The Gaslight Anthem Live: Enchanted By The Most Important Band Of My Generation

Despite the band’s best efforts, one can’t help but be distracted by the crowd. That might sound like a criticism; The Gaslight Anthem don’t have a wild, wonderful laser show awing us until we’re numb. There are no pyrotechnics, no fancy screen with an arty film playing in the background. There’s certainly no pr**k with a f**king glowing mouse mask on his head. No, unlike the majority of mainstream acts my generation have come to worship, the Gaslight Anthem feel no need to use every gimmick under the sun. There’s no cynicism, no oh-so clever self-reflexive irony. It’s not that they’re screaming for our attention – it’s that their muscular riffs and soulful words leave us with no choice.

And that’s what makes The Gaslight Anthem such an inclusive band. There is nothing to dislike. Shorn of any potentially alienated costume, devoid of costume and, in the shape of Brian Fallon such a warm and modest front man, Gaslight Anthem make themselves accessible to all. As someone usually into hardcore, metal and punk, that is usually far from what I’m looking for in my favourite bands. Yet last night, I shared my favourite songs – from the rousing “’Great Expectations” to the somber “National Anthem” with teary bald men twice my age, a teenage girl sporting a “I fancy the lead singer” t-shirt, countless checked shirts and a goon in a suit who danced as if he was about ten pints in at his daughter’s wedding.

A Gaslight Anthem gig is a communal experience – a collective cry for times gone by. For an age when rock music still meant something. When it still twanged away at our innermost longings. When The Clash made masses believe in rebellion. When Springsteen brought a voice to a world that had never had one before. And when Bob Dylan proved it was possible to touch millions of souls with just a guitar and gravelly voice. I was born too late for those bands. I don’t have them to call my own. Instead I have the Gaslight Anthem.

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/music/the-gaslight-anthem-live-enchanted-by-the-most-important-band-of-my-generation/

Good to see the band has this affect on other people. Bands like TGA make me sit back and think..."People can say this generation's music sucks, but there are a lot of great bands and artists im thankful i can listen to, see and enjoy." You just have to look through a lot of sh*t before you find the hidden little gems of today's music.

At every show I have been to, I am usually one of the older attendees at 39. Yet, Tuesday I exchanged playlists and favorite bands with a young lady less than half my age and a young man about the same age. Nobody cared that we were from completely different walks of life and generations, we just love good music. That's not to say we all like the same music, but we were all there with a purpose and a love.