I took my daughter to her first metal gig the other day. We went to see a band called Skunk Anansie. Alternative and metal music were the bread and butter of my teenage years. I styled my whole self around it and I LOVED this band. I remember idolising the singer, Skin. She was a feisty, edgy beacon of energy with a wicked sense of humour and in the 25+ years since I last saw them perform that hasn’t changed. I watched in delight as her presence lit up the stage and the venue.
A few songs in and the mosh pit was in full flow: a crowd of people moving in a circle, pushing and shoving, co-ordinated chaos. Once upon a time I was in it, now I gaze at it wondering how I ever dared. The singer pointed to the pit:
‘There’s a circle’ she said, ‘I want to get to it.’
She hopped off the stage and into the throng of people, followed by a frantic security detail, and began to move with the crowd as she sang. She did this a couple of times during the gig. The band never stopped enjoying themselves, exchanging glances with each other, giving each song their all as the crowd soaked it up and gave their adoration in return.
It occurs to me that whatever form art takes, it creates a circle. By making and sharing art with the world, the artist is making a gift to anyone who cares to receive it. Their gift carries energy, which passes to the recipients. They take that energy, magnify it and give it back to the artist with (hopefully) gratitude for having received something so valuable. What I saw at Rock City that evening was a circle of energy: given, received and returned; given, received and returned.
It always takes me a while to calm down after a gig and my daughter is just the same. We came away chatting, animated, newly in love with the performers and the joys of the evening. Wasn’t the drummer amazing? Epic guitar solo! I felt that bass vibrate through my whole body, and that singer…!
Watching Skin in the circle, watching the crowd receive her gifts and pay her back one hundred-fold, I marvelled at the energy exchange in the room: barriers down, hearts open, a collective of humanity unified, even if just for a few moments. I watched my daughter in wonder as she discovered songs that were the anthem to my adolescence. As she pogoed away to the beat, I realised my own personal journey with this band has come full circle, but hers is just beginning. How exciting.
A few of my other favourite circles:
The family circle. Love you guys.
The friendship circle. Love you too.
The shamanic circle. Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it.
The Circle of Life. Say what you like about Disney, the Lion King nailed it with this one.
Doughnuts. A bit like cake, but in a circular form.
I’ll leave you with the lyrics to Bob Dylan’s song Eternal Circle. Whilst more of a sorrowful take on the giving and receiving between a performer and a member of the audience, I appreciate the imagery created by his well-crafted words. Bob’s gift to us, (thank you Bob) I hope you enjoy it.
Eternal Circle
Written by: Bob Dylan
I sang the song slowly
As she stood in the shadows
She stepped to the light
As my silver strings spun
She called with her eyes
To the tune I’s a-playin’
But the song it was long
And I’d only begun
Through a bullet of light
Her face was reflectin’
The fast fading words
That rolled from my tongue
With a long-distance look
Her eyes was on fire
But the song it was long
And there was more to be sung
My eyes danced a circle
Across her clear outline
With her head tilted sideways
She called me again
As the tune drifted out
She breathed hard through the echo
But the song it was long
And it was far to the end
I glanced at my guitar
And played it pretendin’
That of all the eyes out there
I could see none
As her thoughts pounded hard
Like the pierce of an arrow
But the song it was long
And it had to get done
As the tune finally folded
I laid down the guitar
Then looked for the girl
Who’d stayed for so long
But her shadow was missin’
For all of my searchin’
So I picked up my guitar
And began the next song
Copyright © 1963, 1964 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1991, 1992 by Special Rider Music
What a lovely story. Circles are for those who really know about life and living. You obviously know. How rare for me to hear a new Bob Dylan song I have never heard before. Thank you for a great post and the song. To complete the circle I give you a lovely poem that is one of my favorites.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gC3cB4AH7SrHGvpj7
Thanks to Wells of Goodness for sending me here. Most wells are all in a circle ;o))
peace and love
What a fabulous experience to share with your daughter!
My youngest daughter and I both love Shania Twain -- I took her to her first live concert when she was 13 and recently, 25 years later, we went again to listen and watch and soak up Shania's music and presence.
So wonderful to share what moved us, back then, as we continue the circle of love we share with our daughters.