I know I’m getting old when half the bands I see are on a reunion tour.

Yes, this is a sad day indeed. I went to see two amazing shows last week, both reunion tours. The New York Dolls and Devo. Both bands rocked, but damn, are they old. As I scanned the 40-year-old plus crowd, I realized that I’m not as young and hip as I used to be. I started coming to this realization after three shows (in a few months) at the prestigious DAR Constitution Hall in DC. Granted, I saw the Pixies, Morrissey, and REM, but three times at DAR?!? Pathetic.

As one would expect from its name, DAR is a beautiful, formal (read: stuffy) music hall with assigned seating (read: appealing to tired old people), hosting a range of events from country to classical to comedy. Although I love my thirties, it’s hard for me to admit that the shows that I’m actually coughing up 40 bucks to see are selling out to stuffy old people that are too tired to stand.

Other indicators of aging:

I prefer to have the option to sit down at a show.
I like my space at shows, so prefer half-filled shows versus sold out ones.
I no longer enjoy all-day outdoor festivals, unless drunk, and even then it’s not guaranteed fun because of the long bathroom lines.
I get irritated when I can’t carry a conversation with someone during the show.
All the shows I attend actually start on time and end by midnight.
I get frustrated when bands start late on a school night.
Songs I like are in television commercials (and films, which isn’t as bad).
Bands I like are being played on the radio (frequently), e.g. Keane and the Killers.
Bands I like are featured on television sitcom soundtracks.
I like musicians I thought I would never like, e.g. Bob Dylan.
I have paid more than 40 bucks to see a show, more than once.
I complain that the music is sometimes too loud.
I am the oldest person in the audience.

With that said, there are three signs that I’m not completely and hopelessly old when it comes to music.

1) I detest assigned seating.
2) I recognize some band names in the local indie/punk rock venue listings.
3) I like bands that most people have never heard of.

Damn, I just came to another realization. After all these years of hating being called a music snob, it seems I’m still aspiring to this ideal. Ah, fuck it, my music taste is probably better than yours anyway.

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