There will be moments, when you're looking at a musician, maybe on stage, during a performance, maybe just before they come off stage; they're standing there, they're cool, they're dressed to the nines: clothes, hair, makeup, like you wouldn't wear in ordinary life. Just for a second, you'll be pulled out of the magic they've created. The rockstar look will become carefully combed hair and costumes. The Look will suddenly become... high school drama makeup. You'll see them go through a well-rehearsed sequence. You'll see that nervous smile, and realise they're up on stage. Performing. For an expectant audience. You'll see the look of relief in their eyes as they look briefly at each other towards the end: the show is coming to an end, they've done a good performance. They're really hungry now. They can go off stage soon and try to carefully eat around the remnants of their lipstick and face glitter.
In that moment, they're the school drama production cast from eighth grade. They're those kids, and they made it their whole life. They're living that adrenaline every night. And the feeling is so strange: you're 15 again, you know that feeling, and even though you're not there, even though you're in the crowd, trying to have a fun night off, suddenly you know how they feel. And you feel unreasonably proud of them.
And then the moment is gone. They're cool, they're icons, they're rock gods again.
They're just the play's cast, going out there and playing a part, every night.
Am I the only one who's been thinking that? Sometimes I'll see photos, videos, and it just hits me.