Sometimes, nothing in the world is better than going to a concert. Especially now, after Finals Week is over and you are home, a concert may seem like the best thing to do. If you are me, you love going to alternative rock and pop-punk shows back home over break. Here are the stages of going to a basement/club-sized venue show for the punk fangirl that lives inside of us:
- You buy the tickets a few months beforehand, without any real worries that the show will sell out.
- Excitement hits as soon as the sale is confirmed.
- Times passes where you forget you are attending the show.
- A week before, you get a notification from your phone’s calendar that the show is approaching.
- That same excitement begins to build up again, with the anticipation of the show slowly killing you.
- You scour the depths of the Internet for the setlist until you find it.
- Scream when you find said setlist.
- Sigh when you see they are playing that one song you don’t really like that much.
- Cry when you notice that they are playing your favorite song that gives you all the feels.
- That entire week you listen to the band’s music, sobbing because you know in a few days you will see them sing that same song you are listening to now right in front of you.
- A few days before, you make plans with your friends about who will drive, what you’ll do beforehand, and after for that matter.
- All of a sudden it is the day before the concert, and you can hardly contain yourself.
- The night before you have trouble sleeping.
- All you can think about is how you are seeing one of your favorite bands, and even a few bands you moderately tolerate, the next night.
- THE DAY IS HERE.
- You wake up, and the first thing on your mind is the fact that you are going to a concert that night.
- You go throughout your day doing normal things, but all you can really think about is tonight.
- You try not to let it show that you are too excited, but let’s fact it- everyone around you knows.
- It’s time to get ready, and the struggle to find an outfit is real.
- It’s 19 degrees outside right now, but once you entire the venue it’s about to reach what feels 220.
- A jacket? Just a sweater? DO I WEAR LEGGINGS?!
- Finally, after consulting your mom, sister, two best friends, and even your cat, you settle on something cute, comfortable, and warm enough to wear to wait on line.
- It’s 3 p.m., and doors open at 5:30. You hop into your car and pick up the squad.
- After one friend ran late, another completely ditched, and one said she caught another ride, you still end up with about five people in the car, whether you planned on driving them or not.
- You hit traffic and road rage fills your veins. You will NOT be a second late to this show.
- Even after worrying about showing up late, everyone knows that a Dunkin' run must be made.
- After getting yourself a large mocha latte, you begin driving again, possibly running the occasional red to get there faster.
- Finally, the moment comes where you arrive at the venue.
- You try not to shout.
- You reach the line by 5:15, with time to spare before doors open.
- You talk with your friends about the show, losing all ability to think about anything else.
- Some up-and-coming band asks you to listen to their music while on line.
- You listen, and of course they ask you to buy their new album.
- You lie about having no money and they walk away.
- DOORS ARE OPEN.
- People on line start to shout and your heart beats fast, knowing the night is about to begin.
- After waiting impatiently to enter the venue, you are finally in there.
- You and your friends find a good place in the crowd to stand.
- A small argument ensues about when to get merch.
- Finally, you all decide to keep your spot in the crowd and buy merch at the end.
- Music plays through the speakers, getting everyone excited for the first band to come on.
- After some time, the opening band no one has ever really heard comes on and plays a few songs.
- You listen to this band, not sure whether you are into it or not.
- By the end of their short set, you come to the conclusion that they are pretty solid.
- Then, comes more waiting. The waiting is always the worst.
- Friend No. 1 has to pee. You go with her, because secretly you have to pee as well.
- You and Friend No. 1 run into someone you knew from high school
- You try to play it cool, but deep down want nothing more than for the conversation to end.
- By the time you come back, the second band has started playing.
- They’re pretty great, even if you have only heard a little bit about them.
- You decide you love this band. Your friends don’t get it, but you think they will become the next big thing. (New fangirl status is very high at this point)
- They leave the stage and announce that they will be at the merch booth after their set to meet people.
- You try to convince your friends to go, because you just have to meet them.
- They calm you down, and you realize that if you do that, you’ll most likely lose your place in the crowd.
- So, you remain where you are, ready for the direct supporting act to come on.
- More waiting.
- Someone inevitably starts a USA chant.
- You join in, because why not?
- Then, the lights dim for the third time and the next band comes on.
- You know a few songs by them, but not too many.
- You have a good time, enjoying the set this band played.
- You notice someone from your Macro class this semester is crowd-surfing above you and wave hi.
- They didn’t see you, but yet again, they were crowd-surfing.
- The band ends their set, which means only one thing.
- YOUR FAVORITE BAND IS COMING ON NEXT.
- You grow even more excited, while Friend No. 3 starts jumping up and down.
- You wait, but really just wish they would come on already.
- Wait a little more, growing more impatient.
- Even more waiting- almost to the point where you want to cry.
- Then, it happens.
- The lights dim.
- The intro begins.
- The curtain lifts.
- AND THEY COME ON STAGE AND START PLAYING.
- You scream, sigh, and sob because they are finally on stage.
- They play the first song and everyone in the venue goes crazy.
- After a few songs, Friend #5 decides to enter the pit. You don’t see Friend No. 5 again until after the show is over.
- The band plays a few of their older songs, and you have more fun than you could have ever imagined.
- Then, the lead singer announces he is going to play a few songs acoustic.
- The crowd settles down and you hear a person start to cry behind you.
- He plays some heart-warming, but also heart-breaking, songs, and after that, the full band comes out, playing the most aggressive song in their repertoire.
- You see the kid from Macro class again, and this time he sees you first and waves.
- After a few more songs, the band announces that they are ready to play their last song.
- A couple of minutes pass, and sure enough, they come back out for their encore.
- The crowd loses it, going all out for the last few songs.
- You managed to push up to the second row throughout the entire night, and stay there for the rest of the encore.
- Once the last song ends, confetti shoots out and the crowd roars.
- The band throws the setlist, drumsticks, and guitar picks out to the crowd.
- Then, before you even know what happened, you catch one of the picks.
- You shout and the smile for what seems like eternity.
- Your friends drag you to merch, where Friend No. 5 is already waiting.
- You push through, inching your way right up to the table.
- All of you get what you want and then exit the venue, unable to comprehend how perfect your night was.
- It takes you 20 minutes to find the car.
- Once you and your friends entire the vehicle, all you can do is verbally relive the entire concert.
- Friend #6 suggests going to a diner, even though everyone already knew that was where the night was headed. And yes, a different friend needed a ride home. Typical.
- You drive to the diner everyone loves to go to, having a great time, seeing other people who attended the concert there.
- After eating an abundance of waffles, you and your friends leave, dropping them off wherever they need to go.
- By about 2 a.m., you finally reach your home.