Trends Reviews and Recaps

MY MOMENT MUSICALE HAS PASSED

I am, at this very moment, holding the latest issue of Philadelphia Weekly, one of several "street papers" available in this city.

There are, in this particular issue, 13 -- count 'em, 13! -- pages of listings and advertisements (most of the latter quite small in size) for music concerts and night-club shows.

The vast majority of these listings and ads are for contemporary, rock, folk, and jazz performances, and most of those list and advertise perfo

mers, bands, and acts that I can't imagine even the most avid of scenesters could recognize by name.

I have just one question: Who goes to all these things?

I realize Philadelphia is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. and that, as such, a vibrant nightlife is to be expected -- in fact, welcomed. But are there really that many devoted music fans in this city? Is music really so central to the lives of so many (mostly young) people?

Some day I will have to decide -- or have someone tell me -- whether I've missed out on a great thing or on nothing at all.