The crescendo of clapping and screaming. Jumping and dancing, swaying your body from side to side. The energy of a concert is entrancing and intoxicating.

Two years had passed since I last went to a concert at Terminal 5, where I watched a large crowd of fans moshing below, as I danced and sang from an upper balcony. Last Thursday, I finally went to another concert, for two bands I wasn’t even familiar with. Weeks prior, my boyfriend played music for me by an indie rock band that in the past has opened for Twenty One Pilots. The band is called Vinyl Theatre, and after a few songs, I immediately became a fan. We discussed going to their concert at the end of January, but at the time it seemed like a distant possibility. Only a few days before the concert, my anxiety kicked in with the lack of planning and he reassured me that we were indeed still going as he finally bought the tickets.

Vinyl Theatre opened for alternative rock band, Dashboard Confessional, who haven’t released new music in the last seven years. Both bands are working on their next albums and played new music for fans during the concert. The very first opening band was acoustic rock duo This Wild Life, who truly brought an unexpected calming atmosphere with their music. It was quite evident from the start that more people crowded in the pit for the main band, but like us there were still some fans who came to see Vinyl Theatre. Without a doubt, we underestimated Dashboard Confessional. We were slightly underwhelmed by Vinyl Theatre’s set considering they played more new music we had not heard and very few songs we knew. But I still am looking forward to listening to their new album once it’s released. The amount of love and support from the crowd during Dashboard Confessional’s set was amazing, and I became fully indulged in the energy and atmosphere as the music and screaming grew louder. Frontman, Chris Carrabba, impressed us with his vocals, holding long notes that seemed never-ending. I tried to catch as many guitar solos while taking videos, and I even caught the beautiful moment where he played an acoustic rendition of one of their popular songs and the crowd sang along in unison.

With the concert experience, especially if you’re in the pit, you’re also bound to get stepped on or pushed into or cross paths with a drunk guy, or people who think they can get past you when there’s clearly no room. The girl who stood in front of me was too close to me and I barely had room to move my arms and the tall guy who later ended up standing in front of me was like a statue- he stood still and didn’t dance or move his arms or even clap. Why was he there or who did he come to see, I’ll never know. With the bright lights from the stage blinding me once in awhile, and the heat of the room causing constant perspiration, once you find a spot you’re essentially stuck in one place for hours. My feet hurt by the end of the night and I needed a desperate stretch afterward, but the chilling air outside definitely was refreshing.

Once you leave a concert, however, you can’t wait to go back. You miss it immediately. I love concerts and I was filled with so much glee, just at finally getting the chance to hit the inflatable yellow ball with a smiley face on it that was being thrown around in the crowd (I hit it four times like a joyful little kid). I even joined the booing when someone would pop the ball. Overall, I felt so immersed in the concert atmosphere, dancing and jumping around with a wide smile on my face. Even though I didn’t come for the main band, I’m beyond glad that I stayed and enjoyed it more than I expected. Of course, I cannot wait and am looking forward to my next concert. With luck, it’ll be for a band I missed my chance to go see in concert last year. Going to concerts are not only amazing dates, but such an individual experience that makes you feel alive. I highly recommend going to a concert at least once in your life, if you have yet to; I promise you won’t regret it.