If you haven’t already started going to concerts for the bands you loved in the 90s, let this post be your SIGN to start the tradition.
Seriously. Look up those old favorites, check their tour schedules, and get yourself some tickets. You will not regret it.
We went to see Weezer at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and I had AN ABSOLUTE NIGHT. I loved this band so much growing up. I’m talking core memories, permanent rotation on my CD player, knowing every word of ” Kind of Love. And somehow, despite being such a huge fan, I had never actually made it to one of their concerts.
Until now.
Checkbox checked!
And honestly? It got me thinking about how much fun it is to revisit the music we grew up with. There’s something about hearing those songs live, surrounded by thousands of other people who know every word, that takes you right back. Except now you’re experiencing it with a little more perspective, a lot more disposable income (hopefully!), and probably a much greater appreciation for comfortable shoes.
Here are five reasons why I think everyone should start seeing the bands they grew up loving.
1. You get to reconnect with your inner child.
And mine was SCREAMING.
I actually found an old photo of myself from when I was around 16, wearing my eighth-grade volleyball shirt from OLMC and hanging out with one of my besties, Karina, who was equally obsessed with the band. Looking at that picture before the concert made the whole experience even more special.
There’s something so fun about remembering the person you were when those songs first became part of your life. The clothes, the friends, the memories, the ridiculous teenage excitement. And then getting to experience that same music decades later? It’s a full-circle moment.
2. Those songs mean something to you. Like, REALLY mean something.
You know how you can hear just a few notes of a song and immediately remember exactly where you were, who you were with, or what was happening in your life? That’s what happened to me.
These aren’t just songs you happen to like. They’re attached to memories, friendships, relationships, school dances, car rides, and different versions of yourself. Hearing them live brings all of that back in a way that listening to a playlist at home just can’t replicate.
I found myself singing along to my favorites and feeling like I had been transported back in time. It’s hard to explain, but if you know, you KNOW.
3. You have adult money now. USE IT.
Let’s be honest. When we were teenagers, most of us weren’t exactly in a position to buy concert tickets whenever we wanted. I couldn’t necessarily afford to see every band I loved back then. Sometimes it just wasn’t an option. And that’s okay. We all had different priorities and budgets.
But now? If there’s a band you’ve always wanted to see and you can afford to go, why not? What are you going to do? Waste all your money on taxes? Blah. Obviously, I’m not suggesting you go into debt for a concert, but there is something wonderful about finally being able to say yes to an experience you couldn’t afford when you were younger.
For me, seeing Weezer was one of those experiences. The timing was right, and I’m so glad we made it happen.
4. You get to make the mandatory “everyone here looks much older than me” joke.
This is a rite of passage, and I don’t make the rules. You walk into the stadium, take one look around, and immediately announce that everyone looks MUCH older than you.
Never mind that you’re all approximately the same age. Never mind that you just spent 20 minutes deciding which comfortable sneakers to wear. You are clearly the youngest person in the building. You HAVE to make this joke. It’s part of the experience.
5. You get to see the next generation take over.
One of my favorite parts of the night was seeing how many younger fans were there singing along to the music.
It’s pretty amazing to watch a band that was such a big part of your teenage years keep connecting with an entirely new generation. They know the songs, they’re having the time of their lives, and they’re creating their own memories with music that means something to you, too.
Of course, there was also the girl who spilled her freaking water on me. We won’t get into that. But seriously, I loved seeing the mix of generations in the crowd. Music doesn’t really have an expiration date, does it?
It’s Never Too Late to See Your Favorite 90s Bands Live
I’ve been making more of an effort to see bands from my past, and every time I do, I’m reminded of why it’s worth it. For years, I thought about the concerts I missed when I was younger. But here’s the thing: I don’t necessarily feel like I missed my opportunity. I feel like I got to experience them when the timing was right for me.
I literally couldn’t afford to go to some of these shows back then. Life was different. My priorities were different. And that’s okay. Now I can look up a tour schedule, grab tickets, make a night of it, and enjoy something that was once just a teenage dream.
Seeing Weezer at Barclays Center was one of those nights I’ll remember for a long time. Not because it was some huge bucket-list accomplishment, but because it was just plain FUN. And sometimes that’s reason enough to get out of the house.
So here’s my challenge: Think about the bands you had on repeat in high school or college. The ones you listened to with your friends, the ones whose lyrics you still know by heart, and the ones you always said you’d love to see live.
Go check their tour schedules.