The Older, The Wiser..

After a recent phone conversation with my brother (who is also a Phish/Dead head, like myself), I have made the decision to go up to Boston for two days to see two Phish concerts. There is a concert in Rhode Island on Friday, October 22nd, and then a concert in Amherst MA on Saturday October 23rd. My brother, who resides at Boston College, will be accompanying me for this two day bonanza and will be able to enjoy the concerts just as much as I do, being that he is the one to have gotten me into this sort of music in the first place. If it weren't for my brother, I would not have had nearly as many fantastic experiences musically and my entire thought process would be completely different from the way it is now. The evolutionary transition of music that I have undergone within the past four years is almost overwhelming, considering I switched from one genre of music to a genre that is the complete opposite of what I was used to. And the genre would be the jamband scene.

It all started with my very first Allman Brother Concert that I attended while in my Sophomore year of High School. My brother had gone to many concerts before, but I had previously never had any interest in the bands he liked whatsoever. He would always come back from a show and brag about how amazing it was, and I just could not understand what could be so good about standing up for hours and watching people show off their talent. My thoughts changed after my first Allman Brothers concert. It was at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan, and was filled with people who were of a different generation than my brother and myself. I was a little intimidated at first, but those feelings of intimidation were quickly surpassed once the music started and I saw the crowd go wild. Seeing all the different colors and people dancing, along with the band members being so passionate about what they were doing had given me a sensation unlike any sensation I have ever had before. Everything was so live and real, and I felt feelings of euphoria throughout my entire time.

Once we returned from the concert, I could easily understand how and why my brother had attended over 27 concerts within one year. The feelings that they bring and the happiness it provides for people is just surreal, and can only be appreciated by a unique breed of people. I enjoy being a part of something that was formed in a different generation, and not conforming to the music of the current era, which in my opinion is silly and not made with talent. The Allman Brothers concert was a rite of passage for me, and I feel lucky to have had an influence in my life like my brother, because it led me to many great experiences in my life.