For me, it was originally all about the band, specifically Stevie & Lindsey. And even though every show is basically the same, something always happens to make it unique. As time went on, it was still about the band for me, but also about traveling and hanging out with people I rarely got to see.... or people I met for the first time. Atlanta (the Chastain show) was an especially great fan gathering and probably one of my fave shows because of it. The last show I went to in Camden, NJ, was also a great show because of all the diehards up front. I had a ball with everyone. We were also recognized personally by Lindsey since it was the next to the last show. It was really special.

Like what? Are we just talking about little things and intangibles? Lindsey said two words differently in one of his speeches? Stevie sang a line or two with a different inflection?

I'm having a hard time telling how serious some people are being in their expressions of their Lindsey or Stevie worship. Honestly, I'm finding some of it a little bit frightening.

What?
 

No, not necessarily, it doesn't. And I certainly didn't single you out; I said "some people." I don't recall who exactly said what, and I don't want to wade through every post again, but a few responses were really almost frightening in their level of fanboy/girl worship. (By the way, no need to get hung up on semantics; the word "worship" has both religious and secular connotations.)

Right
 

no need to clarify on your part because i'm not offended, but i'm rather sure that i'm 'some people' in this situation. what i probably should have included in my post is that i identify some songs so greatly with one special person or one special moment in time, i know i'm not alone in that. just seeing some of those songs performed live, be it FM or whoever, can be a really heavy thing. the first time i got 'silver springs' live was such a huge thing, and i knew even from waaay far away in my crap seats that it was special.

enter a collegiate thesis and a crumbling relationship and... yeah, too much all at once... i'm finished with that though, i don't feel the need to justify myself or my post to you.

and as for fanboy/fangirl worship, i would advise treading lightly on that issue. a lot of us come to this board because it gives us a chance to connect with other fans, ledgies have devleoped a very real 'community' here! so just as we come here to connect with fans, some go to shows to connect with the band. i have no problem with people who drop cash to see FM (or anyone) several times on a tour. if people aren't feeding their kids or paying their electric bills in order to get to that extra show, well, i'll take issue with that. otherwise, to each his own.

and just for the record, your (Jyqm) level of fanboy/fangirl judgement is frightening... even more so because you're on the Ledge for *F*sake!

multiple shows....
 

I saw many shows on the SYW tour as I have on most tours. The first time I saw Stevie live was on the Wild Heart tour and I have been going strong ever since. I connect with their music like no other artist and seeing them live is very very enjoyable to me. It does not get old or boring because even though the songs are the same night after night, I still find new interesting things to enjoy from each show. I flew to Atlanta to see the show in May of 04, who knew that would be the last time I would get to see Silver Springs? Each and every show was different and unique to me. Stevie was sick in Holmdel and Lindsey was adorable to us. In Jones Beach, Stevie and Lindsey were on FIRE and it rained on all of us, including the band. I have special memories from each show, some more so than others.
I have spent alot of money but for me, it is worth it. I am afraid that there are not many more times to see them live before they semi retire. This is my one vice, the one thing I spend money on that is a luxury. The husband doesn't get it and doesnt always like it but he knows it makes me happy. He sees how excited I am and how much comfort their music brings me. He knows how long I have loved Stevie and how personal certain songs are to events in my life...so he encourages me to see them whenever I want. Call it scary if you want but I am not hurting anyone...just my own bank account. I don't stalk the band members at their hotels because I feel it is inappropriate. I take what they give me onstage and it inspires me in ways I cannot explain. Maybe it is scary and over the top but I can think of many other things more worthy of that description. Seeing a dozen Mac shows hardly qualifies as scary....it is my money, my hobby and my life. If no one else "gets it" that is ok, because I do.

If I had the money, I'd be like a FM fan I know who trails them around the country. I love them that much. I don't care that the set list is the same that much-of course I'd like some variation-but I really go to the show to see them. I can hear the music at home after all. I love watching the Lindsey Stevie interaction, and Mick making faces, and John playing. I missed seeing Chris last time-she adds such class to the show.

If I could meet any one of them in person (but Lindsey especially) it would be
a life's dream come true...I dream about meeting them..I know, I am obsessed :)

I saw them twice in London in Nov/Dec 03.

I didn't particularly enjoy the first time but went again because I believed a rumour I read that Christine would be making an appearance!

If Chris had been with them I would have gone to more shows because living in England you always get the feeling that this might be the last time and you want to make the most of it.

I think the same lines that they spout between songs gets boring after a while but most times there are subtle differences in the way they do the songs so that is interesting.

Gail

I agree. For me it started out being only about the music and the band, but it became about the entire experience--the travel, hanging out with friends, seeing new places, taking a break from real life for just a little while. I started out as a Deadhead, so I guess it seemed natural to me to see my favorite band as many times as I could afford. I love the music enough that it never became boring to me, even though I wished for a changeup now and then . I apologize for forgetting who made this point earlier, but I also found it fun to notice the little things that were different each night--who was on and who wasn't, Stevie changing up her outfit just a bit, maybe getting to have a brief interaction with Lindsey... Damn, SYW was fun.
Oh, and I second what Kelly said too--we're not hurting anyone but our own bank accounts. :)

It was a different experience every time for me, different seats..different interactions with the band....and believe me we are VERY serious in our "worship" lol...it's a great time, plenty of ppl spending hundreds of dollars or thousands on football and other sports events, go to multiple game..but that's NORMAL? I think it's no different than that..

Chris

Well, it's significantly different just in the fact that a sporting event is a completely different game each time, but I certainly never claimed that spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on sports tickets was "normal."

Yes, god forbid.

So, you ask people to talk about why they go to a lot of shows, then judge them and act condescending when they answer you honestly. Nice.