The feeling that I get from feeling the music vibrating my bones, pumping my blood and my heart beating in my head...I think it's the closest I've ever felt to true love.
I love being there in the flesh with the artist and experiencing their music together. I can't help but feel like they are playing just for me, even in the arenas filled with thousands of other people.
I love the unity amongst fellow fans present, who recognize and appreciate the same sounds that I do and sharing those 2+ hours together, feeling like I'm part of the movement.
You can count on me to lose my mind, dance like literally no one is watching, buy the shirt, sing every lyric at the top of my lungs and/or cry silent tears every time.
The number one person who I have to have to HAVE TO see before I die (before he dies for that matter too) is Paul Simon. Obviously I love Bey and will always be her number one fan, but I think people would be surprised to learn that I am slightly more obsessed with Paul Simon. DON'T TELL BEY. He has been number one on my list since going to concerts became one of my hobbies.
I've been very lucky to go to a lot of shows in this life and I hope to be able to go to so many more. So I decided that I should probably do a better job of documenting these experiences by writing down a few words about each one after. After all, they are such a big part of my existence.
This is my list so far of who I have seen and they are in chronological order to the best of my knowledge. Although some of these concerts may not have been completely perfect, I loved every single one and I'm so grateful to have been a part of each one. If you haven't heard of some of these musicians for some strange reason, you should definitely take the time to educate yourself to each one.
O Brother Where Art Thou? Concert-
This was my earliest recollection of any concert I've ever been to. I remember going with my parents and sister Ashlyn. I can still remember sitting in the grass to the far right. And really all I remember listening to was Allison Krauss' sweet angelic voice. And of course the Soggy Bottom Boys with "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow".
NSYNC-
Salt Lake City, UT. 2002. Winter Olympics. Parents and Ashlyn. To be completely honest. I barely remember this concert. It was more of just an outdoor show and I don't think they were there for more than 30 minutes. I do remember our parents surprised us and I geeked out even though I was barely 10 years old. I remember being on my dad's shoulders at one point. We were way way wayyy in the back. But hey, at least I can say I saw JT in the flesh at some point in this life, right?
Rob Thomas-
Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA. Junior High. With my parents and Ashlyn. I remember I wanted to go SOLELY because Jason Mraz was opening. The most important person in my life up until high school was Jason Mraz. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for him. Rob was good but he swore a lot and my mom was traumatized that she had exposed her daughters to explicit words.
Jason Mraz-
Paramount Theatre. November 10th, 2008. With my parents. FRONT ROW TICKETS. It was my 16th birthday present and I was so beyond shocked that my parents were willing to pay to let me be there front row and it meant so much to me. I remember my camera died almost immediately because I used it up so much taking pictures and documenting how close I was to Jason. This was my biggest dream up until that point coming true. I had been with Jason from the very beginning before "I'm Yours". He definitely looked me right in the eyes at one point. I wore a long sleeve pink shirt because of "Geek in the Pink". Truly one of the best nights in my existence. This picture is one of the 12389082984 that I took.Coldplay-
The Gorge, George, WA. Summer before senior year. My family, the Rands, the Leavitts Tucker and Anna. Okay so I know that I say a lot of things are my favorite and the best concert ever but I mean COLDPLAY! VIVA LA VIDA TOUR! THE GORGE! I actually don't think it could get better than that. The Rands had bought a bus to take us to the Coldplay concert and all the families went together. I got a bloody nose on the way. Viva La Vida is one of the best albums of all time and I was not disappointed at all. I remember they did a cover of Billie Jean. Chris Martin was so funny and crazy. I danced everywhere. There were so many lights during "Fix You" SO MANY PEOPLE! Honestly a perfect day.
Showbox Sodo, Seattle,WA. Sometime in high school...I'm pretty positive it was senior year. Drew Choco. I remember Drew introduced me to Jonsi and I was inspired. Truly one of the most beautiful voices ever. And his music moves you and makes you want to climb mountains and run through fields until you fall down and just stare up at the big blue sky and makes you childlike with wonderment. I cry to his music a lot, out of happiness though. "Boy Lilikoi" makes me scream with pure joy and ecstasy. I honestly think that is the song that will play when I enter the gates of heaven. I remember this show I was super uncomfortable because I was with a boy and everyone was edgy and I didn't feel like I fit in. It was so crowded and small and dark. But that soon faded away as Jonsi transported me to another world. And I don't remember what song it was but I can still feel the bass pumping in my heart because it was so loud during the build up and climax of one song specifically. My eyes were closed for the most of the concert because I had the feeeeeeeeeels big time.
Neon Trees-
The Velour, Provo, UT. Summer term of freshman year at college. Tanner Johns. I knew about Neon Trees before "Animals" and was OBSESSED with their first album "Habits". That was definitely the soundtrack of my first semester at college. This was right when "Animals" was climbing the top 100 so Tanner agreed to come along even though he didn't know any of their other stuff. It was his first concert and he just happened to be in Utah that day. It was great timing. I remember we were waiting in line forever. The Velour is such a small venue and the Neon Trees were too big for it to be honest. Once we got in, I swear I have never felt so sweaty or hot. It really was miserable. Standing for literally 5 hours listening to literally 5 different opening acts before Neon Trees FINALLY came on. It was worth the wait, sweat and pain. They totally brought the house down. And I touched Tyler's hand at one point.
Jason Derulo and BoB-
UCCU Events Center, Orem, UT. September 2010. Ward people. Okay so I really only wanted to go because I went through a serious and intense BoB phase in high school. A ton of kids from my ward were going as well so I wanted to be in and create memories like you are supposed to do in college. I was so pleasantly surprised by Jason Derulo. He was so good and I remember being really attracted to him shirtless. It was just a cheesy happy pop indulgence time that I was really okay with. I was so impressed that Jason could actually hit all the high notes while dancing really good. BoB was so great too and my favorite memory was everyone's glowsticks jumping around the arena when "Magic" started. So much color and light! (PS this was right at the beginning of that trend thing where people wore fake glasses and I was one of those people who did it but it was only for this concert I promise).
Parachute and Kate Voegle-
In The Venue, Salt Lake City, UT. October 2011. Kari and Emily. I was introduced to Parachute in high school. I happened to live next door to two girls in college my sophomore year who loved them just as much as I did. We actually loved them so much we bought Meet and Greet passes LAWLZ. Looking back now, it probably wasn't worth it but at the same time I'm so happy that it happened. Parachute is definitely a very high school fan girl sort of band and us older college girls did not fit in at all whatsoever. I felt so incredibly dumb asking all the members to sign our posters and to take pictures but it was so dumb that we just made it funny and embraced our inner fangirl and laughed it off. The concert was spectacular. Will, their frontman, is a total babe with black hair and blue eyes and he just went crazy with no reserves and did an awesome cover of an Elton John song. And their album that they were promoting, The Way It Was is their best for sure and every single song is so good. These are just a couple of the pictures my friends and I nabbed, some the band consented to, others they did not (like the below picture)
Ellie Goulding and St. Lucia-
Salt Air, Magna, UT. February 2013. Naomi and Anna Marie. This was a really important concert for me to go to because Ellie had helped me through a really bad heartbreak during the fall semester before. I am very emotionally attached to the Halcyon album and could have an in-depth and intellectual conversation as to why that is the break up album of the ages. Anna Marie and I stood outside for what seemed like HOURS in the freezing cold. Honestly one of the more miserable couple hours of my life. But so worth it because we got front row! St. Lucia opened and I was so happy to find a new artist that I liked so much! He was so great and really good live and really got the stage hot and ready for Ellie. Ellie was incredible. She is a goddess. But unfortunately, everyone decided to be total punks and brats. Everyone was too loud even when she asked them to be quieter and there was more pushing and shoving than I have ever experienced anywhere. It was really unfortunate because it made it so hard to enjoy the show when I felt like I had to fight to stand in my spot or to be able to dance but I did anyway. I cried during "My Blood".
Beyoncé-
MGM Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. June 29th 2013. Nikki, Rachel and Nathan. This is it. If I had to pick my favorite concert, this is the one. People who know me know how big of a deal this was for me to see her live in the flesh. I have only dreamt of ever being in the same room as her. This was my birthday present and Christmas present combined. When I got the tickets, I literally collapsed on the floor in a ball and sobbed. I was in the middle of training for a marathon and what got me through was knowing that a week after I ran it, I would be seeing her. I felt like everything in my life had amounted to that night. And wow. I don't even know where to begin. It truly was one of the most magical nights of my life. I have never danced that hard or screamed so loud in my life. I made a point to completely shut everyone else out, including the older married couples next to me. I refused to let anyone take that night away from me. The highlight was probably towards the end when the opening to "Countdown" started so obviously you expect "Countdown" to be next BUT NO PSYCH SURPRISE HERE IS "CRAZY IN LOVE" INSTEAD. Never have I been more surprised in my life. Never have I whipped my hair so violently ever. I don't care what anyone says, I truly don't believe that Bey is overrated. She truly is one of the most incredible performers and she gives you a show. There was so much theatrics, dancing, lights! She flew through the air in a sparkly blue full-length leotard! She made the audience feel so loved and appreciated. I remember feeling like she left just as soon as she got there. She closed with a powerful new arrangement of "Halo". I had to sit there for awhile after it was over and soak it all in. Then it hit me that it was over and I started crying. She descended and then ascended back into the heavens like an angel. The next day was a hazy dream. My last day in Vegas was spent laying in bed trying to recover, trying to comprehend what had happened to me the night before.
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Dave Matthews-
Usana Amphitheatre, Salt Lake City, UT. August 2013. Jarett and some of his random bros. I was just minding my own business at work one day, when I get a call from my good friend Jarett. He asked me if I was interested in going to the Dave Matthews concert THAT NIGHT! FOR FREE! I immediately accepted and right after work found myself on my way to one of my favorite musicians ever with 5 other dudes. We had super awesome seats next to BYU basketball coach Dave Rose. I remember there were some extremely obnoxious drunk people behind us who literally the entire time shrieked "TWO STEP!!" which was really annoying but whatever David. The thing I loved most about David was the instruments. So many different instruments being used together to make such incredible sounds. I loved how it seemed like each instrument took it's turn in the spotlight until they all fused together for epicness. And Dave has such a cool voice, even if I can't understand a single word he says. "Ants Marching" as the finale was by far my favorite part. So many flashing lights and the volume was INSANE!
Bastille and HelloGoodbye-
The Complex, Salt Lake City, UT. December 2013. Tyler Tasso. So I actually bought a ticket to this show because of HelloGoodbye honestly. In my pop emo punk teenage stage, they were my Myspace songs. And I bought their shirt instead. Tyler graciously accepted my desperate plea to go with me because nobody else was interested or knew Bastille well enough to want to go but whatever their loss. Okay fine so "Pompeii" was the only song I knew by them but I'm always open to trying new music out! Tyler was actually one of my favorite concert companions. It was so much fun to converse with him and he was such a good sport and he knew Bastille well enough to educate me and we listened to their album on the way. So as it turns out, HelloGoodbye actually ended up disappointing me. They only played like 5 songs and none of them were good or any of their classics except for a new one ("Everything Is Debatable"). Then their arrangement of "Here in Your Arms", which is literally one of my favorite songs of all-time, was over auto-tuned and weird and shorter and just not the magical moment I had built up in my mind. Someday maybe I'll get over it. Bastille totally made up for everything that HelloGoodbye lacked. I am definitely a huge fan of their stuff now. And the front guy was just so very nice and pleasant.
OneRepublic and The Script and American Authors-
Usana Ampitheatre. June 2014. Amber and Taryn. OneRepublic is just one of those bands that people don't get super excited about. Or maybe it's just me but I think they are super underrated. When you think about it, they have had a ton of hits dating all the way back to my junior high days. When I saw they were coming, I thought "Hey why not! Tickets are pretty cheap and summer concerts are fun!" So I bought tickets with my two girlfriends and started listening to their newest album that they were promoting on tour as to prep myself. Holy Cuss. If I wasn't a OneRepublic fan before, I was after listening to Native. Everyone should listen to that whole thing. "I Lived" is one of my all-time favorite songs now and a theme song for life. Anyway so I put on some red lipstick and us girls headed up. making a quick stop at McDonald's for sustenance. We got there kinda late and the place was PACKED. We had to park kinda far away but it was okay because sacrifices. We heard "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors right when we were walking in which was too bad, especially because I really didn't care to hear The Script at all whatsoever. But they were funny and took some random kid's phone so they could call his ex and have everyone sing some breakup song to her. BUT ONEREPUBLIC!!! This was one of my favorite concerts ever really. Ryan, the lead singer, is such a great performer. His voice is crazy amazing and he was having so much fun and just talking to us all and making jokes. Amber Taryn and I danced like wild white girls and it was a euphoric moment. An out of body experience if you will. There really is nothing like that feeling I get from dancing like a complete fool in the grass in front of a million strangers with two of my dear friends on a perfect summer night. Afterwards, we stopped at MickeyD's again. Successful night.
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Paramount Theatre. September 25, 2014. Myself. OKAY I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS. I FOUND SAM SMITH FIRST. I have been with him from the beginning. I told everyone he was going to be big, I called him the Male Adele before Katy Perry ever knew who he was. I've been following him on Twitter since he was only in the couple thousands of followers. HE EVEN FAVORITED ONE OF MY TWEETS ONE TIME. ROAR. I first found him in December last year and was smitten right away. Literally there is not a single song by him that I don't love with all my heart. His album In The Lonely Hour came to me at a time when I was feeling pretty lonely and sad about my life. It was so refreshing and comforting listening to this guy sing literally some of the very same thoughts I have had about an unrequited love. Sam GETS me (and every other person who feels feelings). Anyway, so when he first announced he was going on tour, I didn't think I was going to be home in Seattle and I just was sad inside for a little bit about it that I couldn't see him but figured I would see him again someday. Then my life had some unexpected changes and adjustments so I did end up home in Seattle and I knew that I would die if I wasn't there. Or at least be extremely depressed about it. So I told my dad I wanted my birthday present a month early and wanted to go to the sold out show. So without a guaranteed ticket, I drove to Seattle that Friday night all by myself and my dad and I loitered around the entrance until we found someone an individual ticket for $125. I know I know, that's a lot of money. I even paid $25 of it. But I truly was that desperate to go. People might not be able to understand how important these concerts are to me. So I literally went in alone and introduced myself to two gay guys standing in front of me and they became my friends for the night. At first I was kinda looking forward to going to the concert by myself but I realized very quickly how lame it can be, depending on the artist I think. So if faced with riding solo as the only option, I'll still go but overall it is better to go with friends. I cried at this one too (it's not like ugly crying, just silent tears that stream down a little). Sam's voice is angelic. Pure. Perfect. He was so cute and you could tell he was just so humbled and genuinely happy to be there. Then of course, after this incredible night that I spent my birthday present on, he announces that he will be back in February. But whatever I was at a more intimate setting and I am still so so grateful I got to see this future legend at the beginning of his journey.
The Black Keys and Jake Bugg-
Key Arena, Seattle, WA. November 1st, 2014. My little sister, Mckenna and her date, Eli. Black keys have been my number one must-see concert for the last 5 years or so (besides Bey and Paul but those are and have been dreams, not something I ever thought would actually happen. I still working on you Paul). My fondest memories of them are walking home from class and just blasting them in my ear so I can enable complete boss mode and strut with so much attitude that I scare people. They really do fuel me with so much confidence and raw power. Anyway, now that I'm home in Seattle, I've forgotten how many more acts pass through here than Salt Lake. It feels like there is someone I want to go see literally every week. But I knew that out of all them, Black Keys took priority. Except I was faced with the same problem of Sam Smith that I don't have any friends here to go with me. This may be extremely selfish of me but I begged my little sister to bring a date even though she doesn't know them at all and it was her Homecoming dance that same night. She agreed and so I found myself on my way to Black Keys as a 3rd wheel but whatever I DIDN'T EVEN CARE BECAUSE BLACK KEYS. THEY ROCKED. No other way to put it! They seriously rocked my world. I was extremely disappointed though in the audience. The arena had plenty of empty seats which I guess is fine but everyone besides general admission was basically sitting the whole time! But I've never let the audience stop me from being my true self. There was a row next to our seats that was completely empty so I made my way over there and headbanged and danced and rattled my brain. Dreams came true for me last night. And yes, being a 3rd wheel with your little sister is awkward. But maybe it's just because she was not enjoying it as much as me. I will still go as hard whether I am with friends or by myself, but I've learned for myself now that I need to marry someone who will be just as excited to go and get just as crazy.
So that's my resumé so far! Next on my list is Stevie Wonder in December and Hozier in February!
Music is such a big part of my life and I am just so darn grateful to be able to experience it through something as magical and inspiring as live concerts.
P.S. I promise that I am the absolute most entertaining and fun person you can go to a concert with so let me know if ya wanna go sometime.
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