Pathetic aging hipster is second-oldest concert attendee

And so what?

I love music. Years ago, a friend who takes music seriously (and who sang with a chorus that performed with the San Jose Symphony) told me that if you love music, you should support musicians. Don’t spend money on stereo equipment; that doesn’t do anything for the people who make music. Instead, spend in ways that support the whole ecosystem that makes music possible.

So we go to shows. I buy music on Bandcamp. I don't stream, because musicians make next to nothing from it. The closest I come is listening to KCRW or BBC 6 online. Both stations are true tastemakers, so artists benefit from the exposure as well as getting teensy bits of revenue.

And I come across new-to-me artists in other ways. Like my yoga class. The studio calls it Yoga Jam, and it features themed playlists. One day, the playlist was music by Faye Webster. I hadn't heard her before, but I really liked her—very mellow, perfect for doing yoga to. I came home, bought the album on Bandcamp, and really liked it. Bandcamp put me on her mailing list, so I got a presale code when she announced her tour with a stop in Chicago.

What I did not know is that she is especially popular with teenage girls. And so, my husband was almost definitely the oldest person at the show, and I was almost definitely second oldest. We were both among the more underdressed attendees.

But we had a great time! Also, the lines at the bar were short. And my youngest niece is impressed that I went.

There's a time when I was so much of a music snob that I would have sneered at old people going to a concert. But now I have embraced my pathetic aging hipster status. Certainly, the 2022 death of my sister-in-law and the 2023 death of my baby brother are part of that. Sometimes, my husband or I will question spending money or going out on a weeknight, and then one of us will say, What would Paul and Sunny want us to do?

Paul and Sunny would want us to go out and have fun.

And so, even if it feels a little ridiculous, do what brings you joy. Younger you might roll her eyes, but she’s not here anymore, is she? The only you is who you are right now.

Have any thoughts? Please share in the comments.