I've just recently been to two DMB shows in a row, 8/7 and 8/8 in Camden, and so it seems reasonable to start with this band and this piece of youth culture. Also, my gripes and praises are fresh and so this is the best time, for the sake of clarity, to write about these topics. I'll first post about the "scene" that surrounds this band and it's shows as it may be mostly negative and then post about the music and live performance separately; you know, to end on a high note.
Gosh, going to a DMB show, for me, is like opening a wound that has long since scarred over. Going to one of their shows brings to the surface all the problems I have with going to their shows. I love going to their shows but the whole scene there really distracts and DEtracts from the music and the goodness of it all. Essentially there are two types of people that show up at a DMB show: high school kids that are just there to get their rocks off and old ex-quasi hippies who are attempting to stay young.
The young kids are there for no other reason than to get high, drunk, or both. They know one thing about the Dave Matthews Band and that is this; 'Dave's music is great to get stoned to'. I could rant all day about this kids, but I'll limit myself (hopefully). The above statement is a microcosm of what's wrong with young kids going to these shows. First off they refer to the entire band as "Dave". Granted, the band is named after Dave Matthews, but the band is much more than Dave and he is not even the most talented musician on the stage. He's great, but for some folks to refer to the entire band as Dave really diminishes their talent and it's disrespectful. Second, they clearly are thinking more about getting stoned than the set list or who's going to sit in with them tonight, which un-discovered talent is opening up, or what unrecorded songs the band will play tonight. The young kids don't care that Carter Beauford is the best drummer there is. That he can smile, chew gum, and sing funny high pitched backing vocals meant for a woman while being the best drummer on the planet. They don't know give a damn about the significance of 'Seek Up' or that 'Everyday' and '#36" have the same music but they aren't the same song, and it's "Hani" not "Honey". Look, if you are just there to get drunk and party then you might as well not be there and the reason is this (this goes for any concert really): your antics ruin the show for those of us who care.
During two shows I saw three people throw up. One guy almost urinate on a pregnant lady and get beat up by her husband. Two young kids buy pot and not know how to smoke it. A kid get hauled away for fighting and more people getting it on than I'd like to admit. It's sickening and I think it says a lot about the youth of America today. Not only are they self-centered, somewhat depraved, and greedy, but they can't even shut up and behave long enough to watch a great show. DMB is one of the best live performances there is and if that doesn't grab your attention, then there is something the matter. I feel bad about it and I wish there was something I can do; but at the same time, it's probably a pipe dream of mine that young people would go to a concert to enjoy it and not spend their time doing other stuff while the show is going on. It's just inconsiderate that's all.
Almost as bad as the really much-to-young-to-be-on-their-own concert goers are the pseudo hippies that show up. These folks are in the age range of 25-33 and usually have a tattoo of a fire dancer (DMB quasi-logo) or something similar. A lot of times it's just barbed wire. These folks are also there to get stoned/drunk, but the men of this group usually have the added noble intention of picking up the females of the above mentioned demo. The muscle-bound men and their tarted up girlfriends do nothing to further the experience. They dance erratically, shout conversations, and generally try and act young. It's pretty annoying to have to hear about how someone just "smoked three bowls" but still has to go to work in the morning.
These older concert goers have a lot in common with the above mentioned youngsters but this is the primary similarity: both are trying to be a part of a scene that typifies the Dave Matthews Band, but the scene that they are imitating no longer exists.
The greatest fans of DMB no longer attend shows and it's plain to see why. They can't bear to be around the type of people I have described. Now, I have been a fan of this band for 15 years; I bought their albums with money I got from my allowance or birthday money when I was still in grade school. It makes me really sad that the community that used to enjoy this band so much, and attend their shows, is essentially lost. The young kids and the aging scene-stealers are attempting to be the laid back fan that smokes pot and loves the music but they can't. Ten years ago the shows were completely different. There was a definite sense of community. Fans would talk about the band, share stories, and laugh about things during the show. But it never interrupted anybody's good time. The audience members were never EVER inconsiderate and they all knew every song. These new comers bring something different. They bring an aggression that was not there before and they bring a selfishness that makes me sad. I've never been stepped on or had my drink spilled at a DMB concert before this week. I've never felt more separate from the show then I did this week and it makes me sad.
The band, for their part, don't do much to control their image; not that they should. Granted, a lot of their songs are about drugs, drinking, and sex but that's not an open invitation to partake of those things in a large crowd. The song lyrics are a narrative of Dave Matthews' life and they tell a great story. However, I'm not sure how far Dave goes, or should go, to let people know how much he's reflected on those past experiences. Would he tell these young kids to now do drugs, to not drink? I'm not sure. I love this band and I love their music but I'm afraid that 8/8/07 in Camden, NJ may have been my last show from DMB. I've now got to come to grips with my new found separation from a band that has been a literal part of my life for so long.
Sorry for the long post.
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2 comments:
I know what you mean. I would hope somewhere out there that there are people like me. ie. "young kids," who actually appreciate the music. But since I didn't see any on Wednesday, I find you justified in describing all younger concert-goers as such. I like to think that I have liked this band for at least ten years of my short life. That would put us in 1997, and me in third grade. My interest was certainly not as deep seated as it is now; however, I feel a connection to the band that goes back to the long car trips back from the beach. I can remember asking you or Sam to put on the song with the big violin solo in it, though certainly not so verbosley. Anyway. I know that you know there is at least one "young person" who has a real appreciation for the band. And that person is me.
This is your sister, by the way. Haha.
I like the term "scenestealers" instead of "scenesters", that's great.
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