It's been a long time

I went to see Muse last Friday in Dublin.

Up until about a month ago I had no idea about Muse's music, except for my familarity with their song "time is running out". The song was ok but the video annoyed me.

My wife bought the tickets so I was all set to go along and give them the benefit of the doubt. I had been listening to their music in the car in recent weeks too to make sure I was familiar with their big hits, as it were.

At this point I think I sound like my parents. Hmmm.

Anyway, to put this into context, I am not what you would call a frequent concert-goer.

The previous concert I went to was The Dixie Chicks, over 2 years ago. Before that I went to see Crowded House, U2, Toto, Tori Amos, Bjork, Vince Gill and a Billy Joel/Elton John double-bill.

Not quite eclectic I suppose but there you have it.

Anyway, the concert was incredible and I came away deaf but more appreciative of Muse's music. My wife has since created a playlist on my iPod with a ton of their tracks. Thanks :-)

A couple of things struck me as interesting at the concert.

First, I witnessed a phenomenon I think is rare in Ireland. A barman yawning due to inactivity. Yes, everywhere I looked there were empty bar counters with bored-looking bar staff standing waiting for someone, anyone to step forward and buy a drink.

OK, it was a young crowd but there were plenty of people above the legal age for drinking alcohol.

It was just that the concert-goers were spending their money on O'Briens coffee and Cadbury's chocolate instead.

The other thing that was interesting was the behaviour of a guy sitting in front of me in the concert arena itself.

He was maybe in his late thirties or early fourties, with three others one of which I assume was his partner.

Anyway, what was interesting was the way he kept looking around. His body language was fascinating. He was seeking approval from someone, from somewhere, for permission to stand up and shake his ass or whatever.

All evening the people all around me were sitting, with occasional breakouts of standing quickly followed by an orderly return to seats.

He twisted and turned in front of me for most of the evening, looking enviously to the right when 3 or 4 people stood up and punched the air and then sat down again.

All night he sought the approval from someone.

Then, right at the end of the night we had the usual faffing around where the band runs off and "pretends" that they are done for the night. Only to come on again minutes later after everyone has kicked the floor for a bit.

Back on they came and that was it, the music started and this guy in front of me couldn't contain himself any longer. He leapt up out of his seat, hands pumping and ass swaying in my face. His partner jumped up too, punctuating the airflow with the fist of her right hand in a gentle stabbing motion. The guy to her left, the third member of their concert party jumped up too, also waving his arms and ass. The fourth member of the party, a classic party pooper like me, stayed glued to his seat.

They danced and swayed and I peeked between them at the stage and at the big screens. Then the third guy to stand glanced at the fourth guy, still sitting, and he sat back down. The woman then sat down, and alas there was naught to do but sit again for the gentleman with his ass in my face.

Call me sad but all I could think of was the chapter on "conformity" in Aronson's The Social Animal. This poor guy desperately wanted to do his own thing but the power of his own mind's desire to conform damned him to a night of fitting in. Classic stuff.

Right now I'm standing in the kitchen typing this with a piece of pizza sticking out of my mouth and Muse on the radio.

Am I a real fan or what?