ocean avenue

Friday, Sept. 6th, Yellowcard had one of their concert tours at the House of Blues in Boston. I was lucky enough to attend with an old friend of mine. 

It was also my first concert, not to mention it was Yellowcard's. 

I basically left right after my class on Friday, and got to the House of Blues around 6pm. My friend Terry had arrived there just minutes before. 

The line wasn't very long when we got there, but it did pick up around 6:30pm ish. They had the fan split up into two lines, one VIP and another without VIP. 

Even though we're in the VIP line, this person came over to us and asked if we're over 21. We said yes and he told us we could go hang out and wait in their bar, instead of waiting outside in line. We, of course, jumped on the opportunity and went to get our two bracelets (I believe one's for the ticket and another for the bar). We stepped through the door into a dimmed hallway, and after a few turns, we arrived in the bar. 

It was a total change of atmosphere; there were a lot of couches, tables, seats, and it was not nearly as crowded as it was outside. We were on empty stomachs so we didn't get any alcohols, only water. Few other people got drinks, we thought it was exciting enough to even skip the line and wait inside in the bar, so we weren't too bummed about it. 

And then I met Charlotte, my pen pal from Sheffield, England!

We actually talked the day before the concert, trying to see if we can plan out how to meet up and work out the times and such. I was slightly bummed out when she told me she got into the VIP bar as I was still waiting in line, but when the guy came over to invite us in, I knew I can find her before the concert started! 

After few chats here and there, time passed fairly quickly and it was time to get situated. We had almost an hour to wait before the show actually started, so we kinda just stood there, took in the atmosphere, and had a few quick chats with the other fans. 

As 8 o'clock hit, the lights shifted their hue and intensity; bass boomed for the introduction of another artist, Geoff Rickly, who will start off the concert with a few pieces of his own. He was a pretty cool person and a rather laid back personality, but I feel like his songs are rather negative and dark. He was ok. 

A little before 9pm, with the closing of Rickly's performance, the staff came and further prepared the stage for the main course. It took them almost 20 mins, if I recall correctly, before the stage is ready. Fans were going crazy already at this point, and I couldn't imagine what they'd be once it begins. 

9pm. Ryan Key led his band out onto the stage from the right of the stage. Crowd went berserk. I was so excited to be there, to be not even 10 feet away from Yellowcard. 

They played the pieces from Ocean Avenue acoustic album in sequential order. I didn't know that they're going to do that, but I was glad they did because Back Home was an amazing song to end the album. The acoustic album ended with a 15 min ish break, and then continued the show with a full electric set of both new and old songs, with Ocean Avenue once again as the finale. 

Words cannot describe my experience, so I guess I will just post more pictures. 

I should have charged my phone completely before going to the concert, but instead the concert started with 50% battery left so I wasn't able to do take too many photos and record too much of it. 

It was phenomenal. Simply phenomenal. Being there with the band that changed my life, that contributed so much of who I am today, and was with me through so much of my life...it was truly surreal. 

"Enjoyed" is an understatement; "loved it" is also an understatement. It felt as if I saw myself live my own life right in front of me, through the past 7-8 years, with every beat and melody resonating through every flashback. 

My friend Terry was the person who introduced Yellowcard to me back in high school, perhaps even freshman year, which makes it almost 8 years ago. I am beyond grateful and lucky that he has time and could go with me. A shout out to Terry being an amazing friend :)

To wrap up this post, I want to say that this concert was perhaps one of the best things that had ever happened to me, and I will continue to try my best to go see them whenever they are touring. 

Sorry it's been such a long post, but I wanted to do a small reflection on my experience there. I hope you fans out there enjoyed it, and if you're not a fan of Yellowcard yet, please please please check them out. They will not disappoint you :) 

-Tim

P.S. maybe you can join me next concert, Ann :)