Jeremy Singh
Reporter
With stunning lights, loud music and lots of teenagers, concerts create an exciting social environment. In order to see their favorite pop, rock or electronic acts, students often ride in on Friday and Saturday nights to one New York City’s many venues. Madison Square Garden alone brings Maroon Five, Passion Pit and Swedish House Mafia in the coming months.
Junior Michael Hartnett has gone to more than a few concerts for his weekend entertainment. “I really enjoyed Justice, Kaskade, Afrojack, R3hab, Sammy Adams and Pretty Lights, most of which were in New York City,” he said.
But why not stay in New Canaan on the weekends? For junior Henry Holbrook, New Canaan has lost some of its appeal as he’s grown up. “I like to go longboarding, make videos and hang out with my friends, but I do admit that as I have gotten older, New Canaan isn’t as fun as it used to be,” he said.
Michael agrees. “I will usually just hang out with friends or maybe go to a party, but it’s nothing like going to New York City and enjoying a concert,” he said. “New Canaan simply doesn’t have the size or the venue to host a concert of even like the ones in New York City.”
Not all students go to NYC for the music. Drinking alcohol before a concert, or “pre-gaming”, is common practice among both boys and girls.
Sophomore Greg* admits to drinking before going to see Sammy Adams. “I was with a couple of my good friends and we decided to drink before the concert,” he said. “I ended up drinking too much in a short amount of time and had a pretty bad experience at the concert. I went to have fun and ended up spending most of my time in the bathroom.”
While some will drink because they think it’s cool, others will drink simply to challenge authority. “Drinking itself isn’t an enjoyable experience, it’s just that fact that you can’t account for your actions that makes people at least think they are enjoying themselves,” freshman Sally* said.
Not all students see a problem in pre-gaming. Senior Bobby* says he drinks at
concerts because it enhances the experience. “When I drink, I drink a lot and I only drink to drink,” he said. “It’s not that I couldn’t have fun sober, it’s just that I am not twelve years old and can handle it. I am still able to make decisions and I am often a leader of my friends to provide the alcohol and get home safely.”
Sally also admits the huge pressure on students to drink. “I was away from my parents and one of my friends brought a water bottle full of vodka on the train,” she said. “I had only drank alcohol once before without my parents and was very uncomfortable about it. In the end I decided to pass and I still had a great time at the concert.”
For Bobby, drinking at a concert is a lot like drinking on a college campus. “Everyone is going to be drunk and no one has to drive home,” he said. “No one has ever gotten a DUI on the train back from Manhattan.”
Henry admits to being offered drugs at concerts but also chooses to stay on the safe side. “You get offered drugs from time to time, but there is never any pressure to partake,” he said. “Alcohol is more predominant, but usually venue owners are good at controlling it.”
Ultimately, Michael and Henry are among many who choose to stay sober in a place where most attendees are under the influence. “I just wouldn’t want to be impaired,” Michael said. “I’m fine with my friends doing it but I rather just be safe.”
*name has been changed
For a list of upcoming New York City concerts, click here.
