On Tuesday October 4, 2016 I finally attended an event I've wanted to go to for quite some time: Emo Nite.
To put it simply, Emo Nite can be perfectly summed up by its creator's statement: "We throw parties for the music that we love." If you didn't already guess, that music is emo music.
A wide range of well-known emo bands consist of Good Charlotte, Taking Back Sunday, Blink-182, Panic! at the Disco, My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Death Cab For Cutie, Underoath and Yellowcard to name a few.
Emo Nite LA takes place the first Tuesday—hence the event's other known title, Taking Back Tuedsay—of every month at the Echoplex music venue.
Here's all the pros to Emo Nite:
The music
Clearly the primary reason people go to Emo Nite is for the music. Unlike a typical club night, you're jamming out to emo music as opposed to dancing to hip hop or electronic. The moment I walked into the venue I felt the rush of nostalgia once I heard the first throwback song: "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" by Panic! at the Disco. I love clubbing, but the energy from this crowd is way more thrilling. At one point I was singing my heart out to Sum 41's "Fat Lip" with a stranger while we boosted each other's spirit.
The ambiance
The crowd is pretty friendly and no fights occurred as far as I could tell. What's cool about this event is there's a good chance of running into someone from your past emo days. I myself ran into a friend I haven't seen since middle school and I also witnessed several people reunite with former peers. You might even make new friends by connecting with people who love the same emo bands as you.
Cheap entry
The first 100 people in line get into the venue free. After that it costs merely $10 for entry. You can't beat that.
There's food
The venue has an outdoor section that has a food truck along with two separate DJ sections you can jam out by. The Echoplex has a total of four areas you can listen to music (the two outside, first floor of the venue and the second floor that typically has a live band performing).
Guest DJs
By guest DJs you're probably thinking of names like Dillon Francis, Skrillex, Calvin Harris, perhaps Steve Aoki. Though it would be rad to catch these DJs live, this wouldn't be a genuine Emo Nite if these DJs performed. Instead, guest appearances consist of former or present emo band members! For instance, there's been appearances by Brendon Urie from Panic! at the Disco, Joel and Benji Madden from Good Charlotte, Matt Skiba from Blink-182 and so many more.
The one and only con:
It's always on a Tuesday night
Therefore, some can't make it due to school and/or work. On the other hand, this could be considered a pro because the venue gets packed as it is. If everyone and their mother could attend Emo Nite the entry line would easily wrap around the building twice, maybe three times.