Regan and I had quite the adventure earlier this week!
As you may know, I am a pretty big fan of Fall Out Boy! Earlier this year I found out they would be in Columbus, so, in exchange for something of equal price that Regan wanted (haha), I got my wish to go see them!
The line ahead of us (and a bit behind us, too!)
Well, it rained off and on until about the last hour we spent in line - then it just flat out poured. I have never been more grateful for spending .99$ in my whole life than I was for those ponchos!
Wet but happy!
The line kept condensing and we couldn't figure out why - then we saw all the wristbands. I guess at this concert, it was possible to buy "early entry" bands as well as "meet and greet" bands, both of which let you get in early. We actually were pretty close to the front of the "regular" line.
The opened the gates at around 5:30 and we were able to get through quickly and find a spot only about 4 rows back from the barrier. It was still raining, and continued to rain through the first couple of bands! Did I mention this was an outdoor concert?? haha!
The first band to play was called Hey Monday!
http://www.heymondaymusic.com/us/home
They were cute and their music was catchy! I enjoyed their set despite the rain. Regan and I agreed that their sound equipment must have been messing up, though, because the vocalist was really hard to hear! I will probably look them up more later, though. I liked what I heard.
The next band was Cobra Starship!
http://www.cobrastarship.com/index.php
Not gonna lie...I wasn't a huge fan. They were ok, but non memorable for me. The lead singer was really tall! And they had a keytar player, which is kind of cool. But they dropped more F-bombs than I've ever heard in an MC before and I just think that's tacky. They seemed pretty popular with the audience, though. Just not my thing, I guess. It finally stopped raining towards the end of their set, which was really nice! But, around that same time, the pushing started. It got so tight in there it was hard to breath!! Gotta love it!
Then came Metro Station!
http://www.metrostationmusic.com/us/home
They were really good! The lead singer had a huge mouth, though! It was like Steven Tyler or something haha. But they played their two singles, "Seventeen Forever" and "Shake It" and also a cover of T.I.'s "Dead and Gone" - over all, I really enjoyed their set! They were engaging and played really well. Plus, it always helps when I can recognize, and sing along to, some songs during a show. It makes it a lot more enjoyable.
Finally it was time for the last opening band, All Time Low!
http://www.myspace.com/alltimelow (I can't find their official website)
They were pretty good, I guess. I don't really remember, to be honest. They didn't make a very big impression. Plus, by this point, the crowd was so rough that Regan and I were using most of our energy to just keep our place! The good news is that we got shoved up to second row! It was awesome!!! I was trying to save most of my energy for Fall Out Boy because I knew they'd probably play a decently long set, so I didn't really get into any of the opening bands that much. For me, the opening bands at this show were totally 50/50 - 50% were pretty good and 50% were complete torture!
When All Time Low said they were about to play their last song, I was so relieved!! It was FINALLY time for what I came for! Before they came out, there was just random rap music playing. They actually played some really good stuff, though, and the girl next to me (mind you, we're all pretty much on top of each other) asked me "Do you listen to a lot of Rap music or something? You've been singing along to like...every song" and I just laughed and said that I like nearly every kind of music. I thought it was a funny moment.
FALL OUT BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, Fall Out Boy!
http://www.falloutboyrock.com/default.aspx
They were fantastic. Last time I saw them, I was in a stadium seat far from the stage. This time, I was 2nd row behind a short girl and had a perfect, up-close, view! It was great. There is nothing like being front in a concert, packed in with hundreds of other fans, screaming along to songs you could sing backwards in your sleep! What a rush! Regan was standing right behind me, too! There were crowd surfers everywhere, which is weird for me. Believe it or not, I've never been up front in a show with crowd surfing. I've been up front for tons of Japanese bands here in the States, but never for an American band. Anyway, it was crazy. Butts and legs kept landing on my head - Regan's glasses even got smashed by some guy rolling over top of us! I don't think I'm much of a fan for that. The show was still really good, though. The set list was amazing:
Set List (in no order):
She's My Winona
Dance Dance
Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet
A Little Less Sixteen Candles, a Little More Touch Me
Sugar, We're Going Down
I Don't Care
America's Sweethearts
This Ain't a Scene, it's an Arm's Race
Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes
Coffee's For Closers
Watch a Catch, Donnie
Thriller
Thnks fr th Mmrs
I Slept With Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song
Where is Your Boy Tonight
Beat It (cover - Michael Jackson)
Hey Ya (cover - Outcast)
They played almost all of my top FOB songs (including my all time fave, "A Little Less Sixteen Candles,...")
So my and Regan's first concert together was a super good time! We were very sore and tired afterwards, and I had to drive home because of Regan's broken glasses - but that's perfect, don't you think?
