My name is Katie, and I didn't go to a concert until I was 19. Yeah, I know for most people, that is an utterly shocking statement. Whether it was Bieber Fever, N*Sync, or the Jonas Brothers, a lot of kids go to their first concert pretty young. Not me. I have always found good music in all genres, but one always stood out: punk rock. More specifically, Simple Plan. My older brother introduced me to them at a very young age - somewhere still in the single digits.
I remember seeing their music videos for "Welcome to My Life" and "Shut Up" on MTV. Their songs just always seemed to have a meaning and made a connection to my heart. When I felt alone, I could play their songs and remember I wasn't.
In 2016, after five looooong years, Simple Plan released a new album. When I tell you I was ecstatic, I am underestimating. I could not even finish songs, I listened to the first couple of minutes and moved on. I needed to experience them all.
The best part? I knew a tour was coming. The last time they performed in New York, I was too young and couldn't go, even when they played at Vans Warped Tour.
Years passed and I never felt the need to go to a concert for any other artist.
Then, June of 2016, nineteen and a half years after coming from my mom's womb, tickets went on sale for the Taking One For The Team tour.
It was Wednesday when they announced that tickets would be for sale on Friday.
Friday morning, I awoke at 11:00am and checked my phone. Tickets had gone on sale an hour ago. Panicking, I ran for my wallet and laptop and began to search for a ticket.
$65 for a VIP ticket. Perfect.
I bought two.
Months went by until the time came for the concert. The whole day I was so nervous. This was the band to stand by my side when I was struggling with depression, parental disapproval, social outcasting, and more. Now, now, I would be in the same room as them.
I stood on line for two hours previous to the time we were let in - despite having early access passes.
By 9:00pm, they came on stage. The energy in the room was electric. They sang some of their first songs, some of the newest songs, and everything in-between.
Screaming the lyrics that filled my childhood from the balcony of Irving Plaza, I lost my voice and my ears felt sore. There are no words to describe the exhilaration that went through my body.
Simple Plan, a band from Canada, has been together for fifteen years and still has all five original members. There have been no scandals, no drug stories, and they rarely curse in their songs.
Because of the overwhelming support and feedback they have been given, the band actually wrote a song using only quotes from their fans - titled "This Song Saved My Life."
Okay, so maybe I'm a bit of a fan. I only cried, like, three times after I got an autographed limited edition white vinyl from the band.
Long story short, thank you, Simple Plan; for the memories, for the encouragement, for the strength, and for the reminder that we are not alone.
