Allow me to blog this topic again. Always…I am always self-justifying my pop music addiction (affliction?). Usually to myself, not even to the outside world. Perhaps people don’t “get” it, as they scroll past my Facebook updates and I have posted another Gaga video, and while I take the occasional “ew that is crap” comment people are generally nonplussed and sometimes, when kindred spirits, supportive.

I spent my teenage years loving pretty “serious” music as far as teenagers go. I was into the singer-songwriters at a young age so I was pondering things like Sunny burning her house down and divorce when you’re 36 with kids to take care of and no job skills. That’s hefty. Because of that I largely ignored the boy bands and bubblegum pop of the late 90’s and early 2000’s (but I did love me some Backstreet Boys…just that one song).

So one would think a logical progression would have me listening to Bach concertos and going to the opera if age means maturity. Not the case.

I went to see Demi Lovato last night in Dallas and it was a great show. I stayed with some friends but I went alone because um…no one I know likes Demi Lovato that much. I did list her album in my Top Albums of 2013 post, so I was pretty excited.

It was, as expected, a great show. Fifth Harmony opened for the the opener, meaning they did 5 songs, one of them being a Destiny’s Child cover. I was thrilled because I was one of the 12% of people in the venue old enough to remember when Independent Women Pt. 1 came out (THROW YOUR HANDS UP AT ME). There were 5 members of Fifth Harmony (clever), and they tried. They were so young. Part of me wanted to root for them and part of me thought perhaps 5 unsure teenagers singing to a backing track reeked of exploitation. I am pretty sure the minds behind this group are all old dudes in suits, but hey. We need the next generation of pop star from somewhere. At this juncture I felt a little unsure of what I had gotten myself into and considered slinking out to the parking lot to find something more grown up to do, like apply for a job at HR Block or whatever serious people do at 8:30 at night.

My fears were assuaged the minute Little Mix took the stage. Also singing to pre-recorded tracks, I immediately thought “here we go again,” except the four members of this British group (if you mixed Fifth Harmony and Little Mix together and divided by 2 and added a little more glitter you would get the Spice Girls) look way more seasoned (I don’t mean “old” but yes ok, they were older) and at home on stage. They opened with Salute and I was hooked. It was practiced, the harmonies were tight, and I didn’t feel like I was participating in some TLC show called “So Your Kid Wants To Be A Pop Star.” Little Mix also dipped into cover land, interestingly throwing out another Destiny’s Child cover as well as TLC’s “No Scrubs.” Again, shout out to the 90’s kids.

Demi took the stage to about 5000 screaming teenage girls going nuts which again, I had wondered if I might want to shrivel up and stuff a $40 concert t-shirt in my ears to dull the roar, but…it was actually thrilling. Being in a room full of enthusiasm can really lift a spirit. That and I looked over and my two (apparently of age) seatmates to the left were each drinking a 40 of Michelob and I knew I was going to be ok.

Demi started with one of her radio hits (of course), “Heart Attack” and having a room full of people singing along at the top of their lungs provides a rush for anyone in it. Demi had a full band but actually smaller than I expected – drummer, bassist, keyboardist, guitarist, and two background singers. I think I was expecting Lady Gaga proportions, which this show was not. Which was fine. We heard the hits – “Skyscraper”, “Neon Lights”, and “Give Your Heart a Break”. We heard some album cuts. She told us about her battles with eating disorders-cocaine-alcohol-cutting (good grief bless her) and that we can survive anything. Everything moved seamlessly from one to the next and before I knew it, the show was done.

It felt great to scream in a room full of people. It felt awesome to sing along like I do in the car except be watching it happen live. It felt great to drive to my friends’ house and go to bed. Pop concerts in your 30’s…I think I’ll keep doing it. Next up on the bucket wish list…Ke$ha.