On Sunday, July 15th, I had the opportunity to see Panic! At The Disco in Columbus, Ohio. For the first time in my life, I had floor seats.
I was beyond excited to see them again, for the second time, and this time, I HAD FRICKEN' FLOOR SEATS!!! Did I mention that I had floor seats? Cause, I had floor seats.
The openers killed it, I was practically peeing my pants the entire time, and I'm gonna be honest, my thighs were sweating so hardcore because I was so excited.
The timer popped up on the screen. Ten minutes. Nine minutes. Oh, they're playing "Africa" by Toto. GUYS, TWO FRICKEN' MINUTES!!!!!
The completely sold out stadium came alive, everyone is screaming, everyone is on their feet, my thighs are suddenly 500 times even sweatier, and OH MY GOD BREND - wait... is Brendon on the stage?
I hear him...
But...
Wait, I can't see shit!
Now, we've already established that it is not the seats. Remember, floor seats.
IT'S THE FRICKEN' PHONES!!!
Literally, everyone and their mother had their phones up in the air recording. All I saw was hundreds of phone screens and a little, tiny Brendon in the center of all of those screens.
What is the point of paying hundreds of dollars to see someone live in concert if you're just going to watch it through your phone screen? You can do that at home for free on YouTube.
Live concerts are a time for dancing, screaming, singing at the top of your lungs, and spending the time of your life with the people around you, if you know them or not. Concerts are about seeing your favorite people on stage and singing with them the words that you have only heard through your headphones, the words that have saved you.
Concerts are about living in that moment.
There is never going to be another moment when you're standing in that exact spot, singing that song with them and living the best life that you can.
Why is it that we are so attached to our phones and to proving to those around us that we are having such a better life than they are? Why is it that we see life as this never-ending game of all of us one-upping another?
How many times are you going to get the chance to live this moment again?
Stop going to concerts and watching it through a screen. Stop going out with friends but end up more concerned about what your Snapchat followers will see. Stop being so obsessed with what others think and live your life the way that you want to.
I will never again experience the night of July 15th ever again. All that I have now is a t-shirt, five pictures, two short videos, and a million memories. But they are the kind of memories that I will take with me to my grave.
Life is passing us by quickly. Sometimes we just need a reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment without our phones in our hands.
