Finally, after years of desire and many plans falling through, I attended my first musical festival: Music Midtown 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Although the line up, in my opinion, was less impressive than prior years, I was thrilled to finally have my festival experience with some of my best friends.
My friends warned me of bad weather. Of course I checked the weather app and there were chances of rain on Sunday, but I just knew in my heart that it would be perfect sunshine weather.
I was wrong.
It rained. It poured. Everyone was drenched. We all looked as if we went swimming. A lot of people couldn't handle the rain and ditched. We suffered through the rain with our pruney fingers and raccoon eyes to make the best of it.
Right as the weather is beginning to clear and things are looking up...
*over the loud speaker* Everyone please evacuate to the nearest exit. Please remain calm.
We stood there for a second with confused looks on our faces. And these were the thoughts running through my head:
1. Ya'll this band is playing a joke on us. How funny!
Don't panic. No one actually move, it's just a joke the band is doing to see how many
people they can fool. Look at all these idiots running. We will get
front row! Good one, James Bay!
2. Why would they even be evacuating us?
Rain isn't enough reason to evacuate. I mean seriously, it was raining so much harder during Melanie Martinez. I think I've actually dried off since then. It's practically clear now. And who cares if it downpours again? I'm already wet and I can dance in the rain. It is really no big deal at this point. This is definitely a joke.
3. Why are security officers yelling at people to actually evacuate?
Is this real? Do we actually have to evacuate? This isn't a joke? I know this officer did not just raise his voice at me.
Sir, did you know I spent $130 on this? Let me evacuate at my own pace. THANK YOU.
4. Wait, it really isn't even raining anymore so why exactly are we being evacuated?
If the skies are clear then why are we having to exit? ... Somebody has a gun. OMG. Or someone is going to bomb us. They got a bomb threat! A terrorist attack! I'm going to die at this music festival. Why else would we be evacuating?
5. Be cool. Don't tell the others.
Wouldn't want to scare anyone else right? Just keep it to yourself and calmly evacuate.
Or should I tell them so we can mentally prepare together? But what if I'm wrong...
6. Do not separate from the group.
We can not afford to lose a member now. Everyone grab a hand and don't let go for anything.
7. How long are we going to be "evacuated"? Slash what is actually going on?
Is this it? Can we go back in eventually? Does anyone actually know? What do we do in the meantime? Should we just wait outside? Or should we go eat? Should we be scared? DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY WE ACTUALLY GOT EVACUATED? Are we going to miss certain bands or will they just push the schedule back so we won't miss any performances? WILL I SEE JAMES BAY OR NO? Are we under attack?? Someone?? Anyone?!?
8. Of course, I have no cell service.
When I need to turn to Google, the only person I trust in this time of need, my browser won't load. Why is this happening to me!?!?
9. *Music Midtown sends out a notification informing us gates are reopening in 15 minutes and the weather evacuation is over.*
We all simultaneously receive the notification.
2 things:
1. No gunman. THANK YA JESUS!
2. RUN!!!
10. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
So sure, the rain and evacuation wasn't ideal. But honestly, it wouldn't be right if something crazy like this didn't happen. This evacuation brought out every emotion we had in us. Frustration. Anger. Desperation. We yelled at each other. We said somethings we didn't mean. But at the end of the day, there really wasn't any other place I'd rather be and no one else I'd rather be with. So thank you, rain, for making my first music festival one I will never forget. KUMBAYA and all that other stuff.
All image source: giphy.com
