Well, the video I’ve dreaded inevitably making for years is here. As of September 17th, 2023, Lowell, MA has lost it’s 1-Stage.
Not only is Lowell gone, but North Dartmouth, MA lost it’s 1-Stage on the SAME NIGHT as well. Making Munch’s Make Believe Band Stages in New England OFFICIALLY EXTINCT!
It is truly a sad week for CEC fans, as “Existing Stage Land” is no more. Not only that, I’m sure most of you in the community know the impact this store has had on my life for many years, almost two decades even. It just really hurts to see it go. I am glad it stuck around longer than I ever hoped it would, but the store will just never be the same.
My first visit to Lowell was around Fall 2006, my first memories of the stage include me running into the showroom to watch “These Words” from the September 2006 Show perform, which is why I picked that song to kick off the video.
While my visits were sporadic for a few years, I started visiting more frequently around the playing of the January 2009 Show. By this time I was aware of the fan community and I had already been obsessed with CEC for a year or two. This is the show I have the most memories of at this store, my most fond memory from that time is watching the characters performing “Overkill” and just being absolutely mesmerized by it, so picking the song for this video was a no brainer.
I decided to end the video off with “Best Friend” from the Summer 2007 Show. I knew I was going to do a nice little tribute at the end of the video and I felt this was the only song to do it with, considering my history with this location and how much it’s meant to me over the years, it only felt right.
R.I.P Lowell, MA
May 27th, 1993 - September 17th, 2023
Farewell Old Friend
Filmed 2/16/23