8:00pm: The line to get into the Hammerstein Ballroom for Robert Plant stretches from 8th Avenue to 9th Avenue. More than half of the people are wearing Led Zeppelin T-Shirts. I never understood wearing a band shirt to see the band. Like do you feel like you need to prove you’re a fan? You’re already at the concert sir. I really don't understand the people who go to concerts or festivals buy t-shirts and then immediately wear them. Did you not bring enough clothes to wear? I guess it’s better than wearing a different band’s t-shirt to a show though.

Caitlin & I are some of the only people in line below the age of 40 besides actual children there with their parents. Considering how many of my friends listen to Led Zeppelin, I am very surprised. Maybe it’s because it’s only Robert Plant and not Led Zepellin?* Or because young people are cheap and the tickets were $65. The Hammerstein is an odd venue, the GA floor portion is not a huge area but the ceiling is massively high. It’s not a bad venue but not my favorite.

I mainly deducted 100 points because they threw away my gum when I entered. Since when is gum forbidden? I didn't know I had to hide my gum on the way in like it was a flask. You just cost me $1.50 sir! How will my breath be fresh for Robert?

This is man who looks like he appreciates some fresh breath

9:00pm: Robert Plant goes on. He’s pretty amazing. All the musicians by his side are silver foxes. Robert Plant’s voice sounds really amazing.

He doesn’t sound much different than on the original Led Zeppelin albums. You would think 40 years of being in a band and the crazy 70s rock star lifestyle would have taken a harder toll, but I guess he took care of himself. Maybe he drinks tea and neti pots? Why do Rolling Stone interviewers never ask anyone if they neti pot? These are things people want to know! The crowd has so much energy especially during “Whole Lotta Love”.

A sixty-year-old woman with a handmade crochet vest and long silver braids is dancing up a storm next to me with her braided hair man. They are adorable. I want to be her when I grow up.

11:00pm: After the concert Caitlin and I go to the Duane Reade across from the venue. We need a quick Redbull and a snack. Everyone else from the concert is buying beer. Let me tell you the Duane Reade by Penn Station is really popping on a Friday at 11pm. Could this be my new party place?

12:00am:We head to the Lower East Side to go to the Experimental Cocktail Club to meet up with my friend Kiran. Like many others in this neighborhood, this is an upscale speak-easy cocktail club. It’s beautifully decorated with low, bucket style, art deco chairs and oriental wallpaper.

Source: http://www.grandlifehotels.com/listing/experimental-cocktail-club/ — Source: http://www.grandlifehotels.com/listing/experimental-cocktail-club/

They actually had a pretty decent DJ playing too- playing some good LCD Soundsystem. However, the cocktails are pretty terrible and at $15 a pop that’s pretty disappointing. Now I will pay $15 for a great strong drink every once in a while but it better be delicious. I feel like I go to these places in the LES and the East Village all the time where the décor is beautiful but the drinks are terrible. Maybe because a large number of people who go out in this neighborhood are recent transplants to the city and they are more interested in looking interesting than actually being enjoyable. The drinks are just too complicated with too many weird ingredients that I think are supposed to make them unique but just make them super gross. Don’t they have someone taste test these who taste buds aren’t dead from cigarettes and Fernet?

Also when did everyone become obsessed with pisco and mezcal? I have never had pisco alone so I don’t know if it tastes gross or if all the cocktails people make with it are just disgusting. And don’t get me started on mezcal. Why do I want my tequila to taste like BBQ? I’ll just order some expensive bourbon neat next time at least I know what I’m paying for then.

2:00am: We take the J train to Silent Barn, independent artists collective/event space in Bushwick, my friend Arias is working the door there. Silent Barn consists of an outdoor courtyard with picnic tables and a small metal trailer, and an indoor room with a small stage. They have don't serve hard liquor but they cheap wine, beer & soju, my wine was $5. They also serve late night pesto pasta. We arrived late, so sadly we are only able to catch the end of the main act, PWR BTTM, A queer garage-punk band. The lead singer was sweating buckets in a sequin ball gown on the small stage as people danced wildly in the hot poorly ventilated room.

They ended the show with a song with the chorus “all I want to eat is carbs.” I think this may be my new favorite band.

*I feel like this is only quasi-legitimate reason though because Led Zeppelin as a unit doesn't exist anymore. Jimmy Page hasn't done a live show in the US since 2011 and there hasn't been a Led Zeppelin reunion show since 2007 and that was in London. So I would say in general for old older musicians just see who you see when you can see them because all these dudes are quite old so maybe being a purist waiting for the reunion tour isn't your best option?