My mother used to date a sound equipment guy who worked local gigs for small venues. One event popped up that seemed like a hidden gem — a band from the 1990s with considerable air play was set to come play at a bar that needed some help setting up and getting the equipment ready. Although technically I was only 17, my mother and her boyfriend were able to get me in — hush-hush, but in.
I helped one of the waitresses setup the backroom with snacks and drinks, and I got to hang out with the band and snack on veggies and dip. The guys were all very cool and down-to-earth, and it was like I was just hanging around at a party similar to some of the events my older relatives took me to during my youth.
Watching a band perform in a smaller venue gives you a better experience. The sound quality creates better ambiance, and the band can be seen very well from most vantage points. After the show was over, the band signed my copy of their hit CD, and the drummer signed a drum cover for me. The experience was incredible, and I still enjoy smaller gigs over big, crowded concerts to this day.
