In honor of SoWhat?! Music Festival which takes place THIS WEEKEND (don't forget to grab your tickets) I thought it would be fun to talk about the time I won not only a concert, but also this amazing experience.
It was around Christmas in 2013 when I first heard about the South By So What?! Festival. I was randomly scrolling through Instagram when I saw a post about potentially winning some passes to this event. This was a thing I constantly loved to test my luck at to see what potentially could happen, I mean it wasn't like I was actually going to win you know? So I just went about my every day life, enjoying my job at Journey's and just trying my best to be as happy as I could be. Life was really rough for me at that time, not even like 2 months before that I had just left an abusive relationship. My mind was in the worst place possible, just looking for any sign that life was worth fighting for. At the time things were actually better then they were before I had moved back to my hometown. I was reconnecting with old friends, and acting as if things had never changed. But, if you had just paid the slightest attention you would have seen that I was not making the best of choices, and my music playlist was one that no one understood. Of Mice and Men's album Restoring Force was constantly on repeat, and I was trying to fake it till I made it. So I was not expecting to log onto Instagram and see that I had actually won anything. I was so excited and terrified at the same time. I had never been to a festival before, how will things workout? Will I fit in? So many thoughts and emotions rushed to the surface as I talked to the amazing team who worked with the production.
We had talked about which show I wanted to attend and who I would stand stage side for each day. So I chose The Attila concert in Austin, Tx. Let me tell you how amazing that experience was. The crowd was insanely energetic, their bodies moving to the beat of the music. It's also a metal show, so what usually happens? Yup you guessed it....A MOSH PIT! That is the one mistake I had made, was deciding I should be up front where most of the pushing and shoving took place. It doesn't matter how many shows you have been too, nothing prepares you for the panic attack you have after getting out of an abusive relationship. That is the one thing I regret doing, because of the people that were around me when it happened. Thankfully, I was able to get to the side of the venue once Attila got on stage and actually enjoy the show. I know what you are thinking, why are you sharing this with us Arya? I'm glad you asked, it's because I want to make sure that the same thing doesn't happen to someone else. I don't want what they went through to keep them from doing what they enjoy. Eventually it does get better as you begin to heal. Now lets get back to this show and talk about these images I have attached. The reason my hair is drenched, because we got way to rowdy when Attila was performing and someone spilt their whiskey on me. Devin and Jeffery were the sweetest guys I have ever met. I enjoyed talking, and getting to know them at that venue. Small venues are amazing, because it sometimes gives you the opportunity to chat with the artists and get to know them. I sometimes wish that we could go back to this day and just relive it. I was telling Jeffery about the time I had walked into Hot Topic and I saw their CD for the first time. Y'all I literally squealed in the middle of the store, because they had made it. I knew with how talented they were that one day I would be holding their CD. It was seriously surreal, and I long to see them perform again. Oh, we can not forget about Devin. The first time we met he complimented my shirt, which totally broke the ice. We laughed and I wish I could remember what we talked about. I just remembering him being super bubbly and so kind, and just seeing all the growth the had done since their song What This Means To Me....man words just simply can't describe it. Those guys KNOW how to put on a show.
So the night ended and we went back to the hotel to get some shut eye. The coolest thing happened the next morning when I went down for breakfast, guess who was all down there? The entire crew from Capture The Crown. Who would have known that they chose the EXACT same hotel as me to stay at. So naturally I had to talk to their roadies who were cool af. Needless to say even with some mishaps in that trip it is one that I will never forget. It was an experience that I hope to experience again some day.
Spring break was rolling in fast, and oh man was I pumped for the festival. I bought new outfits, made sure I had enough money for extra food/drinks and of course the MERCH. With Of Mice and Men blaring through my speakers we headed to Arlington to start this adventure. I felt like I was in some sort of movie, there was no way in hell this was real. Heart pounding, my breath getting caught in my throat I went up to the window to retrieve our V.I.P passes. Finally it was time to enter the stadium, and oh man....it was mind blowing. There was merch tables set up at every turn, with little popup shops between them and the place was huge! Okay, maybe it was just huge to me, because we'll I didn't get out much, but moving on. There was a table where Bring Me the Horizon sat autographing things for fans. From up where we were we could see the stages out towards the baseball fields. All my nerves were washed away. These were my kind of people, the ones who loved music just as much as me. I was so pumped to finally see I See Stars play again. The energy of the crowd was so insane. This was way bigger then the shows I had experienced back in my home town. We were all so close to each other and singing our hearts out. For some reason, I don't remember every band I saw from the first day, but I do remember everyone that I had talked to after standing stage side for Taking Back Sunday and watching The Used perform. I really wish I would have taken photos of The Used's set it was very theatrical, which I had never experienced before. Also, I had never been on stage with a band's family before and being able to experience what they experienced. I didn't have the opportunity to actually meet the band, but they sure as hell put on an amazing performance.
After that was all said and done we wandered back up to where the merch tables were. I See Stars merch table was the first and last one we stopped at before venturing towards the after party. I chatted with them and hung out with their crew as well as talking to other artists that came by. Spencer Charnas was such a cool and humble guy. It was so amazing just talking and getting this photo with him. It's been amazing watching Ice Nine Kills just grow into these mega Rockstars. Their music has always been amazing, and I hope to be able to see them live again. I also really want to me his girl, because she looks dope as hell and like someone I could totally just chill with. Anyways, it finally comes time for all of us to change locations so I See Stars could get set up. It started out like any kind of dance where the music is playing, but everyone else was just kind of there talking away. Their tech guys
put on some really cool music and the band just starts busting random dance moves and I joined in. We are all having a grand 'ol time and finally everyone else just starts dancing. It was SURREAL, like something you would just see in the movies. I didn't pay attention to them filming us, and didn't realize that they were filming a music video for New Demons. I'll attach that music video once I am done talking about day one. We basically all danced to our hearts content, I watched Danny Worsnop having a grand 'ol
time, walked past Jeffree Star and finally got the opportunity to talk to Andy Glass from We Came as Romans. It wasn't a very long convo, just kind of quick enough to get a photo with him
and Devin and we were headed out to get some rest for the next day. It was truly a night that I will never forget.
I will say the one thing I regret most is not staying for the three days. The second day was heavily overcasted with a high chance of rain, but you know it's Texas. Sometimes it's right and other times the sky likes to tease us then wander off to a different part of the state. We were able to get through Chiodos and Myka Relocate just fine. But, when it came time for Attila it just started down pouring. Everyone was sharing a poncho with someone and every now and again we would peek our heads out to see what was going on. Attila wasn't aloud to play and Fronz just comes out drinking a @#$%& Capri sun. It was the funniest thing at the moment as the disappointment washes over me. None of the bands will really be able to play now till the rain clears up. That was the day I was suppose to stand stage side for Of Mice and Men. Instead of just waiting it, I ended up chatting with some of the bands and just heading back to the hotel. I even missed the after party, and I deeply regret making that decision. Bring Me The Horizon was one of the bands that was suppose to be performing, and everyone said is was dope. I just know the next time I am able to experience V.I.P again I am soaking that all in. You can't control the weather, nor should you just make decisions solely on emotion. You will end up regretting it later.
Myka, Relocate Me and Myka, Relocate
Guitarist from Chiodos Lead singer of Chiodos
We are officially to the week of the festival. I highly recommend you add this one to your lists for this year. The line up is sick and they have multiple genres with some phenomenal artist. If you haven't already you should grab your tickets now. This is not an event you want to miss.
If you do go, please share your experience in the comments and I hope you all have a wonderful time! Good night :)
www.sowhatmusicfestival.com
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