the Fray and Jack's Mannequin 6/20/09

Last night was amazing. I've always said that I love going to concerts for the headliner and simultaneously falling in love with the opener, but I now know that it is just as magical the other way around. The main reason I attended last night's concert at the Chevrolet Theater was because Jack's Mannequin was opening. I would not have cared if I hated the headliner - after all, I wasn't a huge Paramore fan but I saw them anyway just to see Jack's. And don't get me wrong, I've always liked the Fray. I just don't think I would have fought so hard for an 8th row ticket if my favorite band wasn't opening. But as amazing as it was, the entire day yesterday...it didn't feel like I was going to a show. Usually I have trouble falling asleep the night before because of how jittery I am, and I wake up unusually early for the same reason. However, yesterday I went about my day normally, almost forgetting that I had to be at Bailey's house later. Even my mother commented that I was strangely calm about this. And I was. I think it was because there have been numerous occasions where I counted down the days to a show - but being so caught up in schoolwork and everything, I didn't with this show. It was like I fought for my ticket, got it, and then in the flurry of everything else, forgot about the show, thinking it was always out of reach while it was actually looming closer.

I didn't even comprehend the fact that I was seeing Jack's when I got to Bailey's house, or when we were driving there, or when we arrived. It didn't hit me until I sat down in my amazingly close 8th row seat and saw the equipment box that had "Jack's Mannequin" printed on the sides and top. That was when it hit me. I should have felt uncomfortable, sitting by myself, surrounded by people who would probably hate me in a few minutes because of how obnoxious I am during Jack's shows. But I wasn't. As shy and terrified of embarrassment as I am, all of those trivial concerns and character flaws seem to dissipate when Jack's Mannequin takes the stage. Their music unties all of the strings tightly wound around me, preventing me from opening up too much or relaxing. From the first to last note Andrew played on his piano, I was, for once, truly happy and carefree. There was not a single worry in my anxiety ridden mind and for that I will be forever grateful for all the members of Jack's Mannequin. At one point, Raksha turned to me and said, "This is so surreal." But those words cannot begin to explain the feeling. I pity the people who feel they need drugs to experience something beautiful; how do they not see? Music is the most powerful, intoxicating, addicting drug there is.

After the incredible energy Jack's brought, I wondered how the Fray was going to live up to that. After all, the majority of their songs are slower - and how embarrassing would that be, falling into the shadow of your opening band? I do like the Fray but I was wary of their stage presence. Thankfully, they washed away my doubts. They were not as energetic as Jack's, but they have this strangely powerful stage presence. It's hard to explain but I guess it's sort of like how people always lean in to hear what quiet people have to say because even though they're not outgoing, they have just as strong of a presence. Isaac and the rest of the Fray seem to be like that. They have a quiet but powerful aura about them and I felt more emotionally connected to their music than I thought I would be. I stood up through almost their entire set...and before I knew it...the show was over. Immediately I longed for the feeling of the drumbeat beneath my feet, rising through my entire body, tingling every nerve. Never could I have predicted the liberating feeling their performance gave me...

I will write more about what happened after the show later. For now I am drowning myself in the Fray's two albums because they will never sound more beautiful than they do right now.