A few months ago I pulled out my debit card and paid more money than I probably should have to see my favorite band, The 1975, live. I waited for over a month to see them (possibly crying with excitement at least once a week). Each week I would send my friend, that I peer-pressure into also buying ridiculously expensive tickets, pictures of outfits or pictures of the band or just a update of how many days until the concert. If I'm being honest with myself, my constant texts were probably annoying, but that's alright. Long story short, I was VERY excited.
I started listening to The 1975 the summer before my senior year of high school when I first heard their song "Chocolate," and have been obsessed with them ever since my friend (who went to the concert with me) told me to watch the music video for their song "Robbers" because she said, "I swear Emily, you are the girl in the video." Maybe a little concerning considering the questionable choices the girl makes in the video... nonetheless, my friend understands my rebellious spirit and love for Matt Healy. There's just something about him that makes me want to put my morals aside and forget any and all obligations (If you're reading this Mom, don't worry, I'm not dropping out of school and running off with a rocker. It's just like your days of Prince in the 80's).
Enough rambling about the band. The day of the concert finally came and class couldn't drag out any longer as I thought about all the people who were able to line up outside the venue before me. Eventually 2:45 came, and I grabbed my things and headed north, blasting their songs all the way down I-75. Once my friend and I put our outfits together and perfected the put together, yet disheveled look, we met a friend who was luckily able to get in line around noon. Sorry to everyone that actually had to wait in line all day, but you all understand the importance of being as close to Matty as possible.
"DON'T RUN!!!" the security guards shouted at everyone once we passed the check in gates. Everyone sprinted once we turned the corner anyway. About 10-15 feet from the stage we settled into place and listened to the opening act, 070 Shake. Her performance was pretty awesome, but everyone was really waiting for the headliner.
Screams erupted when the first sound of The 1975 and pink light started to illuminate the audience. Everyone screamed as the light quickly flicked off then on and each band member was standing on stage and their 80's pop meets today's alternative rock filled the crowd.
We all stood mesmerized when their ambient noise filled the arena with the sounds of "I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It" and projected waves crashed onto the black stage. I was in a trance, completely unaware of how much time had gone by or where I was even at. There was a group of 4 people next to us, all blissfully unaware of the rest of the crowd. But, I was too.
Finally, the moment I had waited for since the fall of my senior year of high school. I saw my friend pause and asked her what was going on, and she just said, "listen". The ringing in my ears shielded the sound of the song that fueled my high school rebellion and made me want to leave my hometown. There it was the words, "she had a face straight out of a magazine/God only knows but she'll never leave you." Robbers played and the tears came,and I held my long time friend as tight as I could, wishing for Matty to come off stage and marry me.
The concert ended and I waited a bit for an encore that never came. I walked disappointed to my car and sat for a while reflecting on how memorable of a night we had. As cliché as it sounds, seeing The 1975 changed my life. It made me realize the importance of being young and doing and seeing the things I love is because someday soon my responsibilities and bills are going to pile up and my tight clothes won't alway fit me so well and I'l regret never doing these things. My friends and I have promised to see The 1975 again next time they're near us, and have already to see our favorite band from middle school, Mayday Parade, when they come to our area this spring.
As my favorite quote from E.E Cummings goes, "You shall above all things be glad and young." Thank you to The 1975 for reminding me to do this.
