginalia.livejournal.com]

it's not normally like that for the sort of bands i tend to go to, but it is always like that for them :)

[listersgirl]

and now I know!

[montykins.livejournal.com]

Gogol Bordello and Flogging Molly have terrifying crowds. It's much better to watch them from far away, because then you also get to watch the crowd itself and think "Boy, I'm glad I'm not in there!"

[listersgirl]

Funny you should mention Flogging Molly, because the three people beside us at first were wearing Flogging Molly concert tees.

Next time I'm holding out for a balcony.

[mystery-diva.livejournal.com]

I'm sad that I didn't go to Flogging Molly :( There was no reason I couldn't go...it just kept slipping my mind. Doh. They are very much featured on my gym playlist.

[canirl.livejournal.com]

I'm really impressed that you stayed at all-that kind of crush just totally freaks me out. Glad the concert was good. And I think that cake probably will help because it normally does.

[listersgirl]

It sure seems to be helping right now. :)

[globetrotter1.livejournal.com]

Well, for starters, we have seats for Hawksley's concert. :D

And I'm also too old for that stuff. Hee!

[listersgirl]

Exactly. Seats! Bliss.

[starfishchick]

Cake will make it better for at least 20 minutes, until the sugar wears off. :)

[listersgirl]

It's the sugar wearing off I'm worried about. Oh well, too late now, cake is being eaten!

[maybe-sparrow6.livejournal.com]

Cake makes everything better.
Sadly enough the only time I've gotten hurt at a concert was when I was 12. My Mom dragged me along to a free Peter, Paul, and Mary concert, and I got a bloody nose from being elbowed by an old hippy who was swaying along with the music.

[listersgirl]

Hee!

Although I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time...

[emiline.livejournal.com]

Cake!

At all ages shows, I now automatically head for the licensed area, because I just do not want to deal with the crowd. They also tend to be punk shows, and I am so over mosh pits.

[listersgirl]

Yeah, I think taking the grown-up perk is the way to go. :)

[johnnyg.livejournal.com]

I totally resent from-the-stage hectoring too.

[listersgirl]

It makes me very contrary.