When I heard that Pierce the Veil was coming to Iowa, I was beyond excited. I first started listening to Pierce the Veil in high school after I discovered Sleeping with Sirens, which is closely linked to Pierce the Veil. Over the years, my love for this band grew and grew. I fell completely in love with their entire "Collide with the Sky" album, which showcases the edgy, alternative side of the band as well as the sweet, lyrical side.

My best friend, McKayla, bought us both tickets for my birthday, so on September 14th, we drove down to Clive, Iowa to see my favorite band. In the past, I've worked myself to the front of most concert crowds, but besides the really great pictures I've taken, it hasn't been worth it. A lot of crowds push and shove, so sweaty bodies are all over. McKayla and I decided to hang back this time.

Once we got there, we ended up fairly close to the stage for the openers, I Prevail and Neck Deep. It was fairly difficult to see, so when Pierce the Veil's set was on deck, we relinquished our spots in favor of the cooler, breathable air away from all the pulsing bodies.

Between sets, we were able to visit with members of I Prevail and Neck Deep. They were super nice, and they shook our hands and introduced themselves as if we didn't know who they were. It's always strange to meet people you pay to listen to, because they're not intimidating at all. They're semi-famous, and they meet thousands of people who know their names, but they're just people. At Warped Tour in 2014, I met Travis, the lead singer from We the Kings, and he was one of the sweetest, least intimidating people I've ever met. I didn't get nervous, and I wasn't a complete fangirl about it. That's how these guys were: tangible, approachable, and real.

Then, Pierce the Veil got on stage. That's when I freaked out just a little bit. Because the band was so dang cute. They talked a bit about their music and what inspired them to write the songs they sang. They even serenaded one lucky girl. The one thing that made this concert the best I've ever been to is that they made the crowd feel like it was the only one they sang to on their tour. It didn't matter that they'd been performing the night before and the night before that. It didn't matter if they were tired of touring. They made it feel like it wasn't just about making a living; it was putting smiles on their fans' faces. That's what made the night worth it.