It's been awhile since I've blogged; I've been having fun...
There I was, standing in the "GA line" at Giant Stadium on Saturday afternoon, waiting for my wristband. When the bands were passed out, I saw they were Orange, the color of Transformation.
Orange is my favorite color, because in its brightness and clarity dwell endless possibilities of energy and newness...and what followed, both before and during the concert, was truly transformational. We met people who had traveled across oceans to spend 4 days seeing all 3 concerts. These people had been to hundreds of Springsteen shows, and told many more stories of the lengths others would go to experience the music of the legendary E Street Band. Then there was the concert itself...3 hours of intense energy, joy and release as we danced in the pit and reached up to the stage for a chance to touch Excaliber, Neil from Chile's name for Bruce's weathered telecaster guitar.
In the pit around me were corporate lawyers dancing next to aging hipsters. For the moment, all were equal, fully present, and truly happy. Driving back to Troy after the concert, I thought about the power to attract such a diverse audience. It had to be the magical and transcendent power of art: at once honest, raw, raging, personal, loud and gentle. The power to connect, the power to transform.
October 3rd was our fourth Springsteen concert this year, and the next day I asked Carol if she wanted to go to the last show in Buffalo. She observed that seats at the rear of an indoor stadium would not improve our experience of standing at the stage and seeing Bruce face to face. She is very wise.
So, we won't be buying tickets for the Sunday, November 22nd show in Buffalo. That means more tickets for you. You won't get an orange GA wrist band, but be ready to be transformed...
Sounds wonderful! I had no idea you were such fans, but I ,too, find myself mesmerized by the good, clean energy of Bruce and the Band. Unfortunately, the one live concert we attended, back in the 90's at the Brendan Byrne arena, had us up in the "nosebleeds", with scalped tickets yet, watching most of the show on big screens. Yes, we danced, cheered, sang along, but it wasn't as powerful as your experience - and certainly not transformational - although it was energizing and uplifting. Hope the memories keep you warm on some of those cold, upstate NY winter nights!
Best,Joey
Posted by: Joey Serim | 10/09/2009 at 11:48 AM
Well.....to be truthful...we changed our minds! We took the opportunity to travel to Buffalo for the last concert in the schedule, and saw the Big Man's Last Dance with the E Street Band. It was a marvelous experience. Although we were not in the pit, we were there, seeing, feeling and hearing the spirit as it moved from song to song, telling the tale of a small band of brothers who met on the shores of NJ and ended up, to quote Bruce, "...in F*in Buffalo, NY!".
We will be going on the road again, as Bruce has announced the Wrecking Ball Tour. We will be at 4 sites in April, in a variety of seats, and on the floor in Detroit, waiting for the magic, the Mystery, and the Transformation. And, after the band returns from the European leg of the tour, who knows what awaits? Probably one more opportunity to be transformed. If you are there, look for me...I'll be the guy wearing orange.
Posted by: michael gerrish | 01/28/2012 at 05:46 PM