In 2000, my family relocated from a major city in the northeastern United States to Oklahoma. I was young enough that the change in environment did give me culture shock, but I also didn’t mind the move that much. I had books and television to keep my attention, but unfortunately, in 2004 I came across the band that would take over my life and heart, which also led to a growing love for music.
It was around this time that I slowly became more and more frustrated with my location in Oklahoma because none of the bands I was starting to adore came there ever on tour. I know there are for sure hundreds, if not maybe thousands, of music fans out in the world who are also geographically restricted from seeing musical artists they love live, and each of the situations is also unique. Sometimes it just is not feasible for musicians to go to certain countries, which I understand but is still disappointing for the people who live there.
I became accustomed to that sting when looking at tour dates where the show in Kansas City was followed by the show in Dallas (or vice versa) that often meant that they skipped right over any possible stops in Oklahoma. By around 2010, it was a pleasant surprise if someone I wanted to actually see even had a tour date in the state. Shows in Texas were simply not an option for me between my parents’ reluctance to drive my sad 16-year-old self to Dallas and school being a thing I must attend. Those two aforementioned items also prevented me even from going to shows in Tulsa.
Honestly, I gave up on the idea of ever seeing anyone live that I wanted to as long as I lived in Oklahoma. I saw three concerts in Oklahoma City during this time: Coldplay, Muse and I took my mom to see Lady Gaga. Once I was in college, yet still in Oklahoma, I managed to see The Killers, Radiohead, and Franz Ferdinand in Texas, which checked off three bands I dreamt of seeing live after waiting almost ten years.
When I moved to New York City, I started to go to shows almost immediately. I was suddenly in a major city that bands always played, and I saw several more bands I had always wanted to. The Presets, Kaiser Chiefs, Interpol and Brand New were just some of the bands that I had the opportunity to see within just a year of moving. After only living in New York for a few months, I even had the opportunity to go to Interpol’s signing for “El Pintor” that was happening at Other Music (RIP) only a few blocks away from my job. I spoke to one of my favorite bands! I never thought any of this would happen back when I was lying on my bed as a sad 22-year-old at my apartment in Oklahoma.
This is why I never take any concert I attend as something for granted. I never feel like I have the right to go to a show. I take every concert I go to as a privilege, which they are, by the way. Concerts are rarely something we are owed for any reason. I had almost given up all hopes on seeing my favorite band, The Killers, live until the day they were finally physically in front of me on stage. I’m still blown away and in awe any time I get to see any of my favorite bands. In July, I was damn blessed with seeing The Killers and Radiohead, my two favorites, live in one week, just days apart. One week! 18-year-old me would have collapsed from shock. A variety of factors can go into not being able to see a musician live that you want to, from distance to finances, and that’s why when I do have the opportunity to go to a concert, I wholly appreciate it.
