At the age of 18, I had the thrilling opportunity to attend a concert featuring the legendary bands Journey and Def Leppard during their 2018 tour. My excitement, however, took an unexpected turn when I found myself dozing off amidst the vibrant rock melodies that filled the air.
Growing up with a dad who embraced the heavy sounds of Metallica and a mom who adored U2, I was steeped in a rich musical background from a young age. Naturally, it felt like a no-brainer to join my parents for this iconic concert. My concert history included witnessing Def Leppard alongside KISS in 2014 and enjoying Foreigner live in 2017, marking this as yet another thrilling chapter in my classic rock adventures. Nevertheless, my attention began to wane during the show—a rare occurrence for me.
My Unintentional Nap During Def Leppard’s Performance
A Surprise Serenade
You might think a rock concert, especially one headlined by Def Leppard, would keep anyone wide awake. However, let me clarify: the responsibility for my unexpected slumber wasn’t entirely on the band. At 18, I was balancing finals preparation as a senior in high school with the frenetic demands of competitive dance schedules, all while attending classes on the day of the concert. By the time Def Leppard took the stage, the combination of a school night and the evening’s preceding activities had me feeling increasingly drowsy.
Their slower tracks played like gentle serenades, lulling me into a state of relaxation. I distinctly recall moments with my chin resting on my hand as I battled the urge to succumb to sleep. It wasn’t that I was bored; rather, their music embraced me so smoothly that I could hardly resist peaceful oblivion.
The Soothing Nature of Def Leppard’s Ballads
A Lullaby Amidst Rock Anthems
While Def Leppard is famous for their rock anthems like “Pour Some Sugar on Me”and “Photograph,”it’s their ballads that genuinely caught me off guard. It was during these softer moments that I found myself drifting into dreamland. In truth, I can’t recall whether I experienced the same fate during Journey’s ballads, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me.
All I know is that Def Leppard’s soothing tunes crept in and magically transformed the concert into my personal nap time. As I peacefully snoozed while their iconic sounds echoed around me, I can only imagine the thoughts racing through my parents’ minds, witnessing a live rock show while I dozed off. They likely realized this wouldn’t be the last time my affinity for sleep interrupted a concert experience.
This Wasn’t My First Concert Nap
Degenerated into a Nap at My First Concert
Though the specifics are hazy, my first concert experience, possibly around 2004 or 2005, involved the artist Jeremy Camp, and I was about 4 or 5 years old. Unsurprisingly, I don’t remember much about that evening, but a vivid memory remains of drifting off in the crowd and waking up in the car afterward. My parents were often amused, sharing stories about how I managed to stay asleep throughout such an exciting event.
As I’ve grown older, I know that I can stay alert for modern pop icons like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, thanks to the electric atmosphere and dancing alongside my sister. However, classic rock concerts evoke a sense of nostalgia that makes me feel connected to the past, even if the songs are rooted in decades long before my time. Ultimately, I can’t help but feel embarrassed about dozing off at the Def Leppard concert—it certainly felt like a missed opportunity for a rocking good time.