After waiting almost two entire years to feel something again, I finally went to my first "post-COVID" concert. While I did see Dead and Company the week prior, it was not comparable to the excitement of seeing the one and only, Phoebe F****** Bridgers.
After buying my tickets in early August, I couldn't wait to see her live. I've been listening to Phoebe for about a year now and she's become my top artist of this year. After a breakup, her lyrics felt a little too close to home. The thought of seeing her live and being able to experience these songs in the moment was something I couldn't pass up.
My friend and I got to the venue at around 12 so we could get a good spot. We've always been psychotic concert go-ers, hence getting there 8 hours early for a 2-hour event. We ended up being third row, which unfortunately didn't do much for my height, but I still got a really good view. I forgot how much adrenaline comes with concerts and how you can even get a natural high. The dopamine is just surreal and every penny I paid was 100% worth it.
On the other hand, I've never been to a concert with this much crying. I'm used to moshing or constantly dancing and screaming, but because Phoebe's music is a bit more sad, there were many, MANY tears. I also always forget how good it feels to finally see an artist you look up to in real life. I'm over my major fangirl phase from middle school, but that side of me always comes out when I'm in the crowd.
Her setlist wasn't the longest, but it was still worthwhile. She opened up with her most popular song, "Motion Sickness", and concluded with her blood-rushing "I Know The End". I love looking at setlists, so I did also know she would be having an encore with Bo Burnham's "That Funny Feeling", which I could not wait for. While I did cry, just a bit… yeah… a bit…, her song "Moon Song", was the ultimate killer. Being my most listened to song of the past year (red flag, I know), the experience live was like I astral projected or something. It was insane. I even had people asking me if I was okay -- and if you've heard this song, you know I clearly was not okay.
While this concert may have sent me into a mini depressive episode, I don't regret it for a second. To be honest, too, I think I had a mental reset, in the best way possible. Being able to go to concerts again relit something inside of me and I can't wait to attend the many more I have in line.
