2024-10-25
A sentiment I see sometimes is that bringing kids to expensive destinations (like Disneyland) are a waste of time and money if they won't even remember them when they're older. This came to mind recently as I was showing a visitor around my city and saw a lot of young families at the typical tourist destinations. It came to mind again when I attended a few concerts this week.
I saw Green Day a few months ago and I spent the entire time just jamming out. I took a picture or two but that's pretty much it. I wanted to be present and experience the concert fully. My brother came with me and he did a bit more filming. I had the time of my life (if you know, you know)! Afterwards, I found that my memory of the concert rapidly faded in my mind. I was grateful for my brother's recordings and I watched them a few times. It honestly made me wish I took more pictures or a few more videos.
Just this weekend, I saw My Chemical Romance. I had seen MCR a couple of times before, back in 2011 and 2022. I barely remember the 2011 concert. I don't remember any of the actual performance. I just remember looking back at my friend in the middle of "Welcome to the Black Parade" and singing the lyrics at each other. This was before filming or taking pictures on your phone was really a thing (I don't think I even had a smartphone yet), so recording never came to my mind. But I really wish I somehow remembered more of the concert.
So, watching MCR again, I decided to take more videos. I know people constantly deride others who film at concerts for not "being in the moment." But I actually think I was present. I filmed maybe 30 second clips per song and then jumped around and yelled for the rest of it. Still had the time of my life. Still sang my heart out. And I have been watching my videos for the past week. I'm so grateful that I did take the videos.
There are people out there on YouTube who filmed the entire concert and I'm appreciative for those who did (I've watched MCR's set like five times already). But, unless said person was standing at the exact place I was, it's not the same experience.
From now on, I'll be less hesitant about recording at concerts. I think I've struck a balance between "having a memento" and "being present."