Popping My Concert Cherry

At 25 years old people tend to look at me weird when I tell them that I've never been to a concert. I'm pretty sure that the only live music I've attended is a guy at a Grindleton F.C Presentation Night. I'm not 100% sure as the reason for never attending but it may be down to money, or that people I like don't come to the North of England very often.

Hongi & I Arrived Early To Avoid The Crowds

Hongi on the other hand is a concert girl and has seen numerous people in Germany, but being in America has opened up the possibility of seeing some of her favourites. Strangely enough we have a very similar taste in music and one of our favourite bands, Matchbox Twenty, were playing locally. Unfortunately we left it a little late for tickets and it sold out very quickly. Next up was another couple of names high up on her list, 3 Doors Down (who I like) and Daughtry (not heard of them). With extra money in my pocket due to a month of sobriety I decided to join her.

3 Doors Down

The venue was the Mohegan Sun Casino in Norwich, Connecticut. This place is huge with restaurants, bars, shops, cabaret, concert venue, club, and of course a casino. I even won some money whilst I was there without even going on a machine. I found a wad of notes on the floor of the casino as we walked through, only to get a kick in the balls when I found that it was only 3 dollar notes; gutted.

I Found Out That Nothing Gets
A Crowd Going More Than
A Duet. 

We got to our seats and despite ordering late they weren't the worst in the world. Yes they were to the side of the stage but we were pretty close. What I found strange, and Hongi confirmed using her concert attending experience, was that in front of the stage before the stands there were seats. Every time I've seen a concert on T.V this has been standing only. Must be the America factor, can't expect people to stand for the whole duration. Then again the crowd was a little older than I expected, Hongi and I were probably the youngest in our block. A little old biddy was on the front row and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself.

The warm up band, Aranda didn't set things up too well, in fact they reminded me of the reasons why I'd sooner just buy the CD rather than watch music. There was this guy with long hair which conveniently allowed him to throw his head back and forth and mess his hair up whilst he raised the rocker sign, the one where your forefinger and little finger are the only ones extended. All the while you can't hear any lyrics because the instruments are louder than the singer. Looks like I'm in for a long night.

Daughtry

After the warm-up band whose name escapes me, 3 Doors Down came on and gave a good show. I admit that I have nothing to compare it to (minus the warm up band), but I was happy. I don't know if it's experience on their part or just that the warm up band did it deliberately, but I could hear everything during 3 Doors Down. The balance between singer and instruments was perfect and therefore allowed me to enjoy the performance. Also the lead singer had short hair so there was no hair throwing. The show was to promote their Greatest Hits album that has been released. People did go a little loopy when they performed their big hit 'Kryptonite' and the lead singer from Daughtry came and sang along who had his hair shaved so again, no hair throwing.

Daughtry Likes To Get Closer To
The Crown That 3 Doors Down. He Near
As Damn In Jumped In

During the break I went to the men's room and was surprised to see that there was no queue for beer; typical when I can't drink. However, the queue for the food was huge, so different to any event in England. Daughtry came on shortly after and impressed me as well, I think I'll be stealing songs from Hongi's laptop next time I'm at her house. In return the guy from 3 Doors Down came on to sing a duet with Daughtry although I'm not sure if they're doing a cover or what but they sung Phil Collins' 'In The Air Tonight'. Everyone has a singer that they are embarrassed to admit that they like, mine is Phil Collins and when I heard them start up my heart sank. Please don't crucify a classic. I must admit though that they did a good job, despite the microphone for the 3 Doors Down guy not working for the first few lines of his part.

All in all it was a good night out away from my room and away from Elmer's Place. Maybe I'll be attending a few more concerts now that I've popped my cherry.

Daughtry - Over You

3 Doors Down - Kryptonite