How to concert better after 50
Plus: Top stories of the week: More moolah for top city and county executives — Historic school building moved to museum campus — Former BofA exec becomes CEO of Foundation for the Carolinas
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There are steps you can take to make concerts more enjoyable — and easier on your body
It’s easy to enjoy shows like this Gogol Bordello concert at the Fillmore if you plan ahead with a few simple steps. (Photo courtesy of Jay Ahuja.)
By Jay Ahuja
There was a time — because I’m 6’5” and north of 200 pounds — that I didn’t mind participating in the occasional concert mosh pit.
That time started in college with The Clash on April 22, 1984, in Oswego, N.Y. It ended on Oct. 4, 1996, during a 26-song marathon concert at Memorial Stadium, right here in Charlotte.
The band was Pearl Jam, and more than a few guys were escorted away from the stage by security that night. I wasn’t one of them, but I realized that my mosh pit days were behind me.
For about a decade now, since turning 50, I’ve mastered a kinder, gentler way to enjoy live music while giving my knees, back, and internal organs a much-needed break.
Let me share what I’ve learned with you from attending dozens of concerts, with plenty of trial and error:
Save your legs. At most venues, unless you’re in a front-row seat, you will spend significant time on your feet or sit and watch the back of the person in front of you. Plan for it. If you get tired or tired of not being able to see the artist(s), you don’t have to remain in your seat. On occasion, I’ve retreated from floor seats to decent seats on the first level and even exchanged tickets with complete strangers, so I can sit while they enjoy some time in the pit. Typically, I target somebody younger for such an offer. Another strategy is to be proactive in buying seats. Forgo the floor seats for the first row of the balcony.
Sit during tailgating. If you tailgate beforehand, bring a chair, and sit while you still can.
Wear appropriate shoes and socks. I’m partial to Asics socks, but any hiker will tell you that good socks are nearly as important as good boots. I also have a dedicated pair of Clarks shoes for concerts. They have great arch support and make a big difference. My wife, Karen, is partial to Vionics flats. And, I’m breaking in a pair of HOKA sneakers for future shows. Most of them are ugly as sin, but word is they’re game-changing.
Don’t forget to hydrate. Pace yourself and hydrate before, during and after a show. If you’re drinking alcohol, alternate with water. Liquid Death canned water has become ubiquitous at local venues. It’s overpriced, but at least it’s not a single-use plastic bottle.
Take a slimmed-down wallet. I don’t like sitting on my wallet, so I bring a minimized, alternate version with credit card, cash and ID.
Pack a koozie. I also bring an old can koozie, one that I wouldn’t mind leaving behind. It weighs nothing, takes up no room and helps keep drinks cold.
Know the rules. It’s important to know what is allowed into a given venue, so check the website. Most allow only clear bags of a certain size. Karen has two versions that hold what she needs and allow her to pass through checkpoints quickly. Ideally, everything I need can be placed in that little plastic bowl as I pass through security.
Veteran concert-goer Jay Ahuja (left) at PNC Music Pavilion for Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience last month; Jay’s concert gear (right) includes an alternate wallet, house key with bottle opener keychain, ear plugs and a can koozie. (Photos courtesy of Jay Ahuja)
Bring earplugs. I’ve come to appreciate earplugs. For years, I took the disposable orange foam kind to shows. I bought them in bulk, kept half a bag in my car and the other in the house, for when we use Lyft or Uber (which is almost always now). When we ran out of earplugs, Karen surprised me with a pair of Loop Earplugs. They provide up to -18db of noise reduction and have a handy carrying case. I used them for the first time at a Government Mule concert and was so glad to have them.
Take screen shots of your tickets. We are fortunate to have a variety of local live music venues, from stadiums to piano bars, with even more on the way. Each is unique, and cell phone coverage can vary. It’s wise to take a screen shot of your tickets in case service is spotty. It won’t get you into the show, but once you’re inside, it can get you back to your seats after a trip for concessions.
Make a plan. Venues attract and accommodate different artists and audiences. It’s been my experience that the bigger the venue, the more planning ahead helps. That’s especially true at festivals with multiple stages. By taking a few simple steps in advance — like studying the band schedule, scouting the various stages and routes between them and arriving early enough to beat the crowd at the merchandise tent — I have yet to come across concerts or venues I cannot enjoy.
Prepare for the merch. Speaking of the merch tent, if you plan to purchase a poster, bring a tube. If you’re buying an LP, bring a bag, or better yet, a bag and a sturdy LP box. That way, they’ll get home in good shape.
Ask for help or special seats if needed. If you have a physical health issue, stop by customer service to see if they can assist. At many venues, seats are often set aside for folks with hearing and mobility issues. It can’t hurt to ask.
So go forth and rock, even at your advanced age.
Jay Ahuja has lived, worked and played in Charlotte since 1986. He has one wife, two stepsons and two dogs. He’s had two sports travel guidebooks published and produced a documentary film, “Live From The Double Door Inn.” He works for WDAV 89.9FM, the region’s classical public radio station. He’s been attending concerts after 50 years of age for more than a decade.
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This week in Charlotte: CMS test scores improve; bill advances to open liquor stores on Sundays; furniture manufacturer files for bankruptcy; Ledger publishes important mental health series
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Special Ledger series on the youth mental health crisis
This week, The Ledger published a comprehensive, 4-day series exploring the childhood mental health crisis in Charlotte. Readers learned about the challenges to getting care, what happens when families seek care, how colleges are responding and resources that are available if your child needs urgent help.
The series was created in partnership with North Carolina Health News. You can read all of the articles for free here:
“Where have all the psychiatrists gone?” (Tuesday)
“When the E.R. is the only option” (Wednesday)
“Colleges focus on mental health as students return” (Thursday)
“More mental health help is on the way for Charlotte youth” (Friday)
Education
CMS test scores: Approximately 52.1% of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students scored proficient on state-level exams last year — an improvement over last year — and more than one-third of schools exceeded growth targets. But the numbers are still below pre-pandemic figures and this year’s state average, and 59 CMS schools earned the state’s low-performing designation, which is an increase of 9 schools from the previous year. (Observer)
Trauma kits for teachers: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teachers were given trauma kits last week to treat students during active school shootings or other violent events. The 11,000 Go Bags contained emergency survival items like bandages, gauze, a tourniquet, glass breaking tool and rope. (Observer)
Politics
Raises for county, city executives: The Charlotte City Council voted last week to give City Manager Marcus Jones a 4% raise. He now makes $451,933 in base pay, with total compensation of $521,662, WSOC’s Joe Bruno reported on Twitter. The council also voted for a 6% raise to the city clerk and a 3.5% raise to the city attorney, Mayor Vi Lyles said at the meeting. Mecklenburg commissioners approved an 8% raise for County Manager Dena Diorio, taking her combined total compensation to $505,841.75. (Observer)
ABC bill moves forward: A bill that would allow ABC stores to open on Sundays as well as the Fourth of July, Labor Day and New Year’s Day passed a committee in the N.C. House. The measure would also allow bars and restaurants to sell to-go cocktails. (WUNC)
Local news
Historic Siloam School relocated: The historic Siloam School moved Friday from the Mallard Creek neighborhood to the Charlotte Museum of History’s campus in east Charlotte. The Siloam School is a 1920s African-American schoolhouse.
Murdaugh case continues? Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys are calling for a new trial after they say the court clerk told the jury not to trust Murdaugh’s testimony and pressured the jury to come to a verdict quickly. Murdaugh is serving life without parole after being convicted of shooting and killing his wife and son. (WSOC)
Business
Cathy Bessant named Foundation for the Carolinas CEO: Cathy Bessant, who announced her retirement in July from a 42-year career with Bank of America, will take over as president and CEO of Foundation for the Carolinas starting Jan. 1.
Furniture maker bankruptcy: The N.C.-based furniture maker Mitchell Gold Co., also known as Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Wednesday. In bankruptcy documents, the company said PNC Bank declined to provide the financing it needed. (Furniture Today)
Sports
Panthers season kickoff: The Carolina Panthers play their first game of the season Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta, with a new coach and a new quarterback. It’s projected to be a rebuilding year for the Panthers, with 24 new players, rookie quarterback Bryce Young and a retooled coaching staff led by Frank Reich.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
The rubber is hitting the road: Charlotte is transitioning from traditional asphalt speed humps to rubber “speed cushions” for traffic calming in neighborhoods. Speed cushions are cheaper and quicker to install, which will address a backlog of over 100 neighborhoods awaiting traffic-calming measures.
Unpacking the blown leads: Charlotte FC has made an uncomfortable habit of blowing leads — nine times in 26 games so far this season, the team has taken a lead and failed to win. Ledger sportswriter Carroll Walton breaks down the possible reasons it keeps happening.
Editor’s note: The Ways of Life obituaries newsletter will return for paying Ledger members on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman, BC Creative
I love this! thank you Jay