I bought tickets to this show last semester during the fan-verified pre-sale. In the first hour of ticket release, everything was sold out (damn you scalpers) and I was devastated. After doing some very quick and skilled research, I found that there was another pre-sale going on for American Express cardholders so I searched the hallways for someone who would give me their last 4 digits. When I finally found someone I was able to buy tickets in a great spot, not my usual tickets, but nonetheless amazing. I had been anticipating the day ever since… until a few days ago.

Breakups are always hard but they’re harder when you’ve been with someone for a long period of time. My boyfriend broke up with me days before he said he would accompany me to the Paramore concert, so I was left alone with two tickets. I was so upset that I sold both of my tickets and wasn’t going to the show. It wasn’t until I started playing my Paramore playlist on Spotify that I realized I had made a huge mistake. I did some more internet searching and found an even better seat than the two I had originally purchased, only this time it was just for me. After selling my pair of tickets, I had enough to get myself a seat in the orchestra and buy a tour shirt. Nonetheless, this all took place hours before the concert.

With other obligations taking the reigns, I found myself arriving at the concert minutes before the opening band, Best Coast, was finishing their set. With my luck, I wound up behind two couples who were towering over me. I noticed a spot in front of both of them and asked if I could hop in the window between them for a better view. When they agreed, I knew I was in for the night of my life.

Paramore opened their set with “Hard Times,” the first single off their newest album, “After Laughter.” It was the most magical opener because if I hadn’t peeked at the setlist, I’d have no idea what the intro was leading into. I got my feet moving and couldn’t believe this was a reality for me. It finally hit me that it had been three years since I had last seen my favorite band. When they continued the set with their next song, it reaffirmed my love for Paramore. “Ignorance” has always been my favorite song, and to hear Hayley sing it through a bullhorn made it all the more badass. Seeing the 7 member piece play together brought me back to a time when it was just Hayley, Taylor, and Jeremy; I realized that times change and so do people.

The first time I sent a Snapchat all night was to my mom (yes, my mom is on Snapchat) when the band started playing “Still Into You.” She posts a photo montage of her and my father with the song playing in the background for every anniversary, so I figured she’d love to see it live. Hearing throwbacks like “Brick by Boring Brick,” “Playing God” (oh my GOD it was amazing), “That’s What You Get,” and “I Caught Myself,” sent me in a vision back to my room in middle school jamming out to OG Paramore. Other songs in the mix of the throwback were "Hate To See Your Heart Break" and "Forgiveness," two of my favorite songs of all time.What really got me “in my feels” was when Taylor broke out the acoustic guitar and it was just him and Hayley on stage together. They played “26” and it was the catharsis to my breakup that I didn’t know I needed. I cried silently at some parts, and sobbed louder in others, even getting shoulder pats from the couples who were now behind me. The iconic line “Hold onto hope if you got it,” was sang by the entirety of Radio City and I could see the twinkle in Hayley’s eyes when it happened. The song was magic in true form and if I ever got the chance to meet Hayley and Taylor (again), I would thank them over and over again.

The rest of the night was truly memorable from the song choices to the dancing. After “26” was “Told You So,” “Fake Happy,” and a cult classic “Misery Business.” At every Paramore concert I’ve ever been to I’ve loved Hayley’s selection of who she chooses to bring on stage for "Misery Business." Wednesday night it was two older teenage girls with style and a strange dynamic that would have you thinking they were friends forever! Amidst those songs, the band also played a cover of the song “Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac (one of mine and Hayley’s favorite bands), which fit in perfectly with the vibe of the setlist: funky, lovey, sad, and hopeful. Paramore’s set “ended” with "Ain’t It Fun," which was fun to dance to but not one of my personal favorite songs.The encore was probably my favorite part of the band’s performance. They played “Caught in the Middle” which is my go-to karaoke song, “Scooby’s in the Back” which is a HalfNoise (Zac Farro) cover and my go-to dancing song. Finally, they finished with “Rose Colored Boy” which is everyone’s favorite song off the new album. When the lights came back on and the band had left the stage, I wasn’t as depressed as I usually get after concerts. Wednesday night was truly the concert catharsis I needed to tie together every aspect of my life. With that being said, if you’ve never seen a Paramore concert before, it is heavily recommended.

And never forget… We love you! We love you! And WE- ARE- PARAMORE!