A tremor could be felt through Bloomington, Indiana. In the last year, Assembly Hall has hosted some 36 men's and women's basketball games, two high school graduations, and concerts by three of the country's best-attended musical acts of all time. Some have sold out, many have not. Tonight's show appears to belong to the former, as hundreds were seen being turned away at the door. In fact, come to think of it, few in Bloomington can remember any event prior to tonight where the arena didn't prove big enough to satisfy the relatively small population of the city, at least not since Bobby Knight was prowling the sidelines in a red sweater. But this is different.
This is big.
So as the thousands in their seats screamed, cheered, and chanted, a parade of warmup acts appeared in succession, all just hoping that some in the audience will remember that they once shared the stage with the headliner. Finally, with everyone---EVERYONE---in the arena standing, and the emotion reaching fever pitch; with the eardrum-shattering decibel level approaching that of the deck of an aircraft carrier, the lights dimmed, and the entrance video played on videoboards.
More cheering, more screaming, even, yes, some crying.
The screen goes black.
The din of the audience reaches another peak.
There he is! There he is! Some in the crowd can barely keep their composure as they point and snap pictures.
"Thank you!" roars the headliner. Then a laugh. "Thank you!" (A pause to let the audience cheer). "I love you, Indiana!"
Then, over the next ninety minutes, the star lectures the audience about withdrawing American troops from Iraq, reforming health care, ending the tax breaks that encourage employers to send jobs overseas...
Wait...huh?
The largest crowd ever shoehorned into Assembly Hall is going ballistic over politics?
Did they know this was what was going to happen?
And...they're not leaving? In fact, they seem even more delerious than an hour ago. More people are cheering a detailed environmental policy, than were present to applaud when Bruce Springsteen sung "Radio Nowhere" earlier this year. What is happening?
Where the ($%* are we?
Finally, with one last "greatest hit" to showcase, Barack Obama dives into a series of challenges to America, followed by the steady refrain of "yes we can."
The crowd reacts with glee, as this is one they all know and can sing along to.
"Yes we can!"
It was conventional wisdom that the days of activism in America were over; that the me-first generation was too interested in Britney Spears' haircuts to care that the country is being looted by corporate criminals.
("Yes we can!")
We were told that Americans under 30 only cared about "news" for the 12 minutes a day that Jon Stewart focused on current events.
("Yes we can!")
The idea that a candidate for political office could be the hottest ticket, anywhere in America...the idea that everyday people could be so enthralled with a politician for reasons other than scandal...The idea that national pride could still exist was supposed to be a myth; supposed to be impossible.
("Yes we can!")
One more time. The most sought-after performer in America today isn't a band, a singer, or even a standup comedian. The Rolling Stones, Alicia Keys, and Dane Cook could all schedule performances in the same city on the same night as Barack Obama. Would anyone be remotely surprised if Obama out-drew all of them? And even if he didn't, admit it, the possiblity crossed your mind.
Isn't that incredible?
Barack Obama, the first politician ever worthy of a listing on Pollstar.com ...
("Yes we can!")
As signs and flags wave, the candidate leaves the stage.
When fans leave a rock concert, many of them race home to download the band's songs, or order a CD.
As the fans are leaving the Barack concert, most of them make plans to volunteer at a campaign office, to register their neighbors to vote, or to simply start paying closer attention to the issues at the heart of America. More than anything, they leave feeling engaged, feeling uplifted, feeling like this is THEIR country, too, dammit! And they leave with a sense of urgency not simply to hope for some vague notion of "change", but to work for it...something, again, we were told this generation wouldn't do.
Yes we can.
This is big.
So as the thousands in their seats screamed, cheered, and chanted, a parade of warmup acts appeared in succession, all just hoping that some in the audience will remember that they once shared the stage with the headliner. Finally, with everyone---EVERYONE---in the arena standing, and the emotion reaching fever pitch; with the eardrum-shattering decibel level approaching that of the deck of an aircraft carrier, the lights dimmed, and the entrance video played on videoboards.
More cheering, more screaming, even, yes, some crying.
The screen goes black.
The din of the audience reaches another peak.
There he is! There he is! Some in the crowd can barely keep their composure as they point and snap pictures.
"Thank you!" roars the headliner. Then a laugh. "Thank you!" (A pause to let the audience cheer). "I love you, Indiana!"
Then, over the next ninety minutes, the star lectures the audience about withdrawing American troops from Iraq, reforming health care, ending the tax breaks that encourage employers to send jobs overseas...
Wait...huh?
The largest crowd ever shoehorned into Assembly Hall is going ballistic over politics?
Did they know this was what was going to happen?
And...they're not leaving? In fact, they seem even more delerious than an hour ago. More people are cheering a detailed environmental policy, than were present to applaud when Bruce Springsteen sung "Radio Nowhere" earlier this year. What is happening?
Where the ($%* are we?
Finally, with one last "greatest hit" to showcase, Barack Obama dives into a series of challenges to America, followed by the steady refrain of "yes we can."
The crowd reacts with glee, as this is one they all know and can sing along to.
"Yes we can!"
It was conventional wisdom that the days of activism in America were over; that the me-first generation was too interested in Britney Spears' haircuts to care that the country is being looted by corporate criminals.
("Yes we can!")
We were told that Americans under 30 only cared about "news" for the 12 minutes a day that Jon Stewart focused on current events.
("Yes we can!")
The idea that a candidate for political office could be the hottest ticket, anywhere in America...the idea that everyday people could be so enthralled with a politician for reasons other than scandal...The idea that national pride could still exist was supposed to be a myth; supposed to be impossible.
("Yes we can!")
One more time. The most sought-after performer in America today isn't a band, a singer, or even a standup comedian. The Rolling Stones, Alicia Keys, and Dane Cook could all schedule performances in the same city on the same night as Barack Obama. Would anyone be remotely surprised if Obama out-drew all of them? And even if he didn't, admit it, the possiblity crossed your mind.
Isn't that incredible?
Barack Obama, the first politician ever worthy of a listing on Pollstar.com ...
("Yes we can!")
As signs and flags wave, the candidate leaves the stage.
When fans leave a rock concert, many of them race home to download the band's songs, or order a CD.
As the fans are leaving the Barack concert, most of them make plans to volunteer at a campaign office, to register their neighbors to vote, or to simply start paying closer attention to the issues at the heart of America. More than anything, they leave feeling engaged, feeling uplifted, feeling like this is THEIR country, too, dammit! And they leave with a sense of urgency not simply to hope for some vague notion of "change", but to work for it...something, again, we were told this generation wouldn't do.
Yes we can.
1 comment:
Senator Obama is positively magnetic in person, even from a few hundred yards away. Although some (like Fox pundits) are dismissive of this quality, it contributes greatly to his ability to lead. What we need is not a man who lives in a soundproof room and talks to himself to get ideas, but someone who can both listen to alternative views and inspire action. Barack Obama will do both.
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