A night of music, a life of learning.

I was there.
I looked up several times.

 If not now, when? Tour - Incubus 2011

DTE Energy Music Theater

Michigan

Whenever I see an Incubus video of one of their concerts, I love when the camera pans towards the ocean of adoring fans.. and every time I see that, I imagine myself being in that very ocean, floating in the same cosmic jacuzzi. I love being in the midst of 'Bus fans, singing out loud, jumping around, knowing what the song is in the first bar or two of music and flinging my arms up and cheering in unison. I love this picture, it's one of my favorite pictures I captured that night. It also reminds me of where I was the first time...watching them perform in the VA Beach Amphitheater, literally in the very back of the lawn seating area. When I got to this venue, I was shocked at how much closer I was.. I could actually see the stage! Next time? ..and there will be a next time...I am going to be up front with my arms flung up, singing, dancing, cheering along and soaking up every single moment.

Setlist

Pardon Me

Wish You Were Here

Adolescents
Anna Molly
Promises, Promises
If Not Now, When?
Circles
When It Comes
Stellar
Vitamin
In the Company of Wolves
Defiance (Acoustic)
I Miss You (Acoustic)
Just a Phase
A Crow Left of a Murder
Drive
Nice To Know You

ENCORE

Megalomaniac
Sick Sad Little World
Tomorrow's Food

As much as I enjoyed sharing my moment among other Incubus fans, music has always been something very personal. There are songs I take to heart and can relate to on a level full of emotion - and many of Incubus' songs do that for me. Incubus...they are more than just a band - and it is more than just a bunch of songs. Their music reminds me of love..and of light. It reminds me to look up at the stars...and to open my eyes. Their music gives me reasons to smile...and even reasons to cry. His voice, their music...has the awesome ability to pull at my heart strings and tug at my very soul.

...I am also reminded that music, however personal - must be shared. And not just music - but anything that may hold special meaning; whether it be art or poetry. Now...I'm unsure when this happened exactly, but I'm beginning to learn things of myself that I did not know existed. I'm certain it's been there all along, and I've started to take notice and acknowledge it as something potentially harmful. Yes, there are also many positive things that I've discovered of myself in my lifetime...but the not so positive things, they appear as a cloudy overcast over the clear blue skies. I'm 40 years old and still have so much room to grow - my eyes can widen even more than they have been. I am learning to trust...to put trust into others and myself. I am learning that my insecurities has the deviant way of turning a calm ocean into a hurricane of torment, not just within myself, but towards others. I'm incredibly sorry when that negative part of me shadows any of the good light, and it is too late to undo. I truly wish that human part of me did not exist. I'm learning like most good things, music this beautiful should be shared.. and that it will not, and should not take away what it sings to your own soul.

"...and there's an absence today of defiance.."

- From Defiance by Incubus

 

 And then there's this song:

We all have a weakness
But some of ours are easy to identify.
Look me in the eye
and ask for forgiveness;
We'll make a pact to never speak that word again.
Yes, you are my friend.

We all have something that digs at us.
At least we dig each other.
So when weakness turns my ego up
I know you'll count on the me from yesterday.

If I turn into another,
Dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me.
Sing this song!
Remind me that we'll always have each other
When everything else is gone.

We all have a sickness
That cleverly attaches and multiplies
No matter how we try.

We all have someone that digs at us.
At least we dig each other.
So when sickness turns my ego up
I know you'll act as a clever medicine.

If I turn into another,
Dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me.
Sing this song!
Remind me that we'll always have each other
When everything else is gone.

"If I turn into another, dig me up from under what is covering the better part of me." If I am lucky enough to have your honest friendship or love...or if I have the unbelievable beauty of both. I dedicate this song to you.