15 Years Later, I Got to Go to Their Concert

The very first CD I ever owned, way back when I was 13, was Greenday's "Dookie." They were the first band I liked, and not because my sister liked them or my parents did but because I did.

I used to listen to "Basketcase" and "She" on repeat.

They played in concert that same year, and I wanted to go so badly. I thought my friends might surprise me with tickets or maybe the tickets would just magically appear in my room. 

I was an optimistic 13 year old, wasn't I?

They didn't appear, of course, but since then, I made it a goal to see them in concert. One day, somehow.

We bought tickets for their concert last year in San Antonio but it was the day after Kyle ended up in the ER for a rather traumatic (for me) chocking incident. No matter how badly I wanted to see that concert, I wasn't leaving my boy for anything. We ate the cost and I sort of thought that was the last chance I'd have.

They came back through Texas -- Dallas -- last night, though, and Mike bought us tickets months ago.

It was a Thursday night, I had to take a half-day from work, we had to ask Mike's parents to babysit late into the night on a work night, we had to drive an hour into the heart of Dallas for the concert, the tickets weren't cheap, the beer wasn't cheap, and I can think of a dozen other things that money would have been more responsibly spent on. 

When we go to our seats, they were just taking the stage. Seriously, we couldn't have timed our arrival any better. And as they walked on stage, I teared up, and all those reasons for not going melted away. I turned to Mike and said, "I'm finally here."

They were unbelievable in concert. They were on fire, engaged with the audience, energetic. They were just incredible. They were also grateful, thankful for their fans. They brought dozens of those fans up on stage, they gave guitars and drumsticks out like candy, they brought kids on stage and let them sing. At one point Billie Joe said, "It's our honor and our privilege to perform for you." I believed that he believed that.

I feel a little silly typing all this out. I'm nearly 30! It was a Greenday concert! But how often do you get to sit at a concert as an adult and listen to the same song you listened to on the floor of your middle school bedroom?

It was a full-circle moment, and I'm just so happy we made it happen.

As Mike and I got out of the car, I turned to him and said, "There's a sippy cup in the car and I have a block in my purse. How rock n roll are we?"

Comments

[K]

That's awesome! I saw them about 7 or so years ago in DC (for free because a friend had extra tickets- don't hate me) and they put on a fantastic show. They were very interactive with their fans back then too and had people come up and play/sing on stage and then haded out free guitars.
Glad you finally got to see them!!

[Kristie]

You finally made it! I am so happy for you darling. Here's to making dreams come true no matter how large or small. Also, I bet you weren't the oldest there were you?

[Sharon]

So glad you finally got to go! I saw them last summer, and my story is very similar to yours (minus the kid). I've been a fan since I was a teenager, and never got to see them in their Dookie days (the height of my love for them). Seeing them live after so many years was SUCH a huge treat and a thrill. It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. Glad you guys had such a good time!

[Janssen]

I love love love Greenday - totally makes me think of high school (I was clearly late to the party).

[Elizabeth]

I got goosebumps and teared up and laughed, all in the same post. Thanks for a good start to my Friday.

[Shelly]

Love that you finally made it. And that last pic of you and Mike? Daaaaaaaaaaamn! You can totally tell in your face that you are lookin thin! I mean that in the nicest way possible...that was the first place (and the boobs) where I noticed weight loss for myself and where others noticed it too. (Well not the boobs so much, I don't think...ha) Good for you! :)

I've always wanted to see Our Lady Peace since I used to jam out to them when I was in my younger teens. It will happen!!

[Holly]

A few years ago I also had some Green Day tickets drop in my lap (also sorry!) and decided to go even though I felt kind of ho hum about it. Really it was one of the best shows I've ever seen and what a humble and grateful group of talented rockers. Since then, even though their music doesn't always do it for me, I have such a high opinion of that band. So glad you finally got to go. Love when things as small as a concert on a random Thursday turn into big, exciting, memorable events! And ditto on the skinny. You are looking good, lady.

[Someone Being Me]

Glad you finally got to do it. I saw them in 1994 at Lollapalooza. It was awesome. I was 14 and it was the first concert my mom let me go to alone with my friends. I would still love to see them again even though I am turning 30 in less than 2 months.

[natalie]

I love that pic of you and Mike. I like your hair color!

I really had no idea that you wanted to go to a concert at 13. All your energy was lost on me!

[Home Sweet Sarah]

You're so rock and roll, obvs.

So I too used to sit on the floor in my bedroom and blast Dookie, good angsty times, huh?

Years later, I'd loan that CD to a boyfriend and never get it back (asshole.)

Luckily, Chris had it in his iTunes, so I've recently been rocking to it on my iPhone.

Some bands never go out of style.

[Jen]

This made me so, so happy for you. So glad you got to go!

[Katy]

My Dad heard Greenday play with U2 when they re-opened the Superdome post-Katrina. He said he was impressed and that they held their own.

[Holley]

My first CD too! Loved the post. We said

[Elsha]

Awesome that you finally got to see them! I would love to see them in concert.

Also, nothing makes you feel like a mom quite like pulling toys out of your purse when your kid isn't even there. It was a plastic dragon for me.

[Kerri Anne]

Concerts are so amazing. So glad you guys had such a great! time. This post made me doubly excited about getting to see Ray LaMontagne and David Gray in September. It's been over a year since I've seen a live show!

[Kristen]

Glad you got to see them! One of my favorite concerts was Green Day headlining Warped Tour. They picked some guy out of the audience in the middle of the set to play the guitar and Billie Joe got mad, told the guy to give him back the guitar because he played better than Billie Joe.

Green Day is soooo good!

[Jen]

I feel similarly about Green Day. I distinctly remember getting Dookie when I was about 14, and my friends and I played the crap out of it. I think it's amazing the band has evolved with their fans over the years, and yet, they are still very relevant. That doesn't happen often.

Also, I often find sippy cups and cracker crumbs and pacifiers in my purse when I'm out doing adult things. It's pretty hard to feel like a badass when you're driving around with an empty car seat in the back, too. :)