I had the opportunity recently to say something to a stranger that made her mouth drop open in surprise. How often do you get to do that?
Here’s the backstory.
As much as Steve and I love music (we write it, play it, sing it, record it, and listen to it), we rarely go to concerts. That may seem odd, but there are just not many groups that we love enough to pay money to see.
However, about a year ago, I heard a guitar-based duo on Facebook called “Sons of Legion.” (Sons came from the fact that both members are the 7th sons of their fathers. Legion means, “Disciplined, unified, and powerful together.”)
The more I listened to them, the more I fell in love with their message and their music. I introduced Steve to them, and when we heard they were coming to Charlotte, we decided to go.
Okay. Now this is where my advanced age shows up. I didn’t realize that many smaller concerts (unlike the concerts of my youth) are standing concerts. As in, there are no seats available. Anywhere. (Which I knew when I bought the tickets, but still . . .)
My wobbly legs and I weren’t thrilled, but I was willing to do what was necessary to see this duo and their tour band. This is as soon as we arrived. (I’m facing the camera on your left.)
The stage backdrop.
Somehow Steve and I managed to get into the second row which was cool.
As the crowd started to build, Steve threaded his way through the throng in search of refreshments. As a result, I was left smack dab in the middle of a group of strangers. (An introvert’s not-so-happy place.)
However, something I quickly discovered is that when an audience is standing rather than seated, there is a lot more camaraderie And since I’ve spent most of my life pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I did it again, striking up conversations with three people near me.
We got to talking about other concerts we had been to, and I quickly learned they had been to numerous concerts featuring many famous artists. And then the woman I mentioned in the first paragraph turned to me and said, “So what concerts have you been to recently?”
My mind went blank. Utterly and absolutely blank.
I’ve been to a few smaller Christian concerts in the last thirty years, but I figured she would not have heard of those artists. So I cast my mind back even further and latched onto the only name that floated to the surface–Johnny Cash.
Born in 1932. Did his last concert almost three decades ago. Yep, the Man in Black.
This woman and her husband attend multiple concerts every year, so when I told her that my last big concert was seeing Johnny Cash in the 1970s, her face was a study in incredulity. It’s like she couldn’t even imagine such a thing. She recovered quickly, though, and said, “Oh, I’m sure he was good,” and we changed the subject.
But I still giggle even thinking of that memory because Johnny Cash was the absolute last name she was expecting to hear.
The concert was out of this world fabulous. The musicians and singers were incredible, and everyone in the audience was so into it. And happily, the average age of the audience was around 45, so Steve and I didn’t feel quite so old.
As I looked around at all the enthusiastic fans, I was thankful we were not in the front row because the truth is, I do not have a front row face. Not at all.
Some people are born to be in the front row. They smile hugely, their eyes sparkle, they wave their arms, they sway back and forth . . . they are the very epitome of the encouraging audience member every band hopes for.
But me? I would be horrible in the front row. If I was in the front row, the band would immediately pack up their equipment and get out of town.
I don’t enjoy the music any less than anyone else, but I enjoy it way deep down. I barely move, barely change expression, but inside my soul, I am happy-dancing all over the place. For me to sway and wave my hands would dilute my still and silent enjoyment of the artistry happening in front of me.
Here’s a shot from the band’s photographer.
I cropped in so you could see me. Definitely not a front row face.
At one point in the concert, they did an audience selfie and I actually managed to put on an enthusiastic face just for the photo. Can you pick out Steve and me? (Just to the left of the guy in the red shirt.)
Such a great night!
There are many things I appreciate about the Sons of Legion. (Gathered from the internet.)
Their music is described as “the raw energy of rock, the soulful depth of blues, and the timeless appeal of soul music.” It may surprise some of my readers that I would enjoy raw and gritty music, but the lyrics are clean and encouraging, well written and well sung. And they’re not just banal, pop songs–each song has a strong message. I absolutely love it.
I have to say it was a bit of a surreal experience to have watched these guys online for a year, hearing most of their music performed with just two voices and a couple of guitars. To see them walk onto the stage (only about 20 feet from us) and burst into real life was pretty cool. They are very much anti-stardom; they just kind of wandered out when the time came and looked slightly surprised to see us all out there waiting for them.
At any rate, after standing for four solid hours–30 minutes outside the building, an hour before the opening act came on, and another 30 minutes while the stage was being reset–let’s just say Steve and I were feeling every decade of our multi-decade lives. But it was worth it, making such a great memory together.
Here’s to continuing adventures in all the years of our marriage to come. Even though I’ll never have a front row face.
P.S.My next Bucket List concert would be Red Clay Strays. Look them up if you haven’t heard of them. And if you look up Sons of Legion on Facebook, look through their reels instead of their timeline to get a broader picture.
What about you?
Are you big on concert-going? If so, what’s the favorite concert you’ve ever attended?
Who would be on your Bucket List to see?
Have you been to a standing concert?
Have you heard of Sons of Legion or Red Clay Strays?
Do you think you have a front row face or are you a quieter enjoyer of things?
Thanks for your thoughtful concert going description. I added both Sons of Legion and Red Clay Strays to my Spotify list, and listened to some songs from both. I always find it interesting what music appeals to different people.
About 20 years ago my husband and I went to a Styx concert at our local fairgrounds with a similarly aged couple we knew from our school days (we are 62 now). Styx was quite popular during our junior and high school years. I’m sure the couple was greatly disappointed at the lack of enthusiasm my husband and I had, as they have never invited us to anything else! My husband and I love music, but like you, we internalize it. Sure, we might clap along when a performer requests that, but even that feels too exposed, if you know what I mean.
I saw John Denver with my mom when I was in high school at a State Fair. I always loved John Denver, especially when I was younger.
My husband saw Tony Bennett at a work event he attended a few decades ago. He insisted we must see Tony Bennett if we ever got the chance, so when Bennett came to our area and performed in the large fancy Ohio Theater, I took our high school aged kids to see him. It was pretty amazing. He had such passion, and just seemed so grateful to be performing for the audience. He was in his 80s, and stood the whole time, for 2 hours – just him, a pianist, and a large room of mesmerized fans.
These days we’re good with local groups performing at a park, if it’s not too late in the day! No bucket list groups. I’m good with listening, maybe watching a video, in the comfort of my home, or in the car.
Ann,
I love your sense of musical adventure in tryng out music that other people listen to.
I’m glad someone else understands the concept of “internalizing” the music; deeply enjoying it without much of a show of an outward reaction. Neither is right or wrong; some people respond more outwardly and other, less so.
I loved John Denver growing up, too! And how great you got to hear Tony Bennett sing; not many people have had that opporutnity. I’m so glad you took your kids to see him, too; an experience they will not forget.
Here’s to all of us who enjoy the incredbile diversity of all the wonderful music available to us.
Not much of a concert goer. I do not do loud music very well. I need to have ear plugs or something to plug my ears. When our church has a concert, yep, bring the ear plugs. We are going to a Bill Gaither concert this Sat. afternoon and will be prepared. We were just in Branson, MO and heard the group SIX. They use their mouths to make the instruments and also sing. Their mother was told when she was younger that she would never have children. She had 10 boys. And hence the name SIX of them are in the show. The concert before that was the Booth Brothers. No, have never heard of either of those groups you mentioned.
Sharyn,
How fun to hear a group that makes instrument sounds with their voices! I know you must have enjoyed the music and especially hearing their story.
I love the Gaither Vocal Band. Bill has been doing music for a very long time!
Definitely not a concert goer. The last concert I went to was Rick Springfield about 6 years ago and it was a fundraiser for our school district’s education foundation. We enjoyed dinner first, but then went up to the stage for the actual concert and it was very fun, but like you, I’m not a front row face. My bucket list concert would be Alabama, The Eagles, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw some of the now older artists. And I’ve heard of the Red Clay Strays – probably on Sirius XM. Have a wonderful week!!
Sue Ellen,
I’m like you; I like a lot of the older artists. Glad you’ve heard of the RCS. I’m thinking they will be around for a very long time.
I love this post. It can be so hard to really describe how a piece or a band effects you, but you did it. I totally get standing stock still and letting the music seep deep in. Yup. I will check them out.
My one and only concert was Celine Dion. I had been to listening to her with Sarah (Sarah LOVES her) for 15 years so it was time for me to go. I got all teary when she first took the stage, why does that happen? She had been on a world tour and Boston was her first concert upon returning to North America. She was fabulous, needless to say. The cool part is that Celine made a DVD of this particular Boston concert, so Sarah has been able to watch it whenever she wants. And I can relive my one and only concert experience.
Celine has been through it all with her illness, Stiff Person Syndrome, but is making a comeback against all odds and performing in Paris this Fall. Her documentary- I am: Celine Dion- documents her battle with the illness and is worth a watch. Very well done. She is quite inspiring and very humble.
PS Standing for that long would be so hard for me. You’ve got it all going on 🙂
Lesley,
Steve and I heard a Christian band years ago–a brother/sister group called Second Chapter of Acts. (If you look them up, look for the Easter Song.) They got to the stage, sang 5 notes and Steve and I immediately started crying. Music is so powerful at moving us to experience many kinds of emotions.
How great that you got to see Celine Dion. She is a phenom. I watched the documentary about her life and her illness. She’s one of those people who makes me thankful that my physical ailments are so “small.” And yet she has batttled her way back to performing. Simply amazing.
I’m so glad you got to see her and that she happened to make a DVD of that performance. So special for you and for Sarah.
The only concert I’ve ever been to was 30 years ago. Bob Dylan. I was a teenager and I was anxious and shy back then (I’m still quiet, and definitely don’t have a front row face either, but I’m not SO terribly timid anymore). I went with my mom and her friends who grew up in his heyday. But when the opening act came on, I found myself totally overwhelmed. The crazy crowd, the chaos, the extreme noise. I wasn’t prepared for it. I left to get some fresh air, but it turned out one couldn’t re-enter the arena after leaving. And this was before cell phones. So I stood outside panicking about how on earth to reach my mom and what on earth to do. To make things worse, a few unusual looking people approached me and offered to sell me “something to help you calm down.” This was just too much for innocent, naive, 15 year old me. With my heart pounding I thankfully scrounged up a quarter, found a pay phone, and had my dad come get me. I never did see Bob Dylan that night and I’ve never been to another concert.
But I still love music!! And I will totally look up Sons of Legion! They sound really intriguing and it’s hard to find bands who sing about actual TOPICS.
Ellen,
Oh my. Your Bob Dylan Story was something else!
Fifteen years old and trapped outside a building in a strange part of town and no cell phone? Thank the Lord you had some change on you and could reach your dad. Although, I imagine him must have taken him a while to get there so you had the additional trauma of waiting for him. I’m so sorry you had to have your one and only concert ruined.
Maybe some day you can go to a quiet concert. They do some in Charlotte where there’s a sympony with hundreds of candles set up all around. That would be a very far cry from a loud Bob Dylan concert!
Thanks for sharing your story. And I’m so happy to hear that you STILL love music. That’s the main thing. 🪷
We are definitely not big on going to concerts anymore. It’s not that we don’t like good music. We just don’t like the big crowds or hugely expensive tickets. It seems like it’s really gotten out of hand. We used to go quite a bit back in the day. One of my favorites as a younger person was The Beachboys. SO good and SO fun!! It was outdoors and we had a blast! As an adult, one of my favorites has been Alabama. My bucket list concert is to go see Dolly Parton but doubt that will ever happen. I have never heard of Sons of Legion or Red Clay Strays. I’ll have to check them out!
We saw Little Big Town and had to stand the entire time. It was worth it though. Great concert!
I probably don’t have a front row face either. 🙂 I tend to enjoy the music like you do….deep down inside. Besides, I really have to concentrate sometimes to understand the words if I don’t know the song.
LeeAnne,
What an adventure to get to hear the Beach Boys. They are iconic!
Dolly Parton is such a great person–both her talent and her heart. It will be a great loss whenever she dies. And Alabama’s harmonies? Amazing.
So many things to love about music.
Great that you could try something different. I “stand” for 5 hours at my craft sales, but I am pacing around, sometimes walking to another booth, so not just standing…with others standing next to me…unable to pace…I don’t think I could do a standing concert. That would help my husband who gets upset when people in front of him stand up.
I haven’t been to many paid big concerts. I like the local free band concerts. We went yesterday to a local wind band. It was a great concert and I loved the price. I did go to the big Telluride Bluegrass Festival in the 80’s. 5 days of bluegrass was great and the scenery was so fabulous of the mountains.
I really can’t think of anyone I would really want to see.
I had not heard of Sons of Legion or Red Clay Strays. I did youtube a couple songs. Not sure they would be for me. I like more bluegrass/country style.
I probably would be ok with a front row as I like to sway to the music, and if I know the words I mouth them, but don’t sing them as that would probably chase others away. I was blessed with a love of music, a love of singing, but NO vocal talent at all.
Patti,
I totally agree. Standing in just one place vs. being on your feet and being able to move around are very different experiences. I never knew standing in one place could be so utterly exhausting!
Local free concerts are the best. As you said, the price is right and there’s more of a downhome feeling to the experience.
I’m not a huge fan of Bluegrass although I love Allison Krauss and the Isaacs.
Alison Kraus is great. Haven’t heard the Isaacs. At a Bluegrass festival years ago, my friend had me carry his fiddle in to a jam session. He told everyone I played better than Alison Kraus and I kept having to tell everyone I didn’t even play at all!
Oh my goodness. There is no way I could stand for that long. I am 70 and have neuropathy in my feet so there’s that and also my back…well, I have issues that stop me from doing things like standing for long periods of time. I would be a nervous wreck in the middle of that crowd. I am not an introvert but I don’t like to be in crowds anymore. I don’t even feel safe in Walmart anymore. It is a shame how evil people can be and sometimes a crowd is what they go for so they can hurt a lot of people. It gives me the willy’s just thinking about it. I have NEVER been to a true concert in my life. EVER. Wow! I have been to many singings at churches where there are a whole lot of people but never a real concert. I love music but don’t have a desire to go listen to anyone in person like you and Steve did. I rather listen online or on tv. Maybe I am an introvert. I am glad you got to experience that though. You go girl!!
Kaye,
Well, by the end of the four hours, my legs were definitely talking to me. Nothing ever felt so good as sitting down in the car for the drive home.
Listening to music on TV is a great way to experience it. You get a great view, great sound and (drum roll, please) you can sit down! 🙂
While I’m not a huge fan of large crowds, I really don’t feel fearful. I mainly just think how much I miss my nice, quiet house!
Wow!! I found this group on Spotify and listen to them often! I had no idea they were touring in Charlotte! I love listening to them in my mix of music! Glad you and Steve had the opportunity to go and listen in… there is a guy from Louisiana, Marc Broussard that toured in Haw River back in 2020, and it was standing room only there too… Rodney and I had such a good time though… he is a very bluesy/jazzy singer, so you should check him out, you will like him! 🙂
Tiffany,
Glad you’re already a SOL fan! They have got a good thing going!
Seems like I’ve heard of Marc Broussard; I’ll have to look him up. Bluesy/jazzy is just my flavor!