2024 has truly been a year of nostalgic anniversaries – particularly when it comes to music. Earlier this year, I headed to Las Vegas to celebrate The Killers’ 20th anniversary of their debut album, ‘Hot Fuss’, an album from a band that forever changed the trajectory of my life. But there were also the 20th anniversaries of albums by other longtime favorites of mine like Franz Ferdinand, Green Day, Arcade Fire, etc.
But another big one that I actively celebrated by watching the band perform it in it’s entirety live from start to finish was the sophomore album from Interpol, ‘Antics’, which was originally released in September of 2004.
If The Killers provided the soundtrack to the parties and whirlwind romances of my life, then Interpol provided the soundtrack to the moody mornings after the parties were over and the heartbreak when those whirlwind romances came to an end. They are a band I have adored for a very long time now, and their songs – haunting and beautiful – remain some of my favorite tracks of all time.
The band were in Boston this past weekend as part of an ‘Antics’ 20th anniversary tour where they played the album all the way through and returned for two encores with some of their other beloved singles. I had arrived at the venue, Roadrunner, a little while before doors opened and found myself against the barricade for the first time in a long time (I usually watch from the back to play it safe!)
And while I had a decent view of the stage throughout the night, I feel like it’s important to talk about unspoken concert etiquette – a lost art, really. While venues have their own sets of rules in place – like no smoking, no large bags/purses, no sharp objects on your person – all for common sense safety purposes, there’s also rules when it comes to being polite and courteous to others around you.
For example, if you’re very tall, and you are up near the front of the crowd, concert etiquette typically involves letting shorter people in front of you so they can see. I’m fairly tall, and while I had originally been against the barricade, I allowed a group of significantly shorter people to get in front of me so they wouldn’t have to stare at the back of my head all night as the place filled up with more people. All without obstructing my own view of the opening band and of Interpol when it came time for them to take the stage.
Another rule is that snapping an occasional photo or video is perfectly fine, but if you hold up your phone for the entirety of the concert – you’re being rude. Not just to those around you, but to the bands/artists performing, as well.
So when the show was about to start and a group of grown men, all over six-feet-tall, pushed their way to the front of the crowd and clung to the barrier – only to immediately take out their phones to hold up over their heads and start recording the entire sets – myself and many others were fuming. I,, and a few other people asked if they could either let the shorter, smaller folks in front of them so they could see or at the very least, put down their phones because the screens were also obstructing the views of those further back in the crowd. They refused – and ultimately the crowd pushed against them in retaliation until they had to take a few steps back from the front to watch comfortably.
But other than a handful of people having a gross disregard for others, the concert was incredible – and I may or may not have teared up when I heard beautiful songs like ‘A Time To Be So Small’ and ‘Obstacle 1’ live (spoiler: I did.)
And although I’d had every intention of exploring Boston and Brighton’s Christmas décor before or after the show – I never got around to it. I get a second chance tonight, though – when I head out to Fenway for another gig this evening!
I’m sure I’ll have some photos soon!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 