I Wish More Gigs Ended At 10PM Because My Bed Is Calling Me (And My Back Is Killing Me)

My knees and back aren’t what they used to be, and my bed is calling: and god, I wish more gigs wrapped up at 10PM.

The last fortnight has seen a number of tours hit Australia celebrating iconic album and band anniversaries: The Used are on a massive run for three albums, The Dillinger Escape Plan is taking it back with Calculating Infinity. The common denominator here, other than a bunch of alternative and heavy music fans hitting often weeknight venues in droves? The gigs are wrapped up and in the bag not far after 10pm. And my god, is it a luxury I didn’t know I was craving.

Most live shows I’ve been to in recent years (and honestly, since I started attending gigs centuries ago) before these were done and dusted around 11pm. And look, it’s not that late of a wrap-up time. It gives folks chance to get to the venue after work, see some amazing support acts, and take in the headline set that runs for maybe 90 minutes to two hours. However, for those of us who are becoming to a bit too well-acquainted with an earlier bedtime that their younger selves might’ve scoffed at, it’s a rough cop.

After fighting with the crowd to get out, and then either driving, competing to get an Uber, or dealing with the horrors of a late weeknight public transport ride home, you’re looking at a midnight return to your home at best, if you’re not lucky enough to live close to the venue. Include the time it takes to wind down once you’re home – maybe throw in a bit of doomscrolling online if you’re a glutton for punishment – and hell, you’re probably not sleeping til 1am. When there’s work the next day, that late bedtime is a killer.

Walking out of The Dillinger Escape Plan’s gig, driving home and being ready to sleep before 11pm even hit was like a breath of fresh air. Same goes for The Used. It’s a luxury I probably won’t be seeing much of at other gigs – understandably it’s not the norm, but I truly wish it was. It makes those ‘school night’ shows all the more enjoyable knowing I have that little bit more time to rest off the inevitable back pain and feel a bit less like death warmed up the next day.

Will we ever see more shows finish up early? Maybe not, but a sleepy girl can dream.