I should have had more faith in times like these. But now 2023 is off to a great start.
You see, I haven’t been to any concerts in three years (not counting some of the virtual ones I’ve been to), not just due to the pandemic, but also when concerts started to resume, there was nothing interesting near me, or they were always at bad times.
What really upset me was I felt that were even fewer concerts in Canada due to travel restrictions. I get that these restrictions are in place for a reason, once again, not just because of covid, but other things that have been a problem forever. But the downside to these restrictions is there is less music culture in this country, (in my mind because all of the good music to me is from the US or Europe). There is some local music scene here, but none of it is music I like. If it’s rock music, it’s usually alternative, anything easy-listening basically.
I’ve seen plenty of Canadian bands like at local festivals but none of their sounds has appealed to me. It’s like I’m looking for something hard and heavy but not with vocals too harsh and it’s just not there.
On the other hand, the music I listen to, feels like it is practically unknown to others because how often do I bump into KISS or Megadeth fans when I’m out and about? It’s ultra-rare that it’s pretty much never. So it’s only very mainstream metal bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Slayer, or modern metal bands that have strange names with that metalcore sound that isn’t for me either.
The only time I truly feel like there is hope, is when a band or solo rock/metal artist I like, comes to my neck of the woods, and with all these restrictions this country has had, it’s becoming less frequent so that we don’t get anything, or a city too far from me gets it.
But when it does happen, it always makes me forget about the struggles of being a fan of the music that I love. That brings me to the point of this article, remember how disappointed I was that Rob Zombie’s tour last summer had no Canadian dates? Sure enough, now that he’s done with The Munsters, he’s touring again and there is a show close enough for me to attend without crossing the boarder.
Like I said, I should have had more faith in it happening since a friend of mine told me that Rob has been here so many times. So yes, I’m going! Finally, my concert deficiency is receiving treatment, from Rob no less! Alice Cooper will also be there too, I have already seen him, in 2015 so I’m looking forward to Rob more. I found out about it at short notice before tickets were due to go on sale, and I was scheduled to work on the day of the gig. Acting fast, I booked some time off and my friend and I secured tickets. It’s not until September, but I am so excited and I just can’t hide it!
The same night my friend told me he got the tickets, I went to bed dreaming that I was dancing to one of Rob’s songs that I consider my guilty pleasure, let’s just say it’s me rehearsing because anyone who goes to concerts with me knows that I don’t stand still during them. I jump, dance, headbang, and imitate the singer! Rob is definitely not one to stand still either!
Maybe it’s time to acquire another one of his albums and give it a review! I know some of you folks have enjoyed some of my content covering his work.
I know I don’t have to be around other fans of the music I like, it’s like I’m seeking external validation in life because this subculture I belong to is small compared to the ones from other genres. It’s easy to feel lonely when you’re the only one walking down the sidewalk grooving to KISS, or in the mall with a Motorhead shirt on, or playing Orden Ogan in your car while everyone else plays rap in theirs.
Of course, I’m not alone on the Internet, but if we take that away, it feels like I am. It’s something that I need to work on, it’s no different than people who feel like they need to be in a relationship to feel established, complete and happy. I shouldn’t have to be constantly surrounded by Metalheads with similar music tastes to feel like matter.
It’s just sometimes not easy when you don’t always have people to talk to about mutual interests and everyone around you is enjoying the music you are not into or can’t stand.
I feel like the only way the music culture is going to expand is if two things happen:
- I find some Canadian metal bands to enjoy as much as the rest of the stuff I listen to.
- The government loosens restrictions and lowers the fees a little for musicians who want to play in this country so that way they can go to more places other than just Vancouver, Toronto, and/or Montreal.
A North American tour with only 1 – 3 Canadian shows, or none at all is not an NA tour at all. But nonetheless I am grateful that Rob and Alice’s only Canadian show is close enough for me to attend without me having to spend extra money for a flight or drive several hours to do so.
One concert confirmed, and two kittens, I couldn’t be happier. There’s more to come that I have yet to share but that’s for another post.
👽Emily
Monsterlady's Diary 