Six years later...

July 18, 2004. Exactly six years ago. My first concert.

That's when I saw Evanescence rock the Molson Amphitheatre. I still remember how I felt, watching this band, who I completely idolized at the time, in the flesh. And sounding pretty damn good.

I've always loved the feeling of being at a concert. There's the excitement of seeing a great band in person, playing songs that you've connected with. It adds so much meaning to the song, often strengthening the bond.

It's interesting to meet other fans of the band, to see if there's a "type." Are most of them young, old, female, male, straight, gay, hipster, goth? Where do you fit in this group? Some of my favourite concert memories are lining up hours before the show with the other diehard fans. I've met a lot of different people and found out about more bands that I've come to love–if a person like this band, they might like other bands of a similar style.

At the Evanescence show, I saw guitarist John LeCompt standing in the sound booth while Three Days Grace performed. That's when I decided I needed to meet the artists behind the music. Ever since then, I've always attempted to chat with bands after their concerts. Sometimes I'm successful, and sometimes I'm not–though their willingness to meet fans often changes my perception of the band. There have been times when I've left even more enthralled with the music than before the show, and at other times it has ruined my image.

I've spent so much time at concerts squishing into the front row, being pushed in every direction down this river of screaming fans. Now I've discovered the trick of standing by the sound booth to get the best possible sound. You lose a little of the experience but gain a lot in the sound quality.

Going to concerts is one of the best ways to spend an evening. Even though I've been to dozens since my first (and seen Evanescence three more times), they still feel surreal, like I can't quite believe I'm hearing the song–most of the time–live. And later, when I hear the recording, I'm immediately taken back to the show.

This isn't the most informative post in the world, but it's a small milestone I like to recognize and celebrate in my own way once a year.