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rusty_halo*so very tired*
Alice in Chains was amazing last night. For the first time, I didn't cry. Instead I felt this overwhelming sense of euphoria. I think it came from the crowd--this was the most unbelievably excited crowd. People were ecstatic. It was like being with a room full of people whose dreamed of seeing Alice in Chains when we were children, and now together our childhood dream was coming true.
Yes, I know how goofy that sounds. But looking around, it was like having a time machine, being able to go back and experience that time again. Except better, because we weren't going backwards--we were all together, now, celebrating our era and knowing that it wasn't dead.
I met a really nice couple from Jersey and hung out with them, front row, on the far left (Mike Inez side). People around me were talking about how much they'd loved AIC from childhood, how it got them through so much. I don't know how such dark, honest, painful music can save you and show you such beauty, but it does. You wouldn't believe the hush that came over the crowd when they played "Nutshell"; I looked around and other people were crying. When they played "Man in the Box," I was so overwhelmed I couldn't believe that actual human beings could be responsible for creating such an amazing sound. I don't know what my favorite was--I suppose I was most excited during "Dam That River," "Got Me Wrong," "Down in a Hole," "We Die Young," "Angry Chair," "Man in the Box," "Would?" ... how does one band have so many mind-blowingly-awesome songs?
The crowd surfers were amazing. There was literally a non-stop stream of people surfing over the crowd and coming to the front. I saw several of the same people go through repeatedly, nearly as many women as men. (I'm debating whether to try for the Jerry side tonight, because I don't want to spend the whole evening distracted by crowd surfers.) The audience chanted mostly for Jerry, but someone also started a chant for Sean (yay!). And someone threw a full can of beer onstage; Jerry offered to kick their ass, and Sean couldn't believe that someone in NYC would waste a $12 beer. It was so good to see them all interacting together, and I even liked seeing Jerry and William goofing around together when they were performing.
I didn't cry, but I got a little teary eyed during "Down in a Hole." I think maybe the most beautiful thing I've ever heard is the way that Layne and Jerry sing that song on AIC Unplugged. When they play it now, Jerry and William sing the Jerry part, and the audience sings Layne's part. It's not just seeing a band perform--it's everyone, together, celebrating Layne Staley, celebrating Alice in Chains, celebrating the art that means so much to us, celebrating our era in time, celebrating the moment we're all sharing together.
Alice in Chains was amazing last night. For the first time, I didn't cry. Instead I felt this overwhelming sense of euphoria. I think it came from the crowd--this was the most unbelievably excited crowd. People were ecstatic. It was like being with a room full of people whose dreamed of seeing Alice in Chains when we were children, and now together our childhood dream was coming true.
Yes, I know how goofy that sounds. But looking around, it was like having a time machine, being able to go back and experience that time again. Except better, because we weren't going backwards--we were all together, now, celebrating our era and knowing that it wasn't dead.
I met a really nice couple from Jersey and hung out with them, front row, on the far left (Mike Inez side). People around me were talking about how much they'd loved AIC from childhood, how it got them through so much. I don't know how such dark, honest, painful music can save you and show you such beauty, but it does. You wouldn't believe the hush that came over the crowd when they played "Nutshell"; I looked around and other people were crying. When they played "Man in the Box," I was so overwhelmed I couldn't believe that actual human beings could be responsible for creating such an amazing sound. I don't know what my favorite was--I suppose I was most excited during "Dam That River," "Got Me Wrong," "Down in a Hole," "We Die Young," "Angry Chair," "Man in the Box," "Would?" ... how does one band have so many mind-blowingly-awesome songs?
The crowd surfers were amazing. There was literally a non-stop stream of people surfing over the crowd and coming to the front. I saw several of the same people go through repeatedly, nearly as many women as men. (I'm debating whether to try for the Jerry side tonight, because I don't want to spend the whole evening distracted by crowd surfers.) The audience chanted mostly for Jerry, but someone also started a chant for Sean (yay!). And someone threw a full can of beer onstage; Jerry offered to kick their ass, and Sean couldn't believe that someone in NYC would waste a $12 beer. It was so good to see them all interacting together, and I even liked seeing Jerry and William goofing around together when they were performing.
I didn't cry, but I got a little teary eyed during "Down in a Hole." I think maybe the most beautiful thing I've ever heard is the way that Layne and Jerry sing that song on AIC Unplugged. When they play it now, Jerry and William sing the Jerry part, and the audience sings Layne's part. It's not just seeing a band perform--it's everyone, together, celebrating Layne Staley, celebrating Alice in Chains, celebrating the art that means so much to us, celebrating our era in time, celebrating the moment we're all sharing together.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-11-02 09:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-11-02 10:43 pm (UTC)These were just so happy, though, that it was hard not to be excited with them.
I despised high school, too, but AIC was one of those things that kept me alive through it. And that was a great era for music--Nirvana, Pearl Jam, AIC, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Screaming Trees, etc. Like a brief shining moment where genuine, heartfelt music crept its way into the mainstream, before being quickly shoved to the side in favor of more generic, derivative crap.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-11-03 03:51 pm (UTC)I cannot believe that shit that's popular now. I never listen to the radio anymore, it's too depressing.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-11-09 05:55 am (UTC)(*is even more out of touch than you*)