For the Gen Xers, seniors, or even Millennials reading this column, how often have you caught yourself saying, “I’m getting too old for that?”
Once a month? Once a day?
I probably had this thought daily when my kids were younger, and my energy was devoted almost entirely to them. I still hear that voice now, but I’m less likely to agree with it, especially when it comes to enjoying live music.
I find inspiration in my nearly 80-year-old father, who to this day says he will never be “too old” to go to a show.
Going to concerts has been my way to relieve stress for most of my adult life, and my closet — jam-packed with band T-shirts — is all the evidence you need. Back in grad school, I lived in Chapel Hill, N.C., where I could bike to four cheap-but-excellent music venues. These days, I’m older with more disposable income and lucky enough to live near a metro area that boasts a few dozen fantastic venues.
As of this writing, I’ve been to 16 shows this year. Two concerts back in March stand out as examples of why live music has become such an important part of my life. They were both at Roadrunner, one of the largest Boston venues outside the theater district. It’s in Brighton near the New Balance factory store, less than a 15-minute drive from Belmont.
The Nostalgia Show: The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields, led by singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt, is an indie pop band known for their witty and eclectic sound. The concert I attended was part of a tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of their iconic album, “69 Love Songs.” If you haven’t heard of the band or the album, that’s OK, but it was the indie record of the early 2000s for many people.
Back in my 20s, my love language was making mixtapes for any woman I was trying to woo. And each tape featured a few tracks from “69 Love Songs.” My future wife’s favorite mixtape song came from this album.
I was one of the younger people at this show, which might explain why chairs were set out on the floor instead of the usual standing-room-only space. The set was very chill. In fact, the band was sitting down most of the time! I reminisced with a fellow aging hipster about how reunion tours like this one invoke a sense of nostalgia for our youth. There’s nothing wrong with that. Consider it musical comfort food.
The Energizer: Grouplove
Back at Roadrunner, less than a week later, it was a very different scene. The average age of the crowd was at least 20 years younger than I am, and they were moving. The venue was packed with 3,500 singing and dancing bodies. I danced and sang along, too — Grouplove is that kind of band. Known for their upbeat, anthemic indie rock, their infectiously joyful sound invites everyone to get involved. For a few hours, I forgot I was middle-aged, got a solid cardio workout, and shook off the late winter blues of March.
Studies show that regularly attending live music gigs is good for your health and could literally add years to your life. There’s a tremendous emotional benefit to sharing an artistic performance with a live audience. It’s a small, short-lived community, but a community nonetheless.
My dad recently had his 50th high school reunion, and he wondered why he was in so much better shape than his classmates. I attribute some of his good health to his continued enjoyment of live music and dancing. He’s never been a person to say, “I’m too old for that.”
If you do go to a show, consider visiting the merch table. In the age of Spotify, touring and merchandise sales are among the few ways musicians can make money. You can call yourself a patron of the arts!
Just don’t let my wife know that I bought yet another band T-shirt.
Eric J. Perkins writes about Gen X for The Belmont Voice. When he’s not at a show, he’s the Director of Transformation at Addgene, a life sciences nonprofit in Watertown.