Up until you read the title of this article, you probably forgot that Good Charlotte was a band.
However, for me, they never stopped being a band.
After a long, six-year hiatus and plenty of weddings and children later, Good Charlotte has come back together to write and record a new album called "Youth Authority," which is set to release on July 15th, 2016.
This album features the already released songs "Makeshift Love" and "40oz Dream."
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When I first heard that GC was back together and going on a mini-tour (four cities, four shows), I was ecstatic. I have been a fan of this band since I was eight years old. Since I was so little during the prime of their career, I was never able to actually see them perform live.
Being held back then made it extremely easy for me to make a decision this time when tickets went on sale. I instantly told my childhood best friend about the tour. She agreed we needed to go. Through all of our excitement, in the spur of the moment, we decided to buy meet-and-greet tickets.
Upon arriving in Philadelphia for the concert, I had so many different emotions. I could not believe that in only a few short hours my best friend and I were going to meet Good Charlotte. I had flashbacks to when I would come home from school, turn on TRL at 3 o'clock and see the music video for "I Just Wanna Live" on the daily countdown.
With the VIP package that my friend and I purchased, we got a lot of different things. As VIP guests, we were eligible to go into the sound check with the band, participate in a Q&A, and then meet the band and take a photo afterwards. Once we were let into the place and everything started, I was literally on a cloud.
All five of the guys (Joel, Benji, Billy, Paul, and Dean) were extremely friendly and excited about the show, but I personally think that Benji was the most hype one.
The show itself was incredible. The energy was awesome and the guys rocked out just as hard as they always have before. The set list had a huge variety of songs from all of their previous records. The band even took suggestions from the crowd and played some songs that weren't on the set list. During the show, I could not think of anything other than the fact that my inner child was screaming and that I was in love with both of the Madden brothers.
After the show was over, I walked away with some merch, a water bottle Benji threw to me and fantastic memories. I will never forget this show, this band, or what they have done for me over the years. Music is so powerful. If a song, an artist, or a band makes you feel something–anything–at any point in your life, never, ever let that feeling go.
Good Charlotte will be on Warped Tour this summer as well as their own headlining tour in the fall. If you happen to rediscover your love for this band, get tickets! It will be so worth it. I promise.
If any of the guys happen to come across this article, I just want to say thank you to you all. You are such nice people and I look forward to seeing you again. You made one of my dreams come true.
