hellaleg LIFE THROUGH CONCERTS
2011-2018
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
introduction
30
coin @ the grey eagle
4
owl city @ the fillmore
32
relient k @ the tabernacle
6
owl city @ center stage
34
coin @ 40 watt club
8
kopecky @ the channel
36
coin @ atlantic station
10
owl city @ the tabernacle
38
colony house @ the loft
12
relient k @ the house of blues
40
coin @ the visulite theatre
13
kopecky @ the loft
42
coin @ the orange peel
14
karmin @ the fillmore
44
saint motel @ the fillmore
16
lindsey stirling @ the masquerade
46
coin @ the ritz ybor
18
ok go @ the grey eagle
48
coin @ the buckhead theatre
20
lights @ the masquerade
50
vista kicks @ vinyl
22
ok go @ the buckhead theatre
52
lorde @ infinite energy center
24
betty who @ the visulite theatre
26
neon trees @ center stage
28
owl city @ center stage
welcome I never expected music to become so influential in my life. I also never expected live music to be even more important to me. There’s something so special about hearing your favorite song played live. It’s no longer just about you. It’s a physical connection between you, the artist, and the other hundreds of people in the room listening at the exact same time. There are certain shows you go to, and you just forget everything. You don’t know what time it is, what day it is, and you don’t really care. You don’t realize how long it’s been until the band is walking off the stage, and an hour long set felt like it had gone by in minutes. From chart topping artists, to the most obscure independent bands, I’ve learned a lot and grown as a person because of live music. I never even realized it until I sat down and thought about what my experiences at shows have taught me. These are those thoughts: slightly jumbled and kind of insane. I hope you stick with me. Leah
4
The Fillmore Charlotte June 17, 2011
OWL CITY There’s nothing more exhilarating for four 13 year old girls than seeing your idol live in concert. Previously, my only experience with concerts was a Demi Lovato concert in an arena. In no way was I prepared for such an intimate setting to see the twenty something year old man I was “in love with.” The show was everything I had dreamed of. Other than meeting Adam Young himself, the night went perfectly. He played my favorite songs, managed to make me scream louder than I knew I could, and gave me the best first concert experience possible. Although I didn’t cry during Lonely Lullaby, that was the closest I had come to feeling that much emotion in one night. It was a spiritual awakening to an experience I soon couldn’t get enough of. I’d caught the concert bug and it was only uphill from here.
Looking back now, everything from this fateful night in 2011 is completely embarrassing. I was just a young teenage girl who was there to see her idol, but I sure wanted everyone else to know I was the coolest person there. From the owl beanie, to the writing on my arms, there was no holding me back. Everything about the photos I have from this night says so much about who we were as people at that time in our lives. We were just discovering what we loved and learning to appreciate it. However, some of the ways we chose to express ourselves were so stereotypical of 2011 it almost hurts. The pictures we took, the hairstyles we rocked, and the questionable styling choices we made didn’t go unnoticed. The one photo from this night that I still love though, is the photo featured in the middle of this page. My friend Ashlee had grabbed my hand and held it the entirety of Lonely Lullaby and even managed to snag a picture without me noticing. The room was still and quiet except for Adam playing piano, and I couldn’t have been happier.
6
Center Stage September 6, 2012
OWL CITY If there is one thing I didn’t expect to happen at my second concert ever, it was definitely meeting Adam Young. It happened by chance, which is rare. Everything that happened felt like it was coming straight from a fanfiction I’d read before. 14 year old me was not prepared for the events that happened that fateful September night. After getting dismissed early from school, we left straight for Atlanta. Upon arrival, we then waited three hours until someone walked out and handed us a VIP meet and greet pass. Then all of a sudden, he was there. My idol and inspiration was sitting two feet in front of me playing an acoustic cover of Fireflies. I was melting. I didn’t even know how to react until after he left. As soon as I had a moment to myself, I hugged my mom and sobbed. I would go back to this moment in a heartbeat if I could. This was one of the happiest nights of my life.
The actual show itself was another dream come true. He played so many great songs, and there were so many great moments from this show that really showed the more musically inclined side of Adam. Sure, he had played some cute synth riffs on his past tours, but here we really saw him shine. With multiple guitar changes, drum solos, and even a dubstep remix of Tip of the Iceberg, I was captivated. With both of these Owl City shows completely blowing my mind, I had to experience my other favorite bands live... and soon.
8
The Channel February 9, 2013
Kopecky
The way I found Kopecky Family Band (now known as just Kopecky), was through Owl City. I wasn’t branching too far from what I knew musically, but it was a good start. This was the first show I ever went to (and is still the only) where I could use my DSLR without a photo pass. I took the opportunity to try my hand at concert photography. It was a very shaky start to say the least. I still really love a lot of the photos I took at this show. I do wish some were a little more in focus, but whatever. This show was so intimate and it really showed me what more independent bands are like live. It set me up for being more prepared for shows in the future. You don’t always have to show up to a show 3 hours early to get a good spot. With small indie artists, sometimes you can even show up late and still end up in the front. It was an eye opening experience for younger me.
Kopecky really kept me on my toes this whole show. There were seven people on stage, all doing their own thing, but creating something beautiful together still. You almost didn’t know where to look. I know everyone always usually pays attention to the lead vocalist, but from my time as a hardcore Owl City fan, I had learned to appreciate the other band members on stage. I vividly remember Kopecky closing with my favorite song of theirs, Angry Eyes. This song has always stood out to me, and is still one of my favorite songs to date. The build up near the end never fails to make my heart race. There’s nothing I love more than to see seven best friends making music just for the sake of making music with such pure intentions.
10
The Tabernacle June 12, 2013
OWL CITY With my love for Adam Young at a record high, I couldn’t wait to see him live again. Just when I almost couldn’t stand it any longer, Pop Tarts announced their “Crazy Good Summer” concert series. Owl City.... in Atlanta, GA.... for free. The stars had aligned and I was on my way to see Owl City for the third time. We waited in line for six hours, which at the time, seemed like forever. I even got to meet friends I had made over Twitter. We made it through the rain soaked wait and finally got inside only to wait through two full sets before Adam Young set foot on stage. Before this show, I had started to gain a little more confidence, and I was embracing the 2013 trends more than ever. Young me was ready to take on the world, but still wasn’t too sure of herself. Music played a big part in my uncertainty of who I was. A lot of the kids at my school made fun of me for liking the music that I liked and it was hard for me to fit in and find a crowd when my class had only 20 kids in it. So, I took to the internet to find friends.
This show was a really interesting night. This was a little bit after the release of The Midsummer Station, but also a weird in-between phase for him. He was posting demos on his Tumblr and making a lot of just random things. I remember vividly that he played Early Birdie and for some reason that song stuck out to me more than it had before. I could never relate to a lot of his songs that were about breakups and lost love, but his songs about being lost in life really resonated with me because I truly didn’t know who I was. I never really found myself while still in my Owl City phase, and that almost makes me wonder if that’s what was holding me back.
12
House of Blues Myrtle Beach July 9, 2013
Relient K
Relient K the first time around was kind of just me going to a concert for the sake of going to a concert. I loved Forget and Not Slow Down and Collapsible Lung, but that was pretty much it. The only video I have from this show is of Savannah, and I only managed to take 3 pictures. Along with physical mementos, I don’t have a lot associated with this show memory wise either. I was still the same girl I was a month prior, who was leaning hard into 2013 trends and really just went along with what everyone else was doing. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I always feel like I’m doing something wrong when I do. I think that’s why Collapsible Lung stood out to me so much. It was an album that really blended in to everything else going on at the time.
13
The Loft November 7, 2013
Kopecky My final Kopecky show was before they decided to take a break, which turned into their final resting place. I remember this was the first show I went to where I actually cared about my appearance. I went out and bought an outfit just for the show and even did my makeup as well as I could in 2013. Again, I don’t have a lot of physical evidence of this night, or a lot of memories associated with this show. However, I remember they performed a cover of Tusk by Fleetwood Mac and I absolutely fell in love. That was definitely the awakening of my love for the 70s/80s. Kopecky played a huge part in discovering a more muted style and tone for myself and I’m still influenced by a lot of their music today. I would kill for a reunion.
14
The Fillmore Charlotte April 19, 2014
KARMIN
Karmin was the beginning of a weird phase for me. I started experiencing depression for the first time in my life and was honestly terrified of anyone finding out for some reason. I needed a persona to put on to hide it, so I went for a very overconfident and bold approach to my style. Statement lipstick colors and heavily 80s influenced fashion were there to cover me up and I couldn’t help but fall in love with Karmin. Amy Heidemann’s monochromatic outfits and signature suicide roll hair style were just what I needed. I specifically remember falling in love with their song I Told You So and could not wait to hear it live. So, when they announced they were coming near me, I jumped on the opportunity quicker than ever. I knew I needed to see my role model and enjoy one night of happiness out of the wave of depression I was experiencing.
There’s nothing more empowering than a tiny white girl from Nebraska spitting rhymes with such a ferocity you can’t even fathom how fast she’s speaking. That is exactly how I felt after this show. I felt like I was brand new. I’d seen someone who I could relate to so much absolutely kill it in front of a massive crowd and it made me feel like I could make it through the little spout of depression I was in. From then on out the confidence was no longer fake. I truly felt like I could take on the world and no one could stop me. Sure, I would still be upset from time to time, but I could make it. There’s one line in particular from their song Drifter that still makes me feel like I could kick anyone’s ass: No need for thank you, I do what I please.
16
The Masquerade July 1, 2014
Lindsey Stirling
I remember the first time I saw Lindsey Stirling playing violin, I had no idea how a live show of hers would work. There was no way she was actually dancing and playing the violin. Just like the rest of the internet, I was captivated. I’ve always had a soft spot for strings, so combining electronic elements with them was absolutely perfect. I was still riding the high from the Karmin show, so I was ready to be floored by Lindsey Stirling’s talent. I wasn’t prepared at all for what was about to happen.
July 1st in Atlanta, GA could not have been hotter. I don’t think I’ve ever sweat as much as I did during this show. I couldn’t even imagine the artists on stage dancing and changing costumes. The lights, the set, and the costumes all worked perfectly together to create such a beautiful show. I’ve never been so impressed by a performer before in my life. I remember being a little concerned about how this show would go because, usually, as an audience member, you’re able to sing the lyrics and that’s how you interact. But, almost all her music is instrumental. I honestly don’t even remember what I did now, but I do vividly remember crying during Take Flight even though I’d never really felt moved by that song before. This was kind of my phase where I didn’t like listening to slow/sad songs, but something about that performance touched on something I was most likely hiding from myself.
18
The Grey Eagle September 24, 2014
OK GO There’s nothing I’ve learned to love more than good old, angry rock and roll. That’s not exactly how I came to love OK Go, but it’s why I stuck around. Just after the release of their music video for The Writing’s On The Wall, I saw a GIF from the video and fell in love. After some digging, I found out that this video was from the same band who did the treadmill video. With a quick binge watch of all their videos, I was hooked. Their creativity and innovation was inspiring, and I in turn started painting more and figured out that I loved graphic design. This was almost like my own personal renaissance and it felt amazing. OK Go also got me into a lot of other rock bands as well, which you’ll see in later shows. As my art and music taste began to expand, the facade of fake self confidence slowly fell apart and left some actual real self confidence behind it.
Since we paid for VIP, we got to sit in on sound check and even request songs. Damian asked me what I would like to hear, and happily obliged when I requested Invincible. That song made me feel like I could do anything and still does. I even have a tattoo now to commemorate this memory forever. The little stick of dynamite on my ankle reminds me that I’m that crushing, crashing, atom-smashing, white hot thing that’s invincible.
20
The Masquerade February 27, 2015
LIGHTS Seeing Lights live was really just a fulfillment of 15 year old me’s wishes. I was and still am in love with The Listening and Siberia. Little Machines is a phenomenal album, but it wasn’t super influential in my life. It wasn’t really lyrics I could relate to anything happening in my life at the time. I had never seen Lights live before, so I was hoping to hear some of her older stuff along with the new album. It was really disappointing when the only song she played from The Listening was The Last Thing On Your Mind. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great, but deep down I wanted to hear Savior so bad.
Even now, in darker times, I find myself listening to Heavy Rope and Cactus In The Valley. There’s something very inspirational about Lights that I can never pinpoint, but it’s always there to bring me up from a rut. It’s good music to drive at night with the windows down to. Sometimes, that’s all you need though. Just you, the road, and some sad music. I learned through Lights that sad songs aren’t here to make you sad, they’re here to help you feel less alone.
22
The Buckhead Theatre April 14, 2014
OK GO
My first OK Go show made me so incredibly happy, that I knew I had to go to another one. When the opportunity came up, I even purchased VIP tickets again. I knew what I wanted and I was so excited to see this band again. This band’s passion drove me to create and expand my horizons. I think it was during this phase in my life that I decided I wanted to major in graphic design and not just have it be a thing I did sometimes. They showed me a love for color and life that I hadn’t previously experienced.
This was the first show I ever went to where I had a physical interaction with the artist. Sure, at the last show Damian got in the audience with us, but this was the first time I ever had my hand held and was sung to. During This Too Shall Pass, Damian stood on the barricade, held my hand to keep himself up, and sang the forever inspirational lyrics to one of my favorite songs ever. It was such an amazing moment and I’ll never get over the feeling of pure joy I experienced after it was over. Sure, I had been on barricade before, but never like this. I didn’t know how amazing it was to connect with an artist this way until it had actually happened. All of a sudden, the emotions were amplified and the music meant so much more. Yeah, it’s you, the band, and another several hundred people, but in those small moments where you physically connect with an artist, no one else matters. Seconds turn to minutes and you never want it to end. It’s those intimate moments that I love the most and I can’t ever get enough of.
24
The Visulite Theatre June 24, 2015
Betty Who & COIN
When I first heard Betty Who, I fell in love with her 80s inspired beats and fashion choices. She’s tall, powerful, and fearless. With a new urge to create, this was such a good influence for me. Before this, I had been so shy about sharing my art and expressing myself freely. I took her a poster I had designed of her Somebody Loves You album artwork and I’ll never forget how excited she was that I was creating. She told me not to stop and that I’ll go places if I really want to. She told us art was a language and in turn music was a language and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. 17 year old me was getting ready to apply to colleges and start her future and hearing that my art had that much power was so incredibly inspiring. Don’t even get me started on her set. She has one of the prettiest voices I’ve ever heard live it’s almost unreal... plus she dances too. She’s a powerful and driven female force of nature who I honestly want to be best friends with.
Betty Who wasn’t the only artist I was there to see that night. Her opener, Coin, had been a personal favorite of mine since 2012, but this show opened my eyes to some of the most exciting live shows I’ve ever been to. This was also the beginning of me pestering them to play my favorite song of theirs, Honey. Their six song set wasn’t enough for me and I immediately wanted more. After this show, I listed to their self titled album exclusively for the next 3 months. It started a new phase for me, which is still kind of happening.
26
Center Stage July 14, 2015
Neon Trees & COIN
Neon Trees were almost a hidden love I didn’t even know I had until they announced their intimate night out tour. Yeah, I’d listened to Animal and Everybody Talks, but there was so much more to them that I never even thought about exploring until I heard Coin was opening for them. In a way, my love for Coin turned into a love for Neon Trees. I’ve always loved feel good music, and that’s exactly what I needed the summer before my senior year. The freedom expressed in their music perfectly expressed the freedom I felt in being so close to leaving my tiny hometown. Liberation is an emotion I associate heavily with Pop Psychology, so this night really felt like a turning point for me.
Neon Trees put on one of the most energetic sets I’ve ever seen and it was so iconic. Every song they performed was better than the last, and of course they closed it off with a cover of one of my favorite oldies: Come On Eileen. I was particularly exhausted after this show and seriously almost passed out, all because I went a little too hard. I didn’t just have one band to cheer on. I was there for the opener as well. This show was only two weeks after Betty Who, so Chase Lawrence of Coin recognized me in the crowd. He even jumped down and sang part of Fingers Crossed to me personally. Everything was going right for me that summer and Chase singing the line “you just stepped down from a mother’s dream” felt like a sign that I was doing something right. For once, everything felt right and it was incredible.
28
Center Stage October 6, 2015
OWL CITY
Just because I don’t like Mobile Orchestra doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy seeing my first obsession live again... I was wrong. The dramatic change wasn’t just in the music, there was a change in him as well. There was also a change in his management, but I’ll get to that in a minute. I’ve never been to a concert where I felt like the artist just didn’t want to be on stage. I, in turn, felt bad as an audience member for even being there. It was such a strange atmosphere which made me uncomfortable. I think I saw him smile twice.
There were some songs where Adam simply sat on the ground the whole time, and other high energy songs he barely seemed there for. It wasn’t just my show either, because some other friends who went later in the tour noticed this too. While he played some of my favorite songs from Ocean Eyes and All Things Bright and Beautiful, I just felt sad the entire show. This was also partially because of the meet and greet I paid for. The VIP upgrade was an extra 150 dollars and all it got you was a picture with Adam. As I had gotten older, I grew to love and appreciate a lot more of his music and less of his appearance. All I wanted to do was thank him for getting me to where I was in life, but the most I got to get out was a “thank you” before I was asked to move. I grew up, and things changed, but I guess I didn’t think the change would be that dramatic. An entire crucial chapter of my life has been closed, and that’s wild to think about.
30
The Grey Eagle June 14, 2016
COIN The third time I got to see Coin was so incredible. A lot of events transpired before this show, so I better get started. First, I made a hat that said “HONEY” in big letters in hopes that they would play Honey for me. Second, literally the day before and day of, I was at orientation for college. Third, I met a boy at orientation who I ended up dating for a couple months. So, a lot was going on in my life at the time. During the show, they played three brand new songs, Hannah, Boyfriend, and I Don’t Wanna Dance. With only a seven song set, I was actually about to die afterwards because I went so hard. As Coin was getting their gear off stage for Saint Motel (who was headlining, but sadly I couldn’t stay b/c of other conflicts), Chase saw me and came over to talk for a minute. He tapped my hat, said he felt awful about not playing Honey, and said “one day” before walking off. I got to give the boys some art later before I left, and the reactions I got were so encouraging. If only they knew how influential those reactions would be in my pursuit of my future career. I wouldn’t be where I am today as an artist without the influence of the artists I love so much.
Now back to what the heck was going on in my life during this show. I was so anxious for college. I was scared I was going to fail and never be able to get my degree. I was scared I wasn’t going to make any friends. I was the most scared about my roommate situation, because right from the start I knew that wasn’t going to work. However, as soon as Minty started playing and Coin took the stage, everything melted away. For those seven songs, nothing mattered.
32
The Tabernacle October 30, 2016
Relient K
Remember that boy I mentioned literally on the last page? Yeah, he broke up with me. Relient K’s Air For Free was my breakup album. Getting over my very first heartbreak was harsh and falling back on songs like Local Construction and Heartache helped immensely. I fell into such a rut that even my art suffered a blow. I couldn’t go a single night without crying and I hardly ever left my dorm. Heartache specifically helped me through a lot of awful days, and hearing it live felt like it was being sung just to me. One sad girl in the balcony was crying her eyes out the whole show, and it was just the therapy she needed.
Almost forgot to add that I was supposed to go to this show with said boy who broke my heart. My mom happily substituted and was really happy to see me take such a huge stride towards healing again. Of course, I wouldn’t be completely over the situation for at least another year, but after this show I had a second wind. I was able to think about him without crying and sometimes I could even say hi if I saw him around campus. I would not let my heart ache anymore because I deserved to be happy on my own. I took action and made plans, going to dinner with friends, taking solo trips to nearby cities, and making art again. I know I talked about liberation earlier, but I truly had no idea what real freedom felt like. Being free from heartbreak finally was like being able to breathe again.
34
40 Watt Club February 11, 2017
COIN There is literally nothing more inspiring than seeing your favorite band play one of their first headlining shows and absolutely crushing it. I had never been to a show where the crowd was so loud and I don’t think Chase had either. Every time we sang, Chase would be so stunned by our enthusiasm. I have a video of him just standing on stage in awe as the crowd kept on screaming. The only regret I have from this night was the person I invited to go with me. My fairly new boyfriend was interested in going, but all he did was drink and half complain about how he had to be up early the next morning. That didn’t dampen my spirits though, especially after talking with Chase.
As you can see from the photo on the right, the Honey Hat was passed on to its rightful owner. As soon as Chase saw me, he yelled “Leg!” (my nickname) and gave me a hug. I gave him a series of prints I made for the 1992 EP and his reaction was priceless. He even told me that some of my art is displayed in his kitchen and that alone makes me so happy. These four boys are so talented and humble that it makes me so excited for my future. I can’t wait to create and travel and be on my own. Seeing their success over the years gives me hope that there’s success somewhere out there for me.
36
Atlantic Station March 11, 2016
COIN
Next time I got to see my favorite boys was literally a month later. However, in that month, I got dumped again. This time it was more of a mutual agreement, so it was less healing and more just adjusting to being alone more often. So, I braved the cold March rain at an outdoors St. Patrick’s Day show while standing on a barrel the whole time. I was so short I couldn’t see over the crowd, so the friend I was with pointed out a barrel that was holding up the tent and I took the chance. While balancing on a barrel and shivering so much I almost couldn’t hold my phone, I had one of the greatest nights of my life. I had never been so happy and carefree.
Speaking of carefree, I literally had nothing to care about during this show. After the show, I went home for spring break, so there were no assignments or deadlines looming above me. While I didn’t think that would make a difference, I found myself enjoying the show so much more than I thought I could. Yes, I was freezing, but I could just soak in the music and enjoy the moment without worrying about the next day. After the show, Chase and I talked about art, how we’d both cried when he played Lately, and about how Malibu 1992 gives me chills literally every time I listen to it. I don’t know how they did it, but there’s something magic in that sad beach music.
38
The Loft April 14, 2017
Colony House & Knox Hamilton
Wow, Leah’s going to a show that isn’t Coin? I’m shocked. While I literally have no pictures from this night, this show is probably the show where I did the most healing emotionally. Before the show, I had made a tweet predicting what was going to happen during Knox Hamilton’s set. I said I was going to throw up from excitement during their song Pretty Way To Fight. However, I ended up sobbing while they played their song The Heights. I was supposed to go to this show with the boy I took to Coin in Athens, but that obviously didn’t work out and I guess that song just got me stirred up. I went up to the band after the show and told them what happened and how much I appreciated them for that moment. We both thanked each other and ended up hugging it out.
Not only did I get ditched by my ex, but I also got ditched and ghosted by my backup. Emotions were high and the process of figuring out where to go from being completely ignored was filled with listening to a lot of Colony House. So naturally, I was very emotional during their set as well. I vividly remember someone yelling “AMEN” after the line “well maybe I’m a part of something that’s bigger than me” from This Beautiful Life and I lost it. I was a mess. These two boys ruining my fun wasn’t the end of the world. I had bigger things to move on to. So, with inspiration running through me, I left this show to focus on my education and future career. I was back, and more emotionally stable than ever.
40
The Visulite Theatre May 10, 2017
COIN Seeing Coin for the sixth time almost exactly 2 years from the very first time I saw them was an experience. Ever since that fateful June night when I first saw them I had been tweeting, making hats, and making art to influence Coin to play Honey. Little did I know that this show would be the show. After tweeting my honeycomb tattoo to the band while in line, I was recognized during It’s A Trap. Afterwards, out of nowhere in the dark, Chase started singing the chorus to Honey. There’s never been a moment in my life where I’ve felt so overwhelmed. All my friends around me were turning around to see me already a mess and in tears at this gesture. Never in my life had I felt so special and loved.
Hearing Honey live felt like a culmination of so many years of waiting. I’d found this band a few months after they released their first EP and had stuck with them for 5 years. I was a new woman who was on medication for her anxiety and ready to take on the world. This one song is so important to me and Chase taking the time to sing it specifically for me was wild. Like I said before, they make me want to pursue my passions and strive to be a better artist every day. If these four boys from Nashville can live their dream, why can’t I?
42
The Orange Peel November 3, 2017
COIN
This show was the first time I ever heard Hannah live. I have a weird hierarchy when it comes to Coin songs, so let’s just say Hannah is up there with my favorites. This song specifically helped me deal with my anxiety. Whenever I would try to talk myself out of going places due to my anxiety, I would literally whisper to myself “How will you know if you never try?” It became a mantra I repeated constantly. It was such a powerful, yet small question.
The release of How Will You Know If You Never Try came at a really opportune time. I was just about to finish my freshman year of college and was feeling renewed. Hannah in particular is tied with Heart Eyes for my favorite song off the album. Both of those songs encapsulate so much of my life into just a couple of minutes and being able to scream “ hold your head up high” with a couple hundred other confused and struggling twenty somethings was more powerful than you’d think. After waiting in the rain to meet Chase after the show, I was greeted with my customary “Leg!” and a hug. I gave him a letter which really just explained why I’ve stuck with them for so long. I also gave them some prints I had been working on. While I called myself the worst for always bringing art to shows, Chase corrected me and said I was the best for bringing art. Barely 20 year old me wanted to cry because I realized it was no longer a one sided thing for them. There was no distinction between band and fan. We were cheering them on and they were cheering us on. We’re family. A Coin show is home.
44
The Fillmore Charlotte November 10, 2017
Saint Motel
My other birthday present to myself was to finally see Saint Motel. I had fallen in love with Saintmotelevision after its release in 2016, but the band just hadn’t been anywhere near me other than festivals. Seeing this band live was everything I’d ever hoped for. They were dynamic, passionate, and just overall excited to be on stage putting on an amazing show. I was personally just amazed at the whole production. The commercials during set changes, the cameras on stage, and even the brass section was phenomenal. I always loved the entire aesthetic of Saintmotelevision, so to see it executed in person was amazing. This was also around the same time I was working on projects for my design classes that required conceptualizing an overall aesthetic for a project and making it come to life. Seeing a successful example really helped me.
Saint Motel is just feel good music to me. I can never be upset while listening to them. I’m instantly transported to a modern retro dream world. It’s all so consistent and strong in its concept. I can’t help but subconsciously base a lot of my art off of the themes and aesthetics this band has created. I’m heavily inspired by the 60s and 70s, so I’m drawn to music that reminds me of those decades. Specifically Daydream/Wetdream/Nightmare really inspires me and I can’t ever get enough of that song.
46
The Ritz Ybor February 3, 2018
COIN So driving 10 hours and waiting another 10 in line just to see Coin live is maybe the craziest thing I’ve done... However, it was all worth it because I got to see my favorite Nashville boys with my favorite Florida boy: Corbin. This was the first Coin show I took my boyfriend to. While he was slightly jealous of Chase Lawrence and still is, it was worlds better than previous times I’ve taken significant others to concerts. This boy put up with waiting in line for 10 hours and waiting 2 after the show just to see Chase. They played two new songs which I instantly fell in love with. Growing Pains and Youuu were just the bops I needed to get me through the spring semester.
I’ve never heard a song and instantly fallen in love like I did with Youuu. Usually when artists play songs live for the first time it’s really hit or miss, but these boys hit it spot on. After the show I got to talk to Chase briefly and was told something I’d never really thought about before. Chase reminded me that I’d been around since they were playing shows for like 7 people and now I’m still here today. He wrote out lyrics on blank stickers from a song that hasn’t been released yet, but they resonate so deeply with me. “I’m always in the way, but you love me anyways.” This is exactly how I feel in relationships. I’m annoying and excitable, but somehow people still enjoy my presence and love me. Seeing how shocked Coin is at their fan base is exactly how I feel in most of my relationships. Why would anyone wanna stick around and deal with my antics? During this time in my life, I found someone who actually does want to stick around and deal with me, despite how crazy I think that sounds. Listening to sad love songs is no longer as relatable as it used to be. It’s weird to know you’ve moved on from past heartbreak, but also comforting to know you’re stronger than you used to be.
48
The Buckhead Theatre February 7, 2018
COIN
So, remember that show at The Orange Peel back in November? Apparently this kid from my school was there and I didn’t even know it. Now he’s like, my twin. Honestly didn’t even know a person so much like me could even exist, but there he is. After being blown away by Coin in Tampa I bought a ticket for their show in Atlanta immediately after. I didn’t want to go alone, so I asked my long lost twin brother: Ethan. From there it’s all history.
Coin said a long time ago that they wanna make music you can cry and dance to at the same time. I never understood the weight of that description until this show. Standing in the back gives you such an amazing opportunity to just take everything in and live in the moment. After the show, Chase didn’t greet me with the typical “Leg!” but rather a “What are you doing here?” since I had just seen them 4 days earlier. They also said something about how they were just talking about my art earlier that day and it made me wanna cry. I don’t know if they know how much that means to me. Knowing that at least they appreciate what I make drives me to keep creating. (Youuu was even better the second time too.)
50
Vinyl March 8, 2018
Vista Kicks
Vista Kicks is one of those bands that kinda comes out of nowhere. First it’s just a few casual plays on Spotify then all of a sudden it’s a full blown obsession. Their 70s inspired booty shaking rock and roll drew me in and I don’t think it’ll ever let me go. I also thought I would never find another band who is so deeply connected with their fans, but here they are. Just as I would cheer them on and dance, they would do they same, responding with big grins and dance moves of their own. It felt like a mutual experience that I never wanted to end. This was one of those sets that felt like it went on forever, but I was still sad it eventually ended. I could listen to these boys play all night.
This show came at the end of one of the worst weeks of my life. I’d wrecked my car, had two project critiques, and even managed to get myself into an artistic rut. However, this show washed away all of those worries. I’ll always remember dancing to Gotta Get Away in the dark and feeling like nothing else mattered. After the show I met up with Derek and Trevor and told them thanks for the amazing night. After saying I was alone and didn’t have anyone with me, Derek told me “When you’re at one of our shows, you’re never alone.” I’d never thought about it like that, but afterwards I couldn’t stop thinking about how much sense that made. We’re all rooting for each other.
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Infinite Energy Center April 14, 2018
LORDE
I never in my life expected to get a text from my dad that said “Do you wanna go see Lorde next week?” Pure Heroine was my favorite album of 2013 and Melodrama brought all those feelings back in a way I never could’ve imagined. Of course I immediately answered back with a “YES” in all caps. One week later, we were dead center of the floor and Sober started playing. I’ll never get over the theatrics of it all. I get so used to going to small shows in clubs that I forget the production value that goes into an arena tour. Every little detail is thought about. Lorde had a long rectangular room with windows on every side that her dancers interacted with as it was raised and lowered throughout the show. I’ve never been so in love with a performance. Every single moment was absolutely breathtaking.
There were several moments that really had me in awe throughout the night. During Yellow Flicker Beat, one dancer was raised up in the room and danced as it was tilted and moved. The imagery was perfectly presented with the music. Another powerful moment was when she quick changed on stage. It wasn’t sexual or teasing. It was a stark and calm moment that was intimate and revealing. Before Writer In the Dark, she went on a tangent about how it’s so hard to find love as an artist. Artists are stubborn and emotional and our creativity can sometimes overpower us. Everything we see becomes inspiration. We can’t help it. We are writers, painters, poets, sculptors, and artists. If people can’t love us that’s their problem. I honestly started sobbing during this and didn’t stop till the end of the show. If I could be half the great artist Lorde is, I would be satisfied with my life.
the end
UNTIL I GO TO MORE CONCERTS....