Set List

I went to a concert last week - something I used to do all the time, but lately do just once a year. It was great, but I kinda see why I've stopped. I never was the concert-going type, really. I'd go to local shows to photograph the bands, so at least I looked busy. At big rock shows, I was awkward (as usual). I don't sing along, I don't dance, I just stand there in awe, staring at the band. When the cameras would show the crowd on the jumbo-tron, I'd always dread being shown. I don't know what's wrong with me, really. I guess I'm just shy, a homebody. I love seeing bands do their thing live, and I understand if you're there just for the music, you should listen to the CD at home. I just enjoy things in my own weird way, I imagine.

Anyway, for a long time I didn't realize bands had set lists. I figured they'd play one song, then the drummer would count off for what he wanted to play next, or the guitarist would play the riff of the song and they'd all come in. It's embarrassing, how long I thought this was the way bands worked. Once I discovered set lists, it was like a light clicked on inside: So THIS is the way it's done. Everything is planned.

Not to be overly dramatic, but my life has kind of been upside down lately. When I thought again about my discovery of the set list, my heart felt lighter, because I knew that somehow, this would help me work things out. The idea of organization, of picking this song to follow that, of telling everyone involved what the plans are... I wanted to link the set list to my life. But I couldn't. And I'm not sure what that means.