pop rocks

I went to a concert last week. Coheed and Cambria. The band was amazing. but that's not what i want to talk about. Anyone who has seen them live knows that that is an understatement. What I want to talk about are the fans.

They are YOUNG! I have to admit it felt a little awkward being in the minority of those allowed to drink. Me and the parents chaperoning. Lord knows they needed a few.

As it came closer for co&ca to come on; I wanted to brave the masses and get in that kiddie pool. so there I was - older and shorter than most of the people I was surrounded by, but I was close to the stage and close to the exit: just how I like it. After the band came on and the initial energy surged through the crowd - I noticed that somehow, it missed the people I was surrounded by. They were all kind of still and staring. I continued flailing around and cheering on one of my favorite bands - while in the periphery of my vision still nothing. This was amazing to me.

Were they all drugged? That's one theory. They're a generation which seems to have a pill to fix everything and they're fed that it's not ok to have extreme emotion and any signs of sadness could mean they're "clinically depressed." So they get some drugs so they can maintain their emotion state. that's unfortunate. (Disclaimer: Don't get me wrong - I'm sure there are individuals who really do need medical help for emotional issues; what I'm saying is that in recent time, pills seem to be an easy answer for people who are more than able to work through their issues, but don't ever really want to deal with what's happening.)

Maybe it's not about the music. maybe it's about showing up and saying you've been there and not caring about who/what is happening on stage so long as you showed up for it.

Or, maybe they didn't have the life experience to truly get behind lyrics such as this:

"Through the struggles you've endured
You've come so far from innocence
Provided all the consequence
Only what does it matter now?
'Cause you're going home
You're running free
As only you would be if you've never owed them anything
And now you've found your way out
In the trust you've seen your path on home"

Whatever the reasons for their lack of emotion - I hope that one day they realize it's ok to let loose.