BY MIKEY MIGO
THE INTRODUCTION
I recently spent an hour cleaning out my desk drawer. I admit it, I'm a bit of a pack rat. I have old cassette tapes, random office supplies, old flyers, and tons of randomness that could and most likely should have been thrown out months, if not years ago. Amongst this mess of memories, was numerous old concert tickets. After looking at them, I began to think. Of these concerts, some were horrible experiences, but most were great times.
WHAT MAKES A CONCERT GREAT
You can listen to an album on your respected audio device on a loop for a month and it still won't replace the experience and enjoyment of a live concert. I'm not saying all band's performances are better than the album, but there's plenty of "studio bands" out there.
The experience itself is what's so magical and memorable. It's the entire atmosphere that does it for me. A lively crowd inspired by a stage presence so larger than life that you forget where you are for a few minutes. The loud boom of the house speakers pulsating through your veins only as much as the adrenaline from the actual musician on stage. The raw emotion of the singer's voice that cannot be contained on the plastic diskette inside your CD player. The first twitch you get in your eye upon the first bang of the drum. That hint of the distortion from the guitar leaves a ringing in your ears. The bass that devours each of your five senses to the point you have an after taste once it's over. Yes, it's the entire package of a concert that makes it or breaks it.
OPENING TO HEADLINING: THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
There's also that hidden surprise aspect to a concert that could make it memorable. Have you ever gone to a concert to see the Headliner, only to leave more excited about the opening act? I know I have. Maybe it's just me, but hearing and seeing "the next big thing" before the rest of the world is special. You get a chance to grow with the band and be there from their rise from the ashes to their own headlining tour. And when that band is headlining, what happens? We get another possible "next big thing," and it all happens again. It's the circle of life for the touring musician.
MY EXPERIENCES
I've been to my share of concerts. Just this past Saturday I was in Mokena, Illinois for a Fashion Bomb and Dope concert. There's plenty of people out there that have been to ten times the concerts I've been to, but that doesn't taint my experiences and memories.
So this week I'm going to reflect on past concerts that I've been to and attempt to describe what makes them special.
 Artist: Nine Inch Nails (& A Perfect Circle)
When: April of 2000
Where: UIC Pavilion in Chicago, IL
The Experience: This was my very first concert. For years before this, Nine Inch Nails was (and still is) my favorite band. When I found that NIN would be in the area on their "Fragility" tour I HAD to go. I cashed in savings bonds given to me by my grandparents to pay for my ticket and my rides. As it came time for the show, my ride backed out. He backed out because of a long story that involved his future ex-wife. I didn't speak to him for at least six months after ditching me. But who cares? My uncle went in his place and we made our way into Chicago without a hitch. We got to our seats and I look around in awe of my first concert experience. Soon the lights go down and this new band called "A Perfect Circle" takes the stage. They go on to perform most of their first album "Mer De Norms" as well as a few covers. While I enjoyed every song they played, what stands out to my was Maynard. His presence was larger than life as I stared at the adjacent wall watching his shadow move to the music. I had no drugs in my system, but the whole scenario and vibe was out of a Tim Burton movie. As quickly as they came on, they were finished. My first live performance cherry had finally been popped. My night wasn't over yet. Nine Inch Nails came on stage and performed a perfect set. During the instrumentals and select tracks, there was three panel screens behind them lowered with beautiful scenery, art, and footage on them. The set is hard to describe. The best bet to fully understand what I'm saying is to get your hands on the "Fragility Tour" DVD. It's pretty much exactly what I experienced that night. The feeling of being at your first concert is one thing, but when that concert is of your favorite band it's magical. I had that magic that night in the spring of 2000.
 Artist: Mindless Self Indulgence
When: February 18th, 2003
Where: The Metro in Chicago, IL
The Experience: It was a Tuesday night and I was off work. Two friends from work, asked me if I wanted to go to Chicago for a concert. I agreed without hesitation because I figured "Why the hell not?" I then found out it was a concert for a band called "Mindless Self Indulgence." I had no idea who they were or what was going to happen at this show. I asked a friend of mine who was doing college DJ work and he wasn't sure. "I think they're punk" he said. So we get there and I'm still lost in the clouds on what will be going on. The opening acts are hard to put my finger on. They didn't install much interest into me, so they'll remain forgotten. Between the first band and the third band, there was an incident with a group of people I was around where they were kicked out of the venue for smoking weed. Thank God my sick humor of a "DARE" hat was in effect that night because myself and friends survived. We decided to walk around the venue for a while. As we wandered around, I heard a new band that drew my interest. They were Tubring. Their electro-punk style was interesting and unique enough to have a lasting effect, but it was their melodies that won me over. As their set was coming to a close, we went to the balcony area and snatched up seats at a table with a great view of the stage. It was finally time for this "MSI" band to take the stage. Two women and two men took the stage. One woman got behind the drum kit and the other was on base, one big monstrous scary man took the guitar, and the man dressed in a pink women's business suit took the mic. Instantly I smiled and was curious about what was about to happen. Well, what happened was one of the most energetic concerts I've ever seen. Full of tracks I didn't know, the setlist was perfect. The singer("Little" Jimmy Urine) jumped around and had more antics than an Animaniacs cartoon. His vocal range was so insane and bizarre that he gave Mike Patton a run for his money. The live experience of this concert forced me to get my hands on every piece of music I could by the group and to this day I've not missed a Chicago show. So I went into this show with no expectations and left having a new SECOND favorite band in the world.
 Artist: 94.7's "Extreme Night Out"(Soil/Tantric/Godsmack)
When: May of 2004
Where: The Tweeter Center in Chicago, IL
The Experience: The main reason I went to this show is because all that week my indy wrestling promotion had commercials on Chicago radio's 94.7 The Zone. I guess you could say I'm a fan of Godsmack. I have all their albums and have even gotten drunk to the point of singing "Voodoo" in karaoke. By all means not my favorite band, but I dig 'em. I knew Soil because of being from Chicago and I enjoyed the one or two songs I've heard of Tantric. So all in all, I didn't have much anticipation for this show. I was worn out preparing for the wrestling show the next day and I just wanted to get some rest. I know for a fact there was more than just three bands at this show, but that's all I remember. Soil went on and did their thing. It was good ball out rock music, but it didn't make me anymore comfortable to be there. Tantric took the stage next. At this point, the clouds started to form outside and the wind picked up. It would build up more and more as Tantric performed. Their performance was damn good and way better than I could have expected. Their mellow rock out session made me a fan for sure. The weather got worse as thunder erupted, lightning flashed, and rain started to come down. At this point I was relieved to be under the pavilion. Godsmack took the stage and performed their asses off. In the midst of the show the weather got worse. The wind and rain was coming sideways covering half of my face and side in cold mist. The thunder gets louder and the lightning gets closer and closer. This doesn't stop the show though. Oh no, Godsmack played right through it. They could have cut things short, but they didn't. They could have cut five minutes off of what seemed to be a ten to fifteen minute drum and bongo solo, but they didn't. What they did was go full force in the roughest of elements. As the show ended, so did the bad weather. As if it was only there for the show or even part of the production, the rain stopped. With ease, we hopped in the car and made it home with no problems.
 Artist: Projekt Revolution Tour(Snoop Dogg/Korn/Linkin Park)
When: August of 2004
Where: The Tweeter Center in Chicago, IL
The Experience:This was one of those shows like Ozzfest that had two stages. The first stage would go on early with the "lesser known" acts performing. I can vaguely remember a non Sum 41 Canadian punk band opening. They were okay, but nothing to write home about. At this point, I spot Bert McCrackhead from The Used. For some unknown reason the man approaches me and asks if I want an autograph. I shrug and pull out a dollar bill for him to sign. He walks away and I joke to my friend Matt that the value of the dollar has decreased. As we joke around, the crowd around the second stage moves out. We go to the front of the stage to find out Ghostface Killa of the Wu-Tang Clan is coming up next. I'd be lying if I were to say this wasn't exciting for me. I'm a huge Wu-Tang fan. Ghostface came on and put on one helluva show. The entire time I get into it a bit too much and hold up the traditional Wu-Tang "W" with my hands. As the show ends one of the hype men approach me and have me come to the side of the stage. With excitement and hype I go over there with Matt. We get ourselves Wu-Tang Ghostface towels, get em signed, and have small talk with Mr. Killa himself. He was as down to earth as any cat I've come across. As we're talking back and forth an unrecognizable man appears from behind him and gives him a bear hug. It was The RZA! He was there as a surprise to visit Ghostface, so Matt and I said our thanks and left them to hang out. We wander off to our lawn seats and hang out. I run into an old friend, so she, Matt and myself hang out for a while in the lawn as The Used plays. We end up hanging out with some guys in kilts who are drunk as hell and buying beer like it's going out of style. Snoop Dogg was up next. I am a bit "under the influence" of a "controlled substance" so I literally sit and lay in the grass the entire time Snoop is on stage. Snoop's set had all his hits and then some and was accompanied by his live band, "The Dogg Pound." Up next was Korn and I was ready for it. I got to my feet and enjoyed my first live Korn experience. It was great to see the songs I've listened to for years performed live, but it was a cover song that stole the show for me. The lights went down and the huge screens on both sides of the stage flashed the words as Korn covered "Another Brick in the Wall." This was before the Greatest Hits CD, where it would be available so it was a huge shock and surprise. Korn finished their set up and we were drained. So we left before Linkin Park hit the stage. Well, besides the fact that Linkin Park isn't my favorite group, there was no way they could overshadow Korn's great performance on that night.
 Artist: The Dresden Dolls
When: October of 2005
Where: The Metro in Chicago, IL
The Experience:I had first experienced The Dresden Dolls live when they opened up for Nine Inch Nails during the early "With Teeth" club tour. I had their albums and enjoyed it from start to finish on each. So I was prepared for what I was getting into, or so I thought. The atmosphere for this specific night was well, how do I say, full of estrogen. I wasn't complaining, because it was all in all a great night. The opening acts considered of a female folk singer who yodeled and a mariachi punk band. If that wasn't bizarre enough, there was stage shows in The Dresden Doll's signature cabaret type of living and moving art. To make things even more surreal, there was a punk rock marching band. This marching band didn't just play on the stage, but they roamed The Metro and would play between all the sets. At one point, my associate Matt and I were sitting in the balcony enjoying some adult beverages when the band comes marching up the stairs. Before we know it, the marching band is surrounding us and not 2 feet away from our faces blasting their respected instruments. That my friends is a surreal experience. But wait, there's more! The Dresden Dolls at this point hadn't even gone on yet. The lights dim and two figures appear on the stage. A recognizable tune starts to play. It's "My Doorbell" by The White Stripes. The lights come up and Amanda Palmer is dressed as Jack White and Brian Viglione is in full drag as Meg White drumming along. They finish off their perfect cover and quickly change their outfits. But they don't change to their normal garb, they change into what appears to be an 80's get-up. From there, Amanda takes over the drums and Brian picks up a guitar and goes to the mic. Still in drag, but improved with the 80's attire, Brian begins to rock out to a cover of Joan Jett's "I Love Rock and Roll." This left Matt and I speechless and with a huge smile upon our faces. The show could have ended right there as far as I'm concerned, but The Dresden Dolls then went onto their own songs and rocked the house cabaret style.
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