Photo By: Alexandria Adle

Recently, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a concert for the indie pop band, The 1975. Admittedly, this was not my first time going to see this band in concert, (and most likely not my last), it was an experience that easily topped the first concert of theirs I attended.

Attending a concert for one of your favorite bands or musicians is a thrilling experience. If they are popular enough, people spend all day waiting in line just to be in the first few rows for the concert. I’ve done this many times for multiple bands, but have still been unsuccessful at achieving front row. This time, My friends and I had a secret weapon, V.I.P. tickets, allowing us to enter the venue before the never ending lines of fans outside.

People, mostly high school or college aged girls, began to pour in, the crowd continuously pushed me up against the barricade, the thing separating the crowd from the stage. Squeezing my body in positions that I would soon learn I would have to deal with if I wanted to stand my ground.  I’m a mildly experienced concert goer who is not afraid, but rather welcoming, of some mild pushing and movement. However, I am much less a fan of these things, when they happen incessantly before the first opening act even comes on.

Hair was pulled, feet were stepped on, elbows were jabbed into people’s sides (whether it be by accident or more sinister purposes), the wait for The 1975 to come on was brutal. It was hot, crowded , and thoroughly unenjoyable. However, my spirits could not be completely dampened, because as soon as those lights went out at 10 pm and the humming of electric guitar buzzed loudly in my ear, all the pain and annoyance vanished.

The show was brilliant. The band, with front man Matt Healy, put on an excellent performance. Every aspect of the concert fit together perfectly to create an indie pop masterpiece. The light show and the ample amount of fog machines cast a stunning ambience that lasted throughout the show.  It looked as if a storm was rolling in and as if the the band was performing in black and white.

Singing popular songs such as “ Chocolate”, “Girls” and “ The City”, the energy of the band and the crowd vanquished any apprehensions I had about the concert. Being front row and watching Matt sing on the stage a few feet from where I was standing is an image I’ll never forget.