maribou | Then (Spring 1997) and Now, Live Music Edition

Then: Had never heard of most of the acts I saw.
Now: More often than not, motivated by legendary status and probable imminent death of some of the same acts.

Then: Spent all day at venue, arriving hours before first act.
Now: Stayed for an hour, went home, came back hours later.

Then: Stood as close as possible to stage.
Now: Yep. Right in front of the speakers. HELL YEAH.

Then: Avoided attending with friends because I was there for the music and didn't want to deal with social things.
Now: Invited friends, but they're all too old/busy/not-living-nearby.

Then: Danced and flirted with as many cute people as convenient.
Now: No, no, no, no. (Maybe if my friends'd come.)

Then: I could have danced all night.
Now: DANCE DANCE DANCE. (wheeze quietly for half a song). DANCE DANCE DANCE. (oof. huff.) JUMP JUMP JUMP JUMP. (clutch fence, feel old but happy.)

Then: Was always surprised when I utterly lost myself to the song.
Now: You'd think I'd quit being surprised.

Then: Contact high.
Now: Indeed (whoa, have I lost my resistance). And an extra buzz from graffiti spray paint cans that were being wielded next to the stage.

Then: Sweat and singing and yelling and physical community and oh my god, the music.
Now: Yes, that.

Then: Would crash in Ari's bed, or walk home through bar-hopping crowds, singing to myself, depending on exhaustion levels.
Now: Made it home on foot, barely.

Then: Lilacs smelled sweetest at midnight.
Now: They still do.