Bruce Springsteen concert

It’s been exactly 2 years since my Bruce Springsteen concert in Melbourne. It’s been 2 years since I’ve done something I never thought I would do. Alone at a concert.

I’ve heard stories of people going to the movies alone, for a coffee alone or even to another country for a football game alone. But very few people. I never did any of that. I never thought I would be able to do that. Until one day.
I was planning my trip to Australia and when I heard The boss was playing in Melbourne, that was it. No way am I going to miss that. So I bought the ticket. There it was, a little piece of heaven in my hand. Just talking about it makes my heart pound.

The day was slowly approaching. Nobody from the people I knew was going. Some would give me phone numbers of people they knew were going. I’ve decided I wasn’t going to go with the people I didn’t know. If I’m going, I’m going by myself and I’ll be free to do whatever I want. Besides, I’ll meet some people there.

So I bought a train ticket to Melbourne on the 14 Feb, arranged the accommodation with family friends and there I was. And there was the 15th. After sunny morning, it started raining. I admit it, I thought: ‘Oh no, it’s raining, I don’t have anybody to go with, why did I do this? I’m not sure if I want to go.’ But there was no way back. And I’m so glad there wasn’t.

A friend dropped me at the AAMI park. You could see heaps of people on the streets. I was getting more and more excited.

I came in and thought, well let’s meet some people. But it wasn’t that easy. It was still daytime, it’s not a party, people are not drinking, how the heck am I going to approach someone and say: Hey, wanna hang out? There was this lady on the queue for the beer and she started talking to me, but I’ve noticed that the queue is not really moving and I didn’t want to miss out on Bruce’s beginning, so I said my goodbyes and went for the floor.

I was a bit bummed at first. There I am, turning around and waiting for someone to come up to me. But it’s not happening. Who am I going to share this joy with? It’s not fun being alone. So I was standing and waiting for him to start to play.

And then I decided to go for it. I see some guys behind me, I turn around and ask the most stupid question: Hey guys, do you know when he’ll start to play? They say: It should be any minute now. Then silence. I though to myself: Well, that didn’t go well. And after a few seconds, they asked me: ‘Hey where are you from?’ And we started chatting. And then some of their friends came with bourbon cokes and gave me one and all of a sudden, I wasn’t alone anymore.

Bruce started playing and it was all good. Actually, it was better than good, it was amazing! As they were playing, I would look up at the sky and see how day was slowly turning into night. And I thought: Wow, I’m on another side of the world, looking at the sky and there’s this amazing Bruce playing amazing songs, I’m with new friends, wonderful people who embraced me, and you know what – Life is good.

The only thing I regret is going to the toilet and stopping for a quick chat with my new friend only to realize the most amazing song – The rising, was ending!

My cousins were waiting to pick me up and take me home and on our way to the car, there was a guy selling BS shirts. Now, I’m a proud owner of one 🙂

Remembering that day is an emotional roller coaster. I’m known to shead a tear. I feel like I was in a dream. Maybe I’m a little bit crazy, but as time passes by, I’m wondering if I was really there. And the memories are becoming more dream like. Maybe it was some other world.

But back to reality. Not only did I go to the best concert in the world, not only did they play for 3.5 hours without stopping, not only was I in a faraway Australia, but I did something for my soul. I was feeding it. This world can be a beautiful place if you allow it. Don’t be afraid to do something alone. Face your fears. There are so many friends out there that you still haven’t met, but they are waiting for you and you’ll meet them one day. There is a life out there that will make you grow, become a stronger person. The person you are meant to be.

Don’t let it pass you by.

‘Can’t see nothin’ in front of me
Can’t see nothin’ coming up behind
I make my way through this darkness’

Bruce Springsteen