I couldn’t believe it. I was in line for a band that has meant a lot to me, especially as I grew up. The line was around the corner, and past some restaurants down a long, narrow alley way. My friend and I rushed to the House of Blues before six when we thought the concert started then, except the doors only opened at that time. However, we got inside, and got a great spot that was at least ten to fifteen feet away from the stage. People were filing in one after the other, and by the time the concert started, the whole place was practically packed near the entrance (where you came down the stairs). There was also an upper level as well, but I assume that it was quite full too.
As it started, there were two bands that played before Simple Plan, and each one was unique in their own way. I really loved the first band, Story Untold, who have been playing for a year, and they already sound like professionals (well, close enough). Their music reminds me a little of Simple Plan, and I really recommend them to anyone who is into punk/rock music. The group even did a cover song from Justin Bieber's "Love Yourself," and it was the BEST version that I ever heard. After the concert, I got to meet the band members, and got their autographs on their CD cover. They were really sweet guys!
The next band was Hit the Lights, who were good (but didn’t really suite my taste), and have been playing for about thirteen years. They had great music, but they played so many songs (I think eight) that my interest slowly started to drag away.
As the bands switched their equipment to perform, it took FOREVER (half hour to forty-five minutes), but each wait was worth it. Mostly, the wait before Simple Plan, because you could feel the anticipation growing with every minute. I was so excited that I was already jumping to music that hasn’t been played yet, but the songs I knew from over the years were.
Simple Plan has been a band that has been together for fifteen years, and they still have the same band members from when they started. Most of them are now married, but they still looked the same from all these years. For me, it was my second concert, but my first time to see Simple Plan. Ever.
Finally, as the screen went blank, and was moving up, everyone was screaming. Simple Plan was coming out on the stage, and flashes of lights were everywhere. The energy was raised over nine-thousand, and Simple Plan simply brought that same energy back as they performed. The music was so loud, the noise itself was passing through me as I stared amazingly at the five band members before me. I couldn't grasp right away that I was seeing them as they walked out, but then I screamed along with the crowd as they positioned themselves. They greeted us, like we were long time friends, and started off with "Opinion Overload," a song from their new album Taking One for the Team (an awesome album, one might say).
The band played songs back from 2002 till today, and each one brought certain memories. One song that really provoked me was "Welcome to My Life," and as I started singing along, I didn't realize until the chorus that I was crying. There was so much mixed emotions inside me that I just cried. I was excited that I got to see them perform it, I was upset from the memories that made me cry, and yet, I was glad that I could feel a connection between the band and I. The song is very powerful, and if you haven't heard it, look it up right now. You won't regret it.
As the night went on, they stopped for a while, and played American songs from the summer as we bounced huge blow-up balls around as if we were at a beach. And they even sang the Scooby-Doo theme song! For those who don't know, they were the group that sang for the theme song for that cartoon.
Simple Plan band members, mostly Pierre Bouvier and David Desrosiers, were being very comical as they told jokes, remarks, and even by their actions. During the end David Desrosiers put on a bra over his shirt, and even held his manly area as he sang a really high note. It was hysterical! Sadly, my phone died before I could get anymore pictures, but that doesn't mean someone has already posted them.
Sadly, the concert came to an end, and I still wanted to hear more songs. I'm sure everyone there did. Luckily, (since I waited till after the concert) I got the Simple Plan album and a necklace to keep for memories. I probably could've stayed there all night, and never leave. Whenever the next tour is, I will be there, and more pumped to see them again. If I had learned anything that night, it would be to be proud of who I am and not "to apologize for who I am (And I Refuse) to ever let somebody say that I can't" ("I Refuse" by Simple Plan).
