Almost Monday – FIRST CONCERT EVER

In this First Concert Ever segment, the alternative band, Almost Monday, chats about their first experiences with live music. You can check out their stories, after the break.

Cole: I was probably too young to remember the first concert I ever went to, but the first concert I can remember was probably as far back as elementary school. Growing up with my childhood best friend’s dad as the manager for Blink-182, I ended up going to a lot of punk shows. Some of my earliest memories are of running around the backstage of venues and eating a lot of ‘green room’ snacks. I don’t really remember much detail about the actual shows, probably this is a result of my childhood brain being infatuated with food and friends, but what I DO remember is the culture of being backstage at a ‘punk rock’ show. I remember the way people used to dress, in all black, and how behind the scenes, there would be many stressed out people trying to get their jobs done, and trying to make sure everything was running smoothly. I remember the concept of ‘fame’ being somewhat normalized to me as seeing Tom Delong (from band Blink-182) go from performing to a crowd of thousands, to behind the scenes, as just another (normal) human being. I would say that those first show(s) impacted my perspective on music, and the music industry, showing me a side of music and fame that most people don’t get to see.

DAWSON: The first concert I attended was the Foo Fighters. My friend’s dad knew the guitarist, so we got backstage access, which was a very interesting way to see my first concert. I remember walking up side stage and seeing thousands of people that were there to see the band, and that moment, seeing all those fans changed something in me. Watching everyone go crazy when the band came out was unbelievable, so much energy and so much passion. Watching the crowd have the time of their lives, singing every lyric of every song sparked in me this drive to create that same world for people for me. Music is magical because it brings people together, and for a brief moment we all have one voice. And not to take this political, but, there is so much divide in our world today, that chasing that moment of pure unity I think is needed in today’s culture. It’s easy to forget that we are all the same, and are all trying our best in life (whatever that looks like) music crosses boundaries, and turns strangers into friends.

Luke: The first concert that I ever attended was at a venue called Soma San Diego. I went to see ‘For Today’ because, at the time, hardcore music was my favorite. The venue was dark and moody and everyone was ready to express themselves through two-stepping, slam dancing, and headbanging. I was 13 years old and I didn’t know what was coming. Halfway through the band’s set, I found myself inescapably pressed against the giant subs in the front of the venue. People pushing and bodies sweating, it was an encapsulating experience. I was hooked! This show planted the seeds of desire to be apart of such craziness, and a place to escape from the “real world.” I hope to give my listeners the same safety of being able to be fully themselves at our shows or when listening to our music and to be fully immersed in something so pure and freeing.

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