OK - here's the response from the oldest board member @ 41 (as far as I know):
It all depends how you approach life the older you get. I went to a ton of concerts as a teenage, although I didn't buy many albums due to $$. Then, marriage/kids/house etc - it took my focus away. I've always listened to music, ALWAYS, but I didn't go to concerts, and didn't buy much. Recently - really at the beginning of this year, I started going to concerts again.
I bet I was one of the oldest at the Enslaved concert! Part of my concert going is due to my looks (I look younger than my age) - when I started going again - I felt a little uncomfortable. I was at a radio-station sponsored concert earlier this year [Kittie, Static-X, Ultraspank and a couple of others] - I was just sitting in my seat, and this older guy was walking up the aisle. This totally wacked out kid practically attacked this guy just because of his age - thank goodness his three other friends pulled him away. When I go - I go in stealth mode. I don't make eye contact - it's just not worth it. I'm there for the music - but it seems some concert goers have other reasons to be there. But that doesn't stop me anymore - it's my life, I like music, and I'll go!
For me personally - my answer to your getting older and music is this: I just found Opeth this year, and went out and got all CD's (have $$ now). I downlaod music - I have stereos at work, in the bedroom, main room, basement - have great speakers for my computer - all to listen to music. And honestly - I know of NO people in my generation (other than those on the internet) that are over 40, and looking for new metal music. I have been listening to a radio show on Sunday nights which plays metal since 1984. I listen to the metal station that my cable company provides. I actively looks for new music. And to date, the older I get, the heavier the music needs to be. My tastes are broad - I am a metalhead, but I listewn to other music (on occassion). There are many non-metal songs that are good. I don't know why people who say they are metalheads are afraid to admit they listen to other stuff - even classical. I don't think it takes away from their metal stature.
I have always had a tendency to have more in common with 20ish people than people my age. If anybody tells me I'm grown up - I'll kick their ass. I can be mature without trying to prove it.
So, hopefully you'll keep an open mind as you get older, and do everything in your power not to turn into your parents.
