Summer Fest :)

... Once upon a time, there were three girls named Carly, Jenny, and Sara. Long ago, these three best friends were all employed at the worlds best grocery store, Mariano's in Vernon Hills, IL. One day at work, Jenny and Sara were slaving away, working long hard hours in the bakery, while Carly relaxed and scanned item after item in the front end. The three girls decided to go on break together, and that break.. that very break... would change the way these three girls see Milwaukee, WI. No longer would it just be boring Milwaukee, home of the Brewers, and a place only good for the Rave Eagles Club, no, It would now be the energetic, home of the best two days of summer, and the place where three girls became best friends again.
     Anyways.. basically all that happened on that break was that they decided that they were going to go to Summer Fest and see the Fray. But once they arrived, their night took quite the turn...
     *Back to reality, out of the Fairy tale...* (Carly being a real girl named Carly, Jenny being a real girl named Jenny, and Sara being myself).
     So we all got off work and rushed home to change and quickly get ready for the concert. Of course, I was the only one who had gas in their car so I was forced to drive, but in the end I really didn't mind. So I went and picked up Carly, then Jenny and we made our way.
     When we got the the venue, we had to park, what felt like four miles away, but was only about one mile away in this sketchy parking lot ( I got a parking ticket that night, I was very upset). When we finally got in we found the stage that the Fray was playing at and honestly it was horrible, Not the Fray, but because we got there late, we were stuck way in the back, couldn't see and could barley hear. So we left and tried to find a new concert..
   When we turned around and saw the other crowd, for a band we had yet to hear or know who they were, everyone seemed to be having a blast, so we made our way over there.
   That band ended up being Neon Trees

And again, we were stuck way in the back, but since everyone was dancing, it was quite easy for us to squeeze by and wiggle our way to about the 8th row. 

   Yes, I know I have said that every other concert was my favorite, and I wasn't lying, every concert that I have been to has been incredible, for the most part, but this concert was honestly probably the most fun concert I have ever been too. 

   Between the lead singer, whose name I cannot recall at the moment, the rest of the energy on stage, and the energy in the crowd, it was like I died and went to heaven. 

   Like usual protocol at a concert, we instantly befriended everyone around us and managed to get our selves a spot on the bleachers they had set up. That was when the concert took on a whole other level of fun. One, because now we could actually see and two, because of the people we met. 

Now, I don't remember any of their names because we either didn't ask for their name, or it was so loud that the name just never processed in my head. But they were the most fun people I probably met all summer. ( I even got asked if I went to UM- Milwaukee!.. I was quite flattered that someone thought I was in college). 

   That was the first concert that Jenny, Carly and I went to together, and sadly it was the only concert that we all went to together because I really had a blast and I really hope that we go back again this summer again. 

---ROUND TWO-- SARA AND CARLY EDITION--

So after the first time going to summer fest was a smashing success, Carly and I decided to go again. We actually went with a couple of our other friends to some band that I cant remember the name of, but that show ended up being like scream-o music and Carly and I were not having it. So we decided to venture around again and just try to make people laugh/ annoy people at their concerts, but the next concert we came in contact with happened to be the last one we ventured too.

     After an entire concert of insanely good reggae music, I later found out that we enjoyed a concert by Ziggy Marley,

Bob Marley's son, and wow, it was fantastic. Literally the entire rest of the summer I basically only listened to Reggae because he made me fall in love with it.  

  I have never seen anyone just live in the moment as much as he did and it was outstanding. If I ever became a famous singer I would hope to give off the energy that he gives off the stage. I honestly don't think anyone in that crowd was frowning, and honestly how could you? The concert is purely based on the enjoyment of life. It was astonishing, that is the only word that can come to my mind. Usually after I see an artist once or twice, I am content, but I would really really really like to see him or just an other reggae artist because I had so much fun. 

Pictures Brought to us by:

-http://www.bbgunpress.com/artists/neon-trees/

-http://concerts.eventful.com/Ziggy-Marley  

Ed Sheeran

When I was asked who had the most angelic voice that I have heard, the only person that came to my mind was Ed Sheeran, AKA my ginger Jesus

you can't tell that he is ginger in that picture, but I have that same poster in my room and I love it. 

I honestly have nothing negative to say about Ed, I have seen him twice in concert and both times were just brushing perfection. The first time I saw Ed Sheeran was at the Riviera Theater and it was perfect, it was a little snug on the floor but I still had just enough room to breath. He was touring his first album at the time, +,  and frankly his best album to me. I don't remember the exact set list but wow, I don't I have ever heard a venue full of girls go dead silent when an artist asked them too. When he sang  Kiss Me and Small Bump ( My two favorite songs) I literally got chills, and of course some tears. ( I've come to the conclusion that I cry easy...) Just everything about him is perfect. The way he presents himself, his voice and his music is something I would love to do if I ever got the chance to be a professional singer.

The second time I saw him was at the Rave in Wisconsin. That concert was when he was a bit more popular and it was also a lot more crazy. I went with Alex, and my friends Jenny and Grace. When we go there Jenny and Grace kind of ditched Alex and I and met up with our friend Julie so they could be close to the front. From what they have told me, they had a pretty crappy concert, they both were crying at one point from being shoved and smashed against the fence in the front. Alex and I on the hand were way in the back having a blast. We were dancing and having a great time making fools of our selves.

 When we all met up again after the concert to go home Alex and I couldn't stop taking about how much of a blast we had and I could tell that Jenny and Grace were getting annoyed with us, but honestly I didn't care because they ditched us, but at the end of the day, I knew we all had a good time and that's all that is important.

I think I like his first album better than his second one because its more of him singing, not rapping. He is very good at both but too me, he just sounds better singing. Where as his second album has a few more rapping songs rather than just singing, don't get me wrong. I love his second album too, I actually really like just about every song.

His second album is called, x, and I have not yet seen that album preformed live yet, but if I get the chance I would love to. My favorite song off that album is called Thinking Out Loud  its a love story and the music video is a couple dancing, but the girl is wearing a white dress so it looks like a wedding.

Pictures brought to us by:
-http://cdn.wmgecom.com/production/media/catalog/product/cache/412/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/e/d/edsheeran_lookingatyou_600.jpg

-http://www.worldmusicawards.com/files/4214/0457/1874/1923.jpg

  

//The 1975//

 If you ever needed to go to a chill concert, I would suggest The 1975, at least before they started becoming fairly popular. I have seen Them twice now, would have been three, but unfortunately I could not make it to lollapalooza over the summer.

Anyways, the first time I saw them was in September of 2013 at the Lincoln Hall in the city and that was the first concert I didn't sweat at. As gross as that is, for some reason it has stuck with me. Just the whole environment of them, I love it. Not only the band, but Lincoln Hall as well. It's just so personal and intimate with the artist. It is one of my favorite venues actually.

Besides their flawless music, one huge thing they are known for is black and white and to me, that is pure perfection. I used to just like black and white but ever since getting into The 1975, I'm just drawn to it now and I can't seem to get away from it. In the beginning of the concert, the second time I saw them, it was like they turned the venue black and white, it was the coolest thing I have ever been apart of. I can't find the picture that I took form the concert but this is what it felt like while I was standing there..

  

One of the most emotional parts of the second time I saw them at the Rave  in Milwaukee, WI, was when Matty Healy sang his song called Me. Its about when he tired to kill himself and he sat at the end of the stage with a bottle of wine in his hand, microphone in the other and you could genuinely feel his pain. That was my first time hearing that song because I didn't know the album had three parts until recently -but now I know all three parts by heart- and it was just amazing how the crowd shifted from so up beat to singing along in sorrow with this man, It was breath taking. 

Some of their big popular songs are Chocolate, Sex, and Girls so when they started to play those I went into concert brain and just had a great time. My friends Grace and Juliana can second that those songs bring out my worst dancing because all I do is kind of whip my head and body back and forth at the beat of the music, but to me, there is no other way to dance to that type of music. 

My all time favorite song, which they sang at both concerts is called Robbers just every thing about the song just makes me happy. Which is ironic because it is not a happy song, but its not like a sad song, I don't know, It's just really good. The band is just really good. 

I think the two times I saw them was really good because nothing crazy happened. I just went to the concert and enjoyed myself, I didn't try to be front row or meet them after, I just got to enjoy the concert and that's what I love to do- Just enjoy music- And The 1975 makes it really easy for that to happen. 

 

Pictures brought to us by:

- https://secure.static.tumblr.com/f70f8b3125a3f2ae873b93951ae6f842/enjy1a0/qzdn5f2rm/tumblr_static_the-1975-live.jpg

-http://thesampler.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/The-1975-Graffiti-Bench.jpg

Biggest boy band in the world: One Direction

As hard as I try not to be a fan, I have to admit I fell for One Direction and I fell hard. It all started freshman year when I walked into my first period math class.. I ran up to my best friend Alex and asked her if she had heard that new song What Makes You Beautiful by that band One Direction and she had heard it, and like me, was instantly obsessed. I mean look at them.. if you were a 14 year old girl, how could you not instantly fall in love..
 

I've seen them twice. It should be three, but I couldn't see them the summer in between freshman and sophomore year because the concert was the same night as my brothers graduation party, and honestly.. I haven't really gotten over it.. but anyways other than that I have seen them every summer since (2013 and 2014).

If I said I have experienced a better concert before this, I was lying. When we (Alex and I) arrived at Tinley Park First Midwest Bank Amphitheater our seats were the very last row of seats before the lawn area. So trying to not be upset with where we had seats and just being grateful that we had actual seats, we got in line to enter... WHEN... I heard these two other girls yelling to see if anyone wants two tickets for section 103 row AA seat 9. AKA tenth row off the end of the cat walk.. so me being the loud mouth I am, I literally screamed at them because I knew I had the cash. We bought the tickets from them and sold our other ones and went and found our seats. Oh My Gosh was the only thing I could say. It was my first time seeing this band that I was head over heals in love with. Alex had already seen them in 2012 so yes, she was excited but not nearly as much as I was. 

Their opening act 5 Seconds Of Summer came on stage and I swear Alex and I were the only people in out entire section who knew who they were so we were jamming to their songs and really having a good time! 

Finally, The video started which means there was 60 seconds until the five loves of my life were going to be on stage. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. There they were.. I said I cried a lot at Jonas Brothers..oh my if that was a lot then I cried the equivalent of... a lot okay, trust me it was a

lot. But that was 2013..

2014.. well that's a different story. I bought my tickets for the 2014 concert when I was still deep deep deep into the obsession. But I guess you could say my "Teen life crisis" saved me from another 2013 experience, Towards the end of my junior year, I had some realizations about where I was in my life and I realized that the crazy obsessed fan girl was not who I was anymore. I was going to be a senior in a few months. And in college in a year.. I couldn't be acting like that anymore.. That decision to change was probably one of the best decisions of my life. Just from then, I have grown a lot. 

So Junior year was over and I wasn't really into them anymore and honestly I was scared for the concert because I didn't want to become that person again. So August 30th rolls around and Alex, my friends Laurn and Diya, and I made our way to the city and Solider Field. Our seats again were amazing and I was really looking forward to the show, but this time around there was no tears, like any actually and I was actually kind of surprised because I still "love" them but I wasn't obsessed and it honestly made a huge difference. After the concert I just wanted to go home, and usually Alex and I want to go stalk and try to meet them. It was just very different. I had a blast don't get me wrong, I just grew up and it was necessary.. there were too many ten year old girls there.. 

I still love their music, in fact they just had an album come out and I think its pretty good, but they 

don't consume my life anymore I could not be happier. 

Photos brought to us by: 

- http://thejukepop.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/8wfus0_160677868.jpg

-http://image.thehothits.com/640x360/5_seconds_of_summer_image_2013_640x360.jpg

Country Thunder 2013, 2014 &2015

     We loaded up the car and were on our way to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. Thursday, July 23, 2013 would turn out to be one of the best days of my life.
     When I arrived at Thunder I was quite nervous because I had heard all these stories from my cousins, my brother and his friends, I thought I knew what I was expecting- I was way off. I was right about one thing, the people watching was going to be amazing.
     I parked my car and my friend Alex and I made our way to my cousin Kaitlyn's camp site. Miller P 23. It was toward the back of the camp ground but not quite the end, about a ten minute walk to the main stage. In this ten minute walk, I saw some of the most interesting people I have ever seen in my life. On that one Thursday afternoon, I saw at least five pregnant women wearing a bikini top with the phrase "Cowboy/ Cowgirl to be ( a due date for their beloved child)". By Sunday after noon, the number definitely raised to about 10 women with that same look.
     Like I said, Its interesting.
     The line up for 2013 was insane. I got to see two of my favorite country artist, Jake Owen and Kieth Urban.

Jake Owen performed Sunday night and that was a great concert. Just the whole atmosphere of random drunk strangers is amazing to me because you can look at someone and not know who they are or anything about them but its kind of like a mutual automatic friendship.

   My favorite part of that entire concert was two things actually, the first was when he brought his wife on stage, I think he sang a song to her but I don't really remember but it was precious, and secondly was when all these girls kept going up on the stage while he was singing and getting taken off by the security. It was very comical. 

  Kieth Urban performed Friday night and I'm not going to lie, I was a little salty that I couldn't stay the entire show because my friend had to be home by 10:30 and we were an hour away. But, from what I saw it was amazing, Not necessarily the way he interacted with the crowd, just that he played all of my favorite songs so I had no trouble singing along. I think that concert was really good too because there was a lot of heat lighting going on, and it was just very interesting and I am really glad I was around to check it out. 

Thunder of 2014 definitely qualifies four most interesting days of my life. This summer I one upped my Country Thunder experience by camping out there. (Which is what I will be doing again this summer) Camping there was not my biggest regret of that weekend, my biggest regret of that weekend was the people I chose to camp with. 

   I camped with my cousin and her boyfriend. Worst. Decision. Ever. I have never seen to people fight so much over the stupidest things.

  All of Thursday and Friday I was stuck with them. Alone. And the only thing I had to comfort me was my cell phone with 57% left. Those two days had to have been the longest two days of my life. I'm very serious when I say almost every five minutes was a fight, so you can understand why I would want to not be around them the rest of the weekend,

    Friday night was when the other side of my family and my brother arrived. I swear that was a gift from God. I have never been more thankful in my life to see my brother, 

    So Friday night, I left my one cousin and went to the show with my cousin's girlfriends on my mom's side of the family (the not annoying, constant fighting ones) and we saw Miranda Lambert. Oh My Gosh that woman has lost some weight. She was Amazing! Just everything about that show was fantastic, her voice, her interaction with the crowd and you could just tell she was having a blast up on stage. 

   Having avoided my cousin( the annoying one) for two and a half days now, I figured seeing the last act of the weekend with her was slightly necessary, but don't worry, I had back up with me in case the situation went south. 

  The last act of the weekend was Jason Aldean and he is by far my favorite country artist, so I was ecstatic. Jason Aldean, like Kieth Urban only sang his most popular songs and again, all my favorite songs, so I had an absolute blast at his concert. There was not a dull moment in his performance and I loved it. He closed with my absolute favorite country song called " She's Country" and I have to admit, I did cry a smidge towards the end. 

   This summer is going to be epic because I am going to CT for the third time, and two of the biggest names in Country music are headlining - Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan - and I could not be more excited. I can't wait!

Photos Brought to us by:

http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/tasteofcountry.com/files/2011/06/jake-owen-053111a.jpg

http://www.contactmusic.com/pics/ln/20140114/fox_all_star_party_140114_01/keith-urban-2014-tca-winter-press-tour_4024175.jpg

Jonas Brothers- The day of events

    Here we go. I remember this day perfectly: I was in fifth grade, sitting in Mrs. Stermitz fifth grade class anxiously waiting for the bell to ring. I believe it was a Friday, but let me tell you, this was no average Friday... That Friday I was going to my very first concert: Jonas Brothers. Little did my mother know that Friday would be the worst decision of her life.
   That decision was the worst one of her life because she did not know that I was going to fall in love with the atmosphere of concerts- my second love in life.
  My first love in life was Joe Jonas and let me tell you he was one good looking 18 year old.     

Can't you tell I had great taste..? I thought he was everything the world had to offer, so my mother, being the saint that she is, decided to take me on an adventure to Allstate Arena. 

   There I was at the When you look me in the eyes tour, (still one of my favorite songs by the way), the first thing I saw was the tour bus (and I'm not going to lie, I started to cry) so I sprinted and told my mom the only thing we could do in that situation was getting a picture of me holding the handle on the bus because the Jonas Brothers have touched it. Unfortunately, I haven't got a clue where that picture is, but this is the exactly what it looked like this-

    So after we had our mini photo shoot we got out or tickets and entered the Arena. Oh My God is the only words that could come out of my mouth. The whole scene; girls running all around me, their album- Jonas Brothers  blasting through the whole place and the table of merchandise staring directly at me. I was mesmerized. Although the selection is not as good as it used to be, you can still purchase Jonas brothers merch here: 

   Finally I made my way to my seat, although it wasn't the best seat I've had at a concert, for my first one, I was thrilled. Section 115, probably around row 17ish- all I could think was that "hey, at least I'm not way in the back!".

  I cannot recall the opening act but when the lights went down and they came on stage, it was one of the best experiences of my life. The over- excessive screaming coming from myself and my best friend Carly, and everyone else in the Arena was one the best feelings of my life. Year 3000 started to play and again, I was in tears. At the time, I didn't think I could scream any louder, that was later proven wrong later in the concert and at many more concerts in the future. 

   The best part of that entire concert was when they sang Hello Beautiful (also still one of my favorite songs), the way they got the entire crowd to be quite and make the Arena almost silent was amazing to me, I had never seen anything like it. (obviously, it was my very first concert). Actually their entire set list was just brilliant, you can find it here- And yes, I still do know every word to every song, and yes I do still listen to them on a frequent basis.

Pictures brought to us by: 

http://www.bopandtigerbeat.com/2011/08/whats-your-favorite-joe-jonas-hairstyle/

&&&&

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=DMqYobI_kCa3cM&tbnid=jhj7MfOSyfFOSM:&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FWhen_You_Look_Me_in_the_Eyes_Tour&ei=C28WVO-UKM-GyATo3YCoDg&psig=AFQjCNHcj02uoV8P3CX0vf3HPYk-C6MN7Q&ust=1410842752740462