To Rock Out or Not to Rock Out??

[EasyRyder]

That is my question. I always enjoy moving to music at concerts, and particularly at MMJ shows I tend to vigorously throw my body around. However, I find that the more I'm into the groove of the music with my moving limbs, the less I remember the show.

Has anyone experienced this same issue?? Does anyone have advice?? Is the moment of rocking out simply more important than titillating memories??!!

I'm usually not unreasonably intoxicated, so that's not a factor. I'm genuinely concerned about this because I need to evaluate my concert-enjoying strategies before MMJ tour season sweeps me off my feet.

Peer-reviewed scientific studies would be appreciated in support of any conjectures, but mere personal opinions are very much appreciated. HELP!

[el_chode]

My ability to remember a show rarely has to do with intoxication, it just affects how I remember it.

I find that I forget it the less focused I am on the show. For example, I remember less about Bermuda Highway from T5 because the brah next to me was singing it to his girlfriend through his popped collar.

[e_wind]

I have the same problem. I remember what songs they play, and I know I had fun, but I never remember the specific details of their movements and shit.

[iLikeBeer]

My ability to remember a show rarely has to do with intoxication, it just affects how I remember it.

I find that I forget it the less focused I am on the show. For example, I remember less about Bermuda Highway from T5 because the brah next to me was singing it to his girlfriend through his popped collar.

That's too funny!  I had a similar experience at a Furthur show last summer.  While the boys were singing Not Fade Away, this drunk girl behind us was wailing what she thought were the lyrics?!  All I'm hearing is, "YOU KNOW OUR LOVE IS GONNA FADE AWAY" over and over and over?!   :D

[el_chode]

My ability to remember a show rarely has to do with intoxication, it just affects how I remember it.

I find that I forget it the less focused I am on the show. For example, I remember less about Bermuda Highway from T5 because the brah next to me was singing it to his girlfriend through his popped collar.

That's too funny!  I had a similar experience at a Furthur show last summer.  While the boys were singing Not Fade Away, this drunk girl behind us was wailing what she thought were the lyrics?!  All I'm hearing is, "YOU KNOW OUR LOVE IS GONNA FADE AWAY" over and over and over?!   :D

Surprised, i thought it was the newer generations that sucked at shows (unless that person at furthur was one also).

I also remember I Will Be There When You Die because another brah said he was annoyed they were playing so many slow songs, and someone else complained about "who came here to hear a banjo?" during If It Smashes Down

[iLikeBeer]

Surprised, i thought it was the newer generations that sucked at shows (unless that person at furthur was one also).

Yeah.  She was a youngin'.  I doubt she was even of age to be drinking?! 

[ynwa]

so it's not just me then?

sometimes i wish i remembered more details, especially when reading what others write in their posts.  and sometimes i'll read someone's.  post and it triggers the memory.  i try my best to block out any surrounding annoying people distractions but some creep in anyway.but, when i really think about it, i'm glad that i'm in the moment - rocking out WITH the band, rather than trying to make sure i will remember more stuff later.  but that's just me.

plus, i can't really help rocking out, it just happens.

[capt. scotty]

Its a crime to limit your rocking out when the gods of rock want you to willingly submit to their sonic booms and RTFO.

Rock now, groove when youre 60

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

sometimes for me, I'll keep my eyes closed for entire songs while I rock out.  only opening them to make sure I'm not fucking with somebodies shit.  the light flashes thru my eyelids, the energy from the people around me.  at mmj shows I try and take jims advice of getting in the "zone", to me "the zone" is what it's all about.

quiet songs I stand still, sometimes close my eyes and nod my head.   when my eyes need to be open they are.

[kydiddle]

Rock out. The music is there, being play right in front of you...rock OUT. I need to walk away from a show remembering how I felt during those few blissful hours. If I'm worried about taking in every detail or staring intently at the stage then it's not the same for me. There is a lot I don't remember about the Terminal 5 run. I don't remember a few songs that prior to the shows I swore to myself I would burn in my memory forever. But the things I do remember from those nights are the dancing and the moving and hand-holding and the feeling of the music against my face and skin as I rocked out. I missed a lot of stuff that happened on stage, but I remember the looks on the faces of my friends and how it felt to just close my eyes and move.

On the other hand, if I had danced more at the Philly show I would have missed that magical moment during "Touch Me Pt. 1" when Jim stepped to the edge of the stage and made some serious eye contact.

[MMJ_fanatic]

Rock out--don't hold back, you can always catch up during the slow stuff

[EasyRyder]

I'm not sure if this is what Alcoholics Anonymous feels like, but I like it. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one  :-\

I think the consensus is RTFO. or as a famous Chinese restaurant in Charleston, SC puts it: "Rock out with your Wok out."

Thank you all for your invaluable insights and contributions....and Sticky, I think I'm going to try the eyes-closed thing a little more.

[ynwa]

i think the general consensus is to rock the fuck out.

sticky & ky put into words what a live concert experience should be.  'nuff said there.

[ManNamedTruth]

My advice is to do what you feel is necessary, if that includes rocking out then go ahead. I'm more of a mellow head-nodder myself.

[FiddleCastro]

Rock out. The music is there, being play right in front of you...rock OUT. I need to walk away from a show remembering how I felt during those few blissful hours. If I'm worried about taking in every detail or staring intently at the stage then it's not the same for me. There is a lot I don't remember about the Terminal 5 run. I don't remember a few songs that prior to the shows I swore to myself I would burn in my memory forever. But the things I do remember from those nights are the dancing and the moving and hand-holding and the feeling of the music against my face and skin as I rocked out. I missed a lot of stuff that happened on stage, but I remember the looks on the faces of my friends and how it felt to just close my eyes and move.

On the other hand, if I had danced more at the Philly show I would have missed that magical moment during "Touch Me Pt. 1" when Jim stepped to the edge of the stage and made some serious eye contact.

One of my favorite Live MMJ Moments?

Getting thrown at the stage by Ky. Total ROCK moment.

[Ruckus]

I'm really surprised at the number of people here that have sided with RTFO.  I like to rock out a bit (as that J Roddy EPK or me headbutting Soulshine at T5 might attest) and typically leave a show not remembering any of the subtleties nor even much stage banter for that matter.  50% of that I'd attribute to alcohol but the other 50% is that I just don't care.  I like living in the moment and to be honest, at most shows, my eyes are closed, I'm grinning and just RTFO!  Ask me if I remember "that part where Milli Vanilli's mics started working" or "when the Spin Doctors' bassist's ponytail came undone", my answer will be "nope" every time.  Ask me if I had a rockin' time and my answer will be "yup" every time.

[Tracy 2112]

my 2 cents is if you don't want to "rock out" then don't get within 100 feet of the stage. As an elderly person, I understand the hazards of goin' up in the krunk and I am willing to accept the consequences of mixing it up with the kiddies. What I can't stand is people wanting to have a deep, intimate moment with the band (i.e. just standing there) during Run Thru while they're 10 feet away from the stage.

[kydiddle]

Rock out. The music is there, being play right in front of you...rock OUT. I need to walk away from a show remembering how I felt during those few blissful hours. If I'm worried about taking in every detail or staring intently at the stage then it's not the same for me. There is a lot I don't remember about the Terminal 5 run. I don't remember a few songs that prior to the shows I swore to myself I would burn in my memory forever. But the things I do remember from those nights are the dancing and the moving and hand-holding and the feeling of the music against my face and skin as I rocked out. I missed a lot of stuff that happened on stage, but I remember the looks on the faces of my friends and how it felt to just close my eyes and move.

On the other hand, if I had danced more at the Philly show I would have missed that magical moment during "Touch Me Pt. 1" when Jim stepped to the edge of the stage and made some serious eye contact.

One of my favorite Live MMJ Moments?

Getting thrown at the stage by Ky. Total ROCK moment.

*takes a bow*

[wolof7]

When seeing a "worthy rock band"

I CAN"T NOT ROCK OUT!

literally physically and emotionally impossible

[EasyRyder]

I CAN"T NOT ROCK OUT!

From urbandictionary.com- search word, rocking out:

"There have been no reported deaths from rocking out."