That One Time I Got To Be 8 Again

I’ve got something to tell you! I’ve got news for you! There was no other way this blog would open. On the 5th of February, I attended the #SoPop concert in Auckland. What is So Pop, you may ask? It was the ultimate 90s throwback concert featuring - Vengaboys, Aqua, Lou Bega, Eiffel 65, B*Witched, Blue, 2 Unlimited and more.

THE VENGABOYS TAKE THE STAGE

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I’m writing this blog, because I have been struggling to truly express myself and it’s coming out in ways, that can be perceived as well not normal. Yet somehow I find that, typing words on a screen can do a better job of sharing my emotions than the words I speak can ever will, so here it goes.

I grew up in the Middle East in the 90s. The biggest bands in the Middle East at the time, from the line-up, were Aqua, Vengaboys, Blue and Eiffel 65. I had heard of some of the others but not all of them, but now that’s changed. Why am I struggling to express myself? Well, mostly because, my behaviour comes out as star struck and obsessive, but I assure you it genuinely isn’t.

LOU BEGA

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Never in a million years, did I ever think I’d see these bands live growing up. In fact, at the time, this wasn’t even a thought. They were just people I saw on the TV. But to have the chance after 20 years was something out of the unexpected. I got to see the bands, that were my heroes. They helped me cope with the skeletons that were buried in my closet.

I could listen to their music and just escape the harsh reality, that I was facing as a child. No, I’m not comparing my situation to yours, but just stating the facts. I can’t tell you how many nights there were, when my parents would put the Vengaboys cassette into the music system and I’d fall asleep to it. Or the fights in the car with my brother, over the Aqua and Backstreet Boys cassettes.

AQUA UP NEXT

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So, when the concert tour was announced, I genuinely felt like I could go back in time when things were much simpler. When I didn’t have to worry about a lot of things and I suppose when I didn’t understand a lot of things.

I bought tickets to be right up at the front and well got to see everyone from up close. As the night went on, the musicians got more energetic and started coming towards the crowd. So, yes, Lene, the lead singer of Aqua came up to us and so did Rene.

LENE COMES OUT TO THE CROWD

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If this has taught me anything, it is, cherish these experiences, because you never know if it will ever happen again.

Over time, my excitement about the So Pop experience will calm down, and it will be like nothing ever happened. But until then, you’re stuck with the perfectly imperfect me and if you don’t like who that is, well then see you later.

Until next time,

MiliG