Just read an article about being 'too old' to attend a Music Festival. Some reasons were...You don't recognize most of artists or you find ways to enjoy the music from as far as possible from the stage, etc. Here in Nashville, we have a series of free concerts called "Live on the Green". Since it is a block from where I work, I usually try to attend a couple of nights. Was looking over the line-ups and realized I did not recognize one act scheduled. Also, I usually find a spot near the back to listen and people watch. Guess I fill must of the stated views of being TOO OLD! ( but I will still be there this coming Thursday, enjoying a cold beer and that Young Folk music )
Some months back, we went to a live concert in support of my husband's grade school classmate who used to be a popular singer here. The tickets were quite expensive but it's all right with us because we got good seats. However, we are not really concert goers and that's the first time we had attended a live concert. Oh, my husband had a splitting headache after. I know that he couldn't tolerate loud music that's why he doesn't go to karaoke bars. But I'd say that we are not really too old for concerts, at least I'm speaking for myself.
We'd like to go to a concert, but we think the music would be too loud and the crowd too rowdy. We'd also like to go on a Classic Rock or Oldies or Motown Cruise, but those Cruises sure aren't cheap. Sixteen years ago, after we met, we went to a local County Fair and seen The Village People and Bad Company in concert. Since it was a County Fair, wasn't nearly as many people than there would be at an arena. Also, went to a weekend gathering in Laughlin, NV to see Chris Le Doux in concert. A nice "concert" size room in a casino, that didn't hold tons of people. While in Las Vegas, back in 2005, went to a "Motown" type concert (not the real singers) in a small entertainment area in the MGM Hotel. Those Fair concerts we went to were some 16 years ago. Today, just don't think we can handle going to a big arena to see someone.
I think the last live music event I attended was the Bare Naked Ladies, in Boston. It as right outside of my office building, so I hung around that night, instead of heading out of the city. I definitely enjoyed it. I wouldn't mind attending others, but they'd have to be smaller concerts, not the massive events that take place at the huge venues they have now. Oops, I lied. They used to have a music festival here in the city where I live, and I attended that a few years in a row. It was nice, but the grounds tended to get very muddy. I don't know whey they stopped that. I guess maybe they didn't make enough/any money.
Back in 2000, the group America ( Horse with No Name ) played the Adams County Fair in Nebraska. My youngest son was in Jr. High and we attended the concert. I told him that the group met in High School in England and that his older brother attended the same school. He asked his brother if he could wear is old high school tee shirt to the concert and he said yes. My son enjoyed the concert and we made our way down to the stage where the two original members were signing autographs. When my son stepped up for his turn, Gerry Beckley leaned over to Dewey Bunnel to tell him to look at this kid's shirt. My son told them that his older brother had attended that school and the band members talked about their time there and wanted to take pictures with my son and his shirt. Super nice guys. A memory my son still talks about.
The last group I saw was Celtic Thunder a few years ago at the Savemart Center in Fresno. Went with my ex and also around that time I saw Kenny Rogers perform at the Fresno County Fair for $20! The Fresno County Fair usually has one or two decent groups or singers every year. Think the Fair lasts a week to 10 days and every night there is someone different. Some might be well known but to a younger crowd. I did see Bill Cosby live in Monterey about 8 years ago, before the SHTF for him. He did put on a great show, it would be creepy now.
Signing autographs reminded me of the concert we attended where my husband's grade school classmate was featured. Coincidentally, my high school classmate was also featured in that concert. When the concert ended, all the performers were on the stage singing an endless song to give chance to the audience for a selfie and autograph signing. When I looked at my husband, he shook his head. It's not our style to have our picture taken with celebrities. Besides, we personally know those 2 performers (his classmate and my classmate) so we might as well wait for some other occasions for the picture-taking. My husband just doesn't want us to act like fans.
Celtic Thunder is great! I saw them in concert on television, and have watched a few performances online, as well. I love pretty much anything Celtic. It's hard to know what to think about the Cosby situation. I'd prefer not to think of him that way, but it's difficult to dismiss so many complaints, although i have no doubt he was targeted because of his politics. Strange how his case has received so much press and Clinton's doesn't seem to have gone very far.