Playing the music you love in a different city every night. Hundreds of girls clad in your merchandise screaming at the top of their lungs when you simply walk on stage. You don't even have to have an incredible performance to receive this kind of response, and you hope no one notices. This is the life of the rising pop/rock band Metro Station. I know because I was on the other side. My name is Terry Bartley, I'm a music fan. This is my story. The story of how the one thing you love to do more then anything else in the world can become disenchanted.
About a month ago one of my friends invited me to a show at the Orlando House of Blues to see The Maine, Metro Station, Boys Like Girls and Good Charlotte. I never turn down a rock show and I've loved Good Charlotte since their self-titled debut. I also really enjoy Metro Station's recent debut and was very excited to see what they'd be like live. After saving up a little cash and packing for the over 800 mile trek from West Virginia, I was ready for this show.
For those of you who haven't been to the House of Blues, one important tip from one music fan to the other is to always show up early enough to have your a meal at the House of Blues restaurant before the show. You get early entry to the show, and if you're going to one as popular as the one I went to, you'll thank me later. The food is amazing and everyone's gotta eat, so it's kind of a no brainer.
As I stood in line, I noticed a mass of 14-year-old scene girls. At some point during the four years I've been out of high school, the once outcast emo girl has become the popular valley girl, I'm not sure when this happened, but it confuses me. With this realization, it hit me that with the exception of a few parents, my friends and I were going to be some of the oldest people there, at our ripe old age of 22. This is when I should have gotten suspicious of how this show would turn out, yet I was excitedly oblivious.
Article comments
1 - Tanya
It is refreshing to hear someone who is not bashing Good Charlotte. Thank you for seeing them the way all us GC fans see them. They are a wonderful band, especially live!!!
2 - Mallory
I was there too and I completely agree!
I also saw Panic At The Disco, The Hush Sound, Motion City Soundtrack and Phantom Planet there earlier this year on the Honda Civic Tour. It wasn't too crazy and I was one of the few emo/scene kids I saw there. I decided to go to this one because of my good experience before (i.e.; both Honda Civic Tour dates and Edwin McCain a few years ago). I went to this one to see Good Charlotte and The Maine. The Maine was pretty good and Good Charlotte was AWESOME. Metro Station was really under par for me. I expected more out of them but seeing Trace made me laugh. He looked EXTREMELY uncomfortable and nervous. That made up for their lack of skill, haha. Mason Musso (the other lead singer) really does remind me of Patrick Stump. I really like the Jonas Brothers but I am not paying hundreds of dollars a ticket to have little 12-year old teenies scream in my ear about how hot they are.
I'm glad you had fun and who cares if you are the oldest ones there?!?! Tell them you bite, wear some fake vampire fangs and show them. They won't bother you then! This works-- I should know, I have done it a few times!
After that show, I am not going to the House Of Blues again for another pop/rock show. (With the exception of seeing Cobra Starship in November).
I am sticking to festivals and arenas from now on!
My comment sounds extremely funny coming from a 13-year old girl.
3 - pam
..boys like girls where there 2!!! <3