Jamie Lee Curtis Thinks We Should Normalize Making Concerts Happen In The Afternoon And I Don't Hate The Idea

CoS - Jamie Lee Curtis is stirring the hearts of early birds and sleepy people everywhere: Earlier this week, she made a call for artists to start playing matinee concerts, specifically naming U2, Coldplay, and Bruce Springsteen to lead the charge.

“I am gonna just say this now as a taunt and as a suggestion: U2, do a matinee,” she told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet at the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday. “Coldplay: do a matinee. What about a 12-noon concert, Coldplay? What about it?”

Continuing, the 64-year-old actress then turned her questioning to a fellow icon of the ‘80s: Bruce Springsteen, who not only doesn’t play matinees, but is known for behemoth, five-hour concert spectaculars. “Bruce Springsteen: do a fucking matinee!” she said. “You’re old! Why wouldn’t you let me come see you, Bruce Springsteen, in your glory days — pun intended — and do it at noon or 1 o’clock? 2 o’clock! 2 o’clock matinee! Theatre in New York, 2 o’clock! I will come and hear your five-hour concert, Bruce, at 2 o’clock, and I’m gonna be home and in bed by 7:30 [p.m.]”

At first glance reading this I wanted to knock it. 

“Olds being old”

But then I reminded myself that:

1- as much as I don’t want to admit it to myself, I’m an old now.

And

2- Doing stuff during the day time is in infinitely better than late at night

I don’t know if it was just a different thing back in the day, or if it comes with the young age, but late night used to be where it’s at.

Chicago’s bars go until 4am, (5am on Saturdays) (not all of them, ones with special late night licenses) and back in the day, we wouldn’t even begin getting ready to leave the house until 10 or 11 o’clock. 

Thinking back on that now makes me shiver in fear. That’s insanity. Hitting the bars, or clubs at midnight? Leaving them to head to a diner at 4:30am. Leaving the diner to go home when the sun is coming up and normal people are going to work? Or the gym? Or Church? Bonkers.

I used to not even go on djing until 1:30am. That was considered “peak time” at this club in Chicago Underground. 

Nowadays, if I’m up at a bar or club past midnight I’m yawning and checking my watch. Sad I know.

But I don’t think I’m alone. And not just with people my age. Younger people don’t seem to be going out and/or staying out as late anymore. 

And I think it’s because of a multitude of factors including healthier lifestyles and younger generations not drinking as much, but also in the appeal of doing stuff during daytime vs nighttime.

Which brings us back to Jamie Lee Curtis’ point.

Daytime concerts sound crazy until you think back to any festival you’ve ever been to and remember that those all start while the sun is high in the sky. And they’re great. 

Sipping a High Noon tequila seltzer while the suns on your face, girls walk by in sun dresses, and live music is playing is peak summertime. 

Granted, festival headliners don’t go on until the closing set, but there’s no reason we can’t normalize getting them on earlier in the day, spreading multiple huge acts throughout the day rather than stacking the lineup to build up towards the end back heavy.

So I love Jamie’s idea.

And agree. Catching Coldplay rip a 1pm set, ducking out around 3, you still have your whole day ahead of you. Like a noon football game. And so many other things that are better during daytime hours than at night.

For example-

Sports - baseball, and football are both infinitely better played during the day in the sun vs. at night under the lights. 

Drinking - day drinking is so much better than night drinking it's not even funny. Tie one on during the day, slam some grease trap food for dinner, beat the hangover, and go to bed nicely at a normal hour. Your next day's not fucked and you still got your partying in. Sunday day drinking beats everything.

Sex - there's a reason it's called an "afternoon delight". Because it's delightful. Morning sex is also in a league of its own. Gets your day off on the right foot, puts a little pep in your step, and gets the poison out of your body enabling you to have a clear-headed and productive day.

Movies - nothing, and I mean nothing, beats a weekday matinee. You have the theatre to yourself. Tickets are like $5. Popcorn and snacks are usually discounted. It’s fucking great.

Driving - driving at night sucks.

Those are just some of the things. Now let's add concerts to the list like Jamie suggested.