I can’t think of many things I was obsessed with in my early 20s that I’m still the same level of crazy over in my mid 30s. I’ll always have that baseline of love for UM and will catch my local shows but it’s just natural to drift a bit from the crazy level of devotion and fandom most of us were at during our peak.
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Coincidentally, @iamkickinit made both of these posts within days of each other, lolz.
I too am starting to feel like my days of chasing the band are over. I’m sitting at 145 shows, I really want to get to 150 before I actually take some time off and those 5 shows are feeling like a chore. I still have a blast at every show because as others have said, it’s almost a social thing at this point to see the homies who I’ve met on the road.
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this why there’s so many chompers at UM shows? all types of jaded folk just catching up with old friends?
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Apparently! there are times I don’t even make it into the pit at GA shows. Just float around the outside of it to find homies who don’t mind chatting for a bit, not like any of the jaded ones are up close anymore anyway.
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Shows are fun. Have been to over 200. Have loved some of those stretches and absolutely loathed others.
When they arent playing well at the same time as life being crazy, the hate seems to get doubled down on a bit due to the humanistic nature of us all, but they have also just really sucked at times, IMO.
I will never go out of my way, but will still get a kick out of it when I do. They are kicking ass this year, but at the same time even walking out of the venue in Austin after it was canceled i was like “meh, fuck it, gonna save some money tonight.”
Will see the Frieday-Saturday SCamp shows and whenever they come to STL/Peoria/Urbana. Chicago has aalmost become too far even, but thats just because I am old and lazy.
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Amtrak is increasing their speed by 20 mph to 110 mph for service in between St Louis and Chicago.
I just saw that on the local news yesterday. Big moment in time for the I-55ers of the world.
They will probably derail within a month, though.
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Welcome back, pancake
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I’m definitely in the “I don’t like UM anywhere near as much as I used to” camp. Been some really solid stuff the last few months, but I don’t find myself wanting to listen much. New album is a big part of what did me in
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Borderline hate UM until im at a show. Then i love everything.
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Im even jealous of that. Really what did me in was being let down/disappointed at shows. I think the Beech Mtn shows in '21 were the last straw for me. Just terrible. And having a bad time at your favorite band is a really awful place to be.
The new album definitely sucks. But theres even a few newer songs that I don’t mind. And there’s been some really great jams this year. I just don’t care any more.
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I wonder if major Deadheads ever got to this point or if UM is a band that just has a natural shelf life.
Point is, when they were younger and probably able to be a little more greased up on stage, they’re putting out great improv and heater shows every week. Now they’re family guys, and probably care more about the income instead of putting out fire shows all the time. I wonder if the style of music they play led to that too. Regardless, I haven’t been through the bad stretches, pandy abstaining, and for the most part everything is still a fresh sound for me.
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A part of it for me is a change in taste and what I’m seeking from going to a live music event, and that’s not entirely their fault, but they have changed, as bands do, and that has created a bigger gap between what I want and what they deliver. They still put on a good concert and I don’t have a bad time at their shows. Unfortunately, I still leave with my thirst unquenched.
If I had the means at the time, I think 2008 would have been the best year for me to be hitting shows.
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“I wanna dance!”
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Definitely. Lots of 70s purists jumped ship in the 80s, especially after In the Dark. More after Jerry died, more when D&C started (I get those last 2 are different). But the Dead also started the idea of following the band and seeing every show, and that didnt come until the late 70s. Why every setlist was pretty much the same in the 70s.
Honestly seeing any band gets kinda stale after ~50 shows. You have to reeeeaaaally love the product to put in more effort than that.
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I canceled my Nugs account last week because I hadn’t been using it at all the last two months, even tho I followed winter tour pretty heavily.
13 shows last year was overkill for me. Feel like I go in phases where it’s all I listen to and then I go total ghost for a few months.
I do think they are objectively badly managed/terrible business decision makers.
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Its the case for all bands, sports teams, honestly even people. We strive for routine and its nice having those things in your back pocket waiting for you, but over exposure leads to becoming annoyed.
The more I love something the more angry it will make me, too. I am sure I hate Cubs/Bears/Phish/my family more than 99% of the world, but I also love them more than 99% of the world.
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Bro you’re not getting ur squeak on then
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I’m basically the opposite. Being at mediocre shows really bugs me
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Same. I will dance and let loose because the world blows and I need my releases, but leaving a “bad” show puts such a sour taste in my mouth and makes me hate way more until i actually see something good again.
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