Divine Exhaustion

So last night I went to the rock show. Man! And to think I almost didn’t go!

Here’s the skinny. Months ago, there was a big announcement that Shinedown was coming to town. I like them a lot. I know a lot of their music. I mean, they’re a really popular band. What got my attention was that Coheed & Cambria would be there too. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THEM!!! I’ve loved them since I first heard The Suffering way back in like 2005 or so.

But I didn’t buy myself a ticket.

Here’s why: When the concert was announced, I didn’t know what my life status would be. I didn’t know if we’d be traveling. I didn’t know my job status. I didn’t know a lot of things.

Then last weekend, the voices in my head kept nudging at me that I wanted to go. So I looked up tickets, and there were no pit tickets available. I looked at seated tickets, and they were really overpriced. Honestly, I didn’t really want those anyways. I made myself a promise a long time ago, for rock shows, if I couldn’t rock out with the other heathens, I didn’t want to be there. (I don’t go to concerts to sit, damn it!) I looked on Facebook Marketplace, but I still couldn’t find pit tickets. Then, places like StubHub and such, I’m not sure how much I can trust those. I’ve heard some messed up stories about sites like that. So I kind of gave up on the idea.

Then on Tuesday, I realized we’d be working from home on Friday. I thought, “Damn, it would be great if I could go to the concert since I don’t have to be up early on Friday.” I looked again, but still found no pit tickets.

On Wednesday, I decided to do an intense Google search, and AXS Resell showed up on my feed. Hmmm, I didn’t know AXS had a resell option. I checked, and sure enough I found me a pit ticket! And it wasn’t crazy overpriced! I quickly checked with Vince to make sure he would be working the night of the concert and didn’t mind if I went to the show. (Of course, he didn’t mind!)

All the stars had aligned at the last minute! All signs pointed to “Jessica, go to the rock show!” It was meant to be. I bought the ticket.

Thursday. Last night. It happened. One of the best concerts EVER! Holy balls!

From Ashes to New opened. Honestly, I’d heard of them, but I couldn’t really tell you what they sing. After seeing their amazing performance, I am now a fan!

Then, Coheed and Cambria came on! They started their set with my favorite – A Favor House Atlantic! That’s one of those songs that touched my soul the moment I heard it. To me, that song described failed relationships and friendships in my life.

The singer Claudio Sanchez with his unique voice and all the hair is one of those brilliant weirdos that I totally resonate with.

After Coheed & Cambria finished their set, I figured the merch line would’ve died down a bit, so I went and bought me an overpriced T-shirt. Because you know, if you don’t buy the concert tee, you didn’t actually go! Then I bought me another overpriced beer, and it was time for Shinedown!

Now, I had heard this Shinedown tour was pretty badass, but I had no idea. Their whole set was another level! I’ve been to amazing concerts, but this one was totally one of the greatest I’ve ever experienced! The whole performance was so high energy. I sang, I cried, I screamed, I jumped around way too much!

Shinedown did so much to hype up their audience. They connected in a way very few bands get to do. Whoever put this show together knew what they were doing to their audience!

So today, holy balls! I’m hurting! My voice is a little scratchy from singing at the top of my lungs to every song! My legs feel like jelly from jumping around so much. But it’s all worth it! I would totally do it again without a second thought!

Do you know what it feels like to be in a room with other humans who move in unison to music that touches your soul? This is what true happiness and peace in your heart feels like.