In the month that I have been here, I’ve gone to two concerts already. Which isn’t all that surprising, if you know me. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: if I could only spend money on one non-essential thing the rest of my life, it would be concerts.
First one I went to was the Band CAMINO, a small alternative band from Memphis, Tennessee. I think I started listening to them three or four years ago? Shout out Nate Dufrin for that one, sent me 2/14, the Black and White and My Thoughts on You and it was over. If you want to get into listening to them, start there. But anyway, the last year or so they’ve become one of my favorite bands. I have yet to dislike anything they put out.
So of course, when I saw their European tour get posted and it started right after I arrived, I knew I had to go. The Amsterdam date sold out before I bought tickets, so to Belgium I went. It was only about two hours by bus so it wasn’t bad. Crazy side story, when Shelly and I checked into our hostel, one of the other girls who was staying there arrived and we discovered we were all there to see the same concert. Guys, I’m not kidding, we are like the same person. Her name is Lauren and I felt like I found a kindred music soul all the way in Europe. She’s from the US, too and we spent the rest of the day together and it was one of the most fun nights I’ve had.
The concert itself was perfect *chef’s kiss*. The venue was tiny and there was maybe 80 people there. No joke. We were front row and it was just magic. They were so good live and there were multiple times that the lead singer locked eyes with me and we both sang the song. It’s fine, I’m fine, everything’s fine.
We also met a couple from the US/Canada who live in Dubai and were traveling and they were hilarious. We went and got drinks with them after and it was a blast. I wish I could describe them in a way that did them justice but I can’t. Let’s just say that Kim and Christian are kind of the coolest power couple I’ve met. Overall, top three concert I’ve seen. Partly because I loved their energy live and partly because they were able to connect so well with everyone in the crowd.
Besides that, Antwerp was really cool for the day we got to spend there. We went to the Chocolate Nation factory and museum and it was so cool. It was by far the best chocolate I’ve ever tasted in my whole life. 10/10 would recommend.
Concert #2 included a whole weekend to London (!!!!!) and it was a dream until flying home (but we’re not gonna talk about that right now. or ever). We arrived Friday afternoon and had a more chill day, just went to a fantastic pub and then did a bus tour at night. Saturday, we walked around central London for a solid six hours. It was incredible, all the architecture and history in the city is just so cool and I loved it. Except I hated the tube. It was so dirty and packed usually and hot. Also they’re kind of sketchy trains. It’s my least favorite European public transportation thus far. Its only perk was really the fact that they ran all night and so often so getting back from the concert was easy.
Let me put this concert into a little more context: it was basically my musical dream to see the 1975 live at the O2 arena in London. It’s a huge arena that they always sell out two nights of every tour and the atmosphere is off the walls. I think junior year of high school was when I really got into their music and they might be my favorite band. So I got floor tickets by some miracle in January because they released 100 more right when I looked again after failing to get them the first time around. I managed to make my way pretty close to the stage, maybe four rows of people away? It was insane.
This was definitely the best concert I’ve ever been to. The energy in that arena was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Their sets are absolutely incredible and they are such good performers. On top of that, they played two unreleased songs from their new album :’)
I thought I was going to pass out after, though, my body was exhausted from the day and standing for five hours at the concert, singing every song at the top of my lungs.
I couldn’t have asked for better concerts so far. There’s nothing quite like seeing songs you’ve listened to for hours on end live, in the flesh by the artists who put their heart and soul into the music.
I’m so grateful to get to have these experiences. These are the memories I’ll never forget as long as I live. Nights where I was truly living.
Next concerts as of right now are Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker in Amsterdam in May. Possibly Lewis Capaldi in Dublin in June. Can’t wait to tell you all about it.
a midwestern girl in a European world 