A special thanks to everyone who participated in my poll on my blog's instagram. In my poll I asked what people were missing more- concerts or bars- and almost 70% of you said concerts! So here we are! I'll be putting up another poll soon so stay on the look out for that. Anyways, here is my short story about experiencing a concert- something, I'm sure, people are missing right now!
Concerts- a short excerpt to the experiences I love.
You bought the tickets months ago. You’ve been anxiously awaiting this night since your first time you listening to one of their songs. You join your friends, wearing your best outfit (to catch the singers attention from the crowd, of course), and head to the venue.
Arriving you see a line has already formed to get in, you second guess your level of fandom as you pick out people in the crowd sporting more intensive fan based outfits and gear. Others stumble and lean on their friends, already liquored up and ready to spill their next drink all over the people around them. A few others shiver in the cold, their bodies barely covered from the wind swirling in the night air. One or two dance around, joking with their friends as they wait to show their ticket. Making your way up to the front, you prep yourself for the typical bag search, hiding any goods where they won't be found, and take out your ticket and ID so they are ready to be shown.
You enter the venue, being passed by others who run to secure a good standing spot or use the bathroom before lines pile up from the constant drinks flowing from the bar. You and your friends grab a drink and find an area to stand near each other. Marking this your meeting spot for the night if any one is to dance theirselves away or walk off for a break.
The opener begins and you feel yourself loosen up, maybe from the music, maybe from the alcohol, but probably a combination of both. The opener might not be why you bought your ticket for this concert but a good one sets the mood for one amazing night. After they’ve said their goodbyes and made their requests for the audiences further support you break with a few girl friends for a bathroom break and new drinks.
In the bathroom there is a mixture of moods. All types of girls. The one who has pre-gamed a little too hard and is now being coaxed to puke by her dearest friend. The group of girls in the handicap stall that treat the space like an opportunity to take candid embarrassing pictures of each other and gossip about the group they’re with. Others look annoyed, shuffling their bodies in impatience as they wait their turn. You and your friends make your way through this excruciating process and exit the bathroom to now repeat this same process at the bar. Except this time anything can go.
Guys may take their turn trying to talk to you as push your way to the front, others might offer to buy you one. Perhaps people try to squeeze their way in front of you or corner you out from having space at the bar counter but you're not bothered. Maybe you meet a drunk girl who favorites the same song as you and you end up exchanging snapchats for whatever reason (It's happened to me before). One thing is for sure, when you finally get up to the bar and scream your drink order in the bartender's ear, you realize the mistake you made- paying for a $14 vodka soda when you could’ve just snuck 5 shooters in for half the price. You reluctantly pay for the hastily made drink and push through the bodies of people leaning against you to return to your friend’s meeting spot.
The lights around the venue begin to dim on your way back, the sound of drums and guitars being played begin in a casual manner, while more and more people start to move forward towards the stage- making it difficult to locate your group. With a shotty cell signal you send out a group text and before you know it your tallest friend’s arm is waving high, visible above the sea of people. You follow it, pointing out to the disgruntled people around you that you’re just trying to reach your friends. They graciously let you pass and finally you find your way back to your safe spot.
The band walks out onto the stage as you take a sip from your drink. The crowd around you starts cheering and someone from behind bumps you, making you spill a bit of your drink. But at this point it doesn’t matter because nothing could ruin this moment. All that waiting was finally about to pay off for the next few hours of live music from your favorite band. They play all the songs you wanted to hear. You sing along with your friends, the strangers around you- even some security guards look like they’re enjoying it too. The singer dances around, touching the hands of people in the front rows, holding out the mic to test your knowledge of the lyrics. There isn’t a line, a drop, a melody you don’t know.
You're sweaty, your feet may hurt, and your face makeup sure as hell doesn’t look the same as when you went in but this is a night you won’t forget. Despite your phone dying after the 17th video- or you not taking any videos at all- you will remember this night forever.
…And on your way back from the concert, or at a party you attend, or when you’re alone in your room, you hear a song from a new artist, and the next day you listen to more of their songs and begin to fall in love with the music. After a week your friends are doing the same and before you know it you're booking your next concert for when this is all over…
What are some other memories or places you miss now more than ever? Do you miss things about concerts that I forgot to include? Got any other ideas for me to write about? Feel free to drop a comment or email me with an idea! I appreciate you taking the time to read my writing and supporting my journey.
XOXO Caroline
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