5 Reasons why I Love/Hate concerts!

Oh Garbage Tree, Oh Garbage Tree, originally uploaded by Cody La Bière.

At a concert, it can be a very enjoyable time, or a very aweful time, depending on the music, around the environment, etc. So here's 10 reasons why I love concerts and hate concerts.

LOVE

1. When a band/musician you love is playing all your favourite tunes, it's always an enjoyable time, you sing every song word for word, have the best time in the world.
2. When bands have autograph sessions, it gets much of the audience talking after the show. I find that a band cares about their fans if they have an autograph session or stick around for a bit after the show.
3. Say if you're in a different community, but at a packed venue, almost always you will be with people who are just as big of fans of the musician as yourself! I remember one time being at a Les Dales Hawerchuk concert in Quebec City and this guy walks up to me.... all because I had a Winnipeg Jets t-shirt on! We discussed hockey and music for easily 10 minutes, really cool guy!
4. Merch! For me, I try to make a habit of getting a tshirt or poster after the show. It gives me a memory of the show. But for me, I rarely ever wear a merch tshirt because I just want to remember the night!
5. Encores! One of my favourite parts of a show. At almost every gig, it's expected of a band to play an encore. It's always fun, whether the band plays a few new songs or the hits, people always an encore. 
6. Bonus: I LOVE live music. As Neil Young said on "Union Man:" live music is better, bumper stickers should be issued!

HATE

1. Alcohol. I love drinking a beer at a venue, but most of the time when people drink at a concert, there's going to be people who make an ass of themselves, they're not there to see the music, they're there to get plastered! At one concert I was at, this 50 some year old lady was trying to get up to the front of the stage and she was wasted a bit too much, she spilled half her cooler all over my clothes. At times I wish it was a dry event, but then again, I do love beer.
2. People who budge in line/crowd. Whether you're waiting for the concert venue to open up, in line to get a beer/merch or just near the front of the crowd watching the concert. I hate when people push their way through, say if you are in a very snug spot as it is, then a pair of drunken buffoons come on by pushing you so they can get up closer. Alot of the time they'll yell at the stage with "play x song" (lots of times its not even a song the band plays!)
3. Merch prices! $50 for a t-shirt is a bit overkill. The most I ever paid for a t-shirt was $65 at a concert I paid $200 for a ticket to go see! I love cheap merch. $10-15 CDs and $20-30 t-shirts are always good! For cheap merch, I have seen tour posters sell from one dollar to twenty!
4. Bands that are asses to the audience. Dude! We're there to have a good time! Don't treat us like you don't want to be there! If someone's throwing alcohol at you or whatnot, you have a reason to be grouchy (that's another thing: here in Brandon: every concert I go to there's always one person who tries to throw alcohol at the bands).
5. Concerts on Sundays. Personally I have never been a fan of concerts on Sundays, particularly here in Brandon or in Winnipeg. I don't have an actual source of transportation so it's difficult for me to usually get to a concert. Any other day of the week it's better. Oh and Greyhound made me miss an hour of the Weakerthans before. Why? The last bus of the evening leaves at 11:30PM, while the concert is going on until midnight. So I have to leave at exactly 11PM so I won't miss the bus. But I just paid $30 to see that concert? Anywho, screw Greyhound! I hope they pull out of Manitoba for good.