What’s not to like when a baby boomer gets to listen and watch, LIVE, their favourite bands from the 70s and 80s! I lived that weekend in early September at The Soultown Festival. In fact, to quote modern word phrases, I was ‘vibing’ and ‘throwing shade’.
Life has a way of taking us down different paths, and sometimes, we find ourselves reconnecting with long-lost passions and interests. This is precisely what happened to me, at the age of 60 mind you, when I embarked on a nostalgic journey to a music festival after many years of being away from the vibrant world of live music and festivals.
The Long Hiatus
As a young adult, I was an avid music enthusiast. The ’70s and ’80s were my prime years of experiencing the magic of live music, attending concerts, and dancing to the tunes of my favorite bands. However, as life unfolded, responsibilities took center stage, and my connection to the live music scene slowly faded into the background. The thrill of music festivals and concerts became distant memories, buried beneath the sands of time. I still enjoyed listening to the tunes of my youth but relied on You Tube videos instead and an occasional concert e.g Billy Joel, Earth, Wind and Fire.
Preparing for the Festival
Getting ready for the festival was an adventure in itself. I dusted off my old festival gear – a bohemian-style outfit I hadn’t worn in decades, a comfortable pair of sneakers, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect my skin from the sun. Then I lost my nerve, dropped the hat too and dressed in something far more everyday and contemporary but kept the sneakers on. How I regretted this when I got to the venue.
The Festival Atmosphere
As I entered the festival grounds, I was overwhelmed by the vibrant atmosphere. The air was filled with the aroma of various food stalls, laughter, and the buzz of excitement. The crowd was a diverse mix of generations, which was a testament to the timeless appeal of music festivals.
Rediscovering the Magic
The moment the first notes of Boney M echoed through the speakers, I felt an electrifying surge of nostalgia and emotion. The music transported me back to my youth, bringing back vivid memories of dancing freely in open fields and singing along with my favorite songs. I watched as the stage lights danced in perfect harmony with the music, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that captivated the audience.
Reconnecting
One of the most unexpected joys of attending the festival was reconnecting with memories from my past. The 70s and 80s were when I was going through school as a teenager and, then, living a rather bohemian lifestyle for a short time before settling down into responsible adulthood. Dancing to ‘Odyssey’ and ‘Sister Sledge’ peeled away current times till I felt pared down to my younger self. It was an exhilarating experience.
Life Lessons
It’s never too late to go back in time and rekindle old passions. Dress like mutton if that is what takes your fancy. I wish I hadn’t become cowardly at the last minute. The whole experience reminded me to embrace new experiences and not let age be a barrier to trying something new.
Talking about new experiences I turned my hand to gaming for the first time ever. I crashed every car on the game and lost big time but, for a few minutes, I had stepped into an untried world and got a sense of the thrill of gaming.
The whole experience was a reminder that life is a beautiful tapestry of experiences, and there’s always room to add new threads of joy and excitement. The memories I created at the festival will forever hold a special place in my heart, serving as a testament to the enduring power of music and the limitless possibilities life has to offer, no matter our age.
