As a journalist and music lover, there is nothing more exciting than covering concerts and seeing some of my favorite bands play live.
Last July, I began my journey into the world of rock when I attended the Depeche Mode concert at the Journal Pavilion in Albuquerque. An avid concert-goer, I was ready to try my hand at reviewing a show for ¡Caliente!, the News-Bulletin’s arts magazine.
I was joined by a group of friends from work; we spread our blankets out across the lush, green grass and made ourselves comfortable. The pastel peach and lavender sunset seemed to stretch out in every direction.
Endless rows of couples, family members and friends were busy laughing and talking all around us. The concert was about to start, and the adrenaline inside me was growing with each passing minute. I smiled as I put the press sticker on the front of my shirt. It was time to get to work.
A warm summer breeze greeted me as I said good-bye to my friends. Our press contact, Carla, met me outside near Will Call before escorting me down the grassy plain to where the band was about to perform. We moved quickly and with determination, as if on an important mission to find Depeche Mode. The closer we got to the stage, the more my heart raced. Behind us, thousands of fans waited for a glimpse of Dave Gahan and his bandmates.
It was getting dark by the time Carla got me past security, and I was left alone with only my camera. There was only one other photographer standing beside me near the enormous speakers. We introduced ourselves and chatted with each other for a few minutes before the music began.
She took out a huge camera from her bag and attached a long zoom lens while I prepared the trusty Nikon I got during my photography class at NMSU. We had free rein of the small space between the stage and the barricade before the first row of fans. The only rule was I could only take pictures during the first three songs of the show, and I was not allowed to use a flash.
We both looked back in amazement at the enormity of our situation. I thought to myself, “How can I be right in front of the stage? I can’t believe this is happening.”
Within minutes, lead singer Dave Gahan was right before me, hugging the microphone and belting out “I Feel You” from the band’s most recent CD, “Exciter.” Right then and there, I was hooked. Gahan slinked across the stage like a sly panther in his black leather pants. He kneeled down to make a closer connection to the audience. Between clicks of my camera, I paused to sing along and smile at the divine rock star.
Before I knew it, I became one of the crowd once again — just another dot in the steadfast sea of admirers. The only difference between me and the others was that I had my reporter’s notepad out and jotted down magic moments to highlight the concert.
Depeche Mode was only the beginning. Last summer I had amazing opportunities to go and review concerts for Destiny’s Child, Nelly and the Barenaked Ladies. Other memory-makers came my way this year when I went to see The Strokes and Longwave at the Sunshine Theater.
My desire to see live music continues. In fact, just the other night I gazed into the eyes of beautiful Brandon Boyd and the guys of Incubus at Tingley Coliseum. Hearing the talented band play live was the ultimate experience.
With the wave of big bands coming to Albuquerque, I don’t see myself slowing down any time soon. Right now I’m gearing up to see ultimate rock stars Gwen Stefani and the rest of No Doubt. Look for me at the concert. I’ll be the beaming fan with the camera and notebook.
