Talk Without Speaking

So, tonight Cat, John M, his daughter and I trekked out to see Avril Lavigne in concert at GM Place. On the whole “go big or go home” premise I (who was responsible for buying tickets) had decided to get general admission tickets. Whereas I am 6′4″, Chanyce is about 5″ and, although the average height of the average concert attendee was not much higher than that, she had a difficult time seeing some of the show. I had thought that the show would be us and 10,000 16 year olds so I was amazed to find out that it was us and 10,000 11 year olds (and a couple thousand worried parents).

All in all I have to say that the concert was far better than I expected. I mean I expected a lot of flash/bang to distract from the lack of performance ability and, in that respect, I was not disappointed. However, the flash/bang was very well done and when millions of electric metal strips fell from the ceiling being illuminated by purple and white searchlights, I was as mesmerized as everyone else.

The concert was a total contrast to U2’s almost total lack of flash in their last tour. (Hey, but Avril is no Bono). Whereas Avril started the show atop a lit pedestal as a blocking curtain falls from the roof; completely different from U2 calmly walking onto stage with all the lights up (Hey, but Avril is no The Edge).

As Avril’s set began and the screams were absolutely deafening (I had removed my toilet paper earplugs so as to fully enjoy the Avril experience) I wondered how, at 18 years old, you can possibly deal with the adoration. I don’t remember my year 18 being quite like that.