7/12/12: The Day I Went To The Midsummer Station

July 12th was a day to which I had been looking forward for a while. The Owl City promo tour concert at Bottom Lounge was that day. I didn't know for sure if I would be able to go, I didn't have the money for a ticket. When I finally had some money, the tickets were sold out. Great. But I knew there had to be a way I could still go. So I posted in the Facebook event for it, and asked if anyone had an extra ticket that they would be willing to sell. A friend of mine, (a friend I met through Owl City) commented saying he had two extra tickets and could sell me one if no one else went with him.

The weekend before the concert, he told me he might not be able to make the 10 hour drive up to Chicago, for many different reasons. He really couldn't make it, but he was kind enough to send me his 3 tickets!

So Thursday, July 12th came around, and I was super excited and a bit nervous. Not a bad kind of nervous, I even get nervous for good things. I guess that's basically just excited. But anyway, before the concert, I started getting restless and I just really wanted to be there already. I was back and forth between Facebook and Pinterest, and creating an Owl City themed outfit on Polyvore. I was antsy and trying to do anything to distract myself. 
We finally left at around 4:00pm, and got to Bottom Lounge in about 40 minutes. I got out of the car and my mom went to find a place to park. I walked around the building to get into the long line. As I walked toward the back of the line, I heard a guy saying; "I'm gonna stay here all day until I meet Adam." Didn't we all wish we could do the same. haha.

We were near the back door of the venue, and we could hear Adam rehearsing. Occasionally someone would open the door to enter or exit, and we could hear him more clearly. First it was 'Fireflies', and then 'Good Time.' There were four girls standing in front of me in line, and one of them asked; "What song is this?" "It's Good Time." I answered. "Oh, that's why. I've only listened to it like once." she said. I know there have been mixed feelings amongst many fans about Adam collaborating with Carly Rae Jepsen for the song, but I love Good Time.

Later on, after finding a parking spot and sitting in the car for a while, my mom joined me in line. Then shortly after that, someone apparently gave the cue to shift the line down the sidewalk along the street rather than circling around the building. This actually made more sense, but we were then farther away from the back door where we could hear Adam, and we were also in the sun. I actually got a slight tan from standing there. lol.

But we were closer to the tour bus, and took lots of pictures of it.

This one was taken from across the street, opposite of where we were lined up.

We stood there for what felt like a very long time, and it being a hot, Chicago summer day didn't help very much. But overall it was actually fun, and of course, more than worth it. There's a McDonald's across the street from Bottom Lounge, so a lot of people took turns walking over to get something to drink or to use the bathroom. There was a small line for the bathroom. They were all Owl City fans, and there was a girl singing Hello Seattle. lol.

More standing in line.... until finally, it was 6:30. The doors opened. It was pretty quick getting in there, anyone (nearly everyone at the concert, lol) who they thought appeared to be under 21 received X's on the backs of their hands.

I snapped this pic quickly as I was walking in. My hand looks a bit odd. haha.

Then if you received X's, you would also get a white, 'Under 21' wristband on your left wrist.

After getting my wristband, I ran into the concert area. We were very close.

The excitement was building, the room was filling, and you had to be sure to stand your ground and keep your spot in the crowd.
There was a couple standing in front of us, and the girl had drawn a picture of Adam, and someone else had a paper airplane to toss. And there was a man in front of us, who was apparently the father of a girl who was there, or something like that. he was holding the little Owl plushie that they were selling there. They were all out of merch after the concert, I really wanted that little Owl. But I can still buy him online. Haha.

A number of random, different songs played on the sound system, and no one seemed to know any of them. Then Adele's 'Rumour Has It' came on. And most of the crowd joined in singing the song. Several other songs we didn't know proceeded, then finally the opening act, the very talented Jayme Dee, came onstage. I really enjoyed her music, she has a great voice, a winning personality, and she's like a combination of Taylor Swift and Adele. She's great. :)

After Jayme was done with her opening act, we had to wait another pretty long while for Adam. Everyone tried to see backstage for a glimpse of him, I heard a girl giddily say; "He's wearing a cardigan!" I was also looking backstage, and I saw a guy donning a dark orange cardigan, but I knew it wasn't Adam, since he had recently gotten a haircut and his hair is also darker now than it used to be. So Adam was very sneaky and we didn't even get a tiny glimpse of him before the show actually started.

Finally the lights went down, and one, only one, guy started trying to push his way forward in the crowd. This ended up pushing the entire crowd in front of him, but he didn't get any farther, because several people pushed back at him a bit. Other than that one person, the rest of the crowd was very calm and respectful.

The music started at last. First, Daniel, the guitarist came onto the stage. He was the one wearing a cardigan. Then out danced Adam! The screams got even louder! The first song, 'Cave In,' had an awesome dubstep break.

"How you guys doin'? Are you ready to go crazy?!

Here's a little dubstep for you, can I see the hands in the air?!!"

And we all did the awesome Adam Young wave, which you can see in the videos on YouTube. My mom took video with her phone, the picture quality is great, but for some unknown reason, the sound is not very good. I really wanted to upload and share the videos, but due to the sound and how long it was taking to upload even one video, I haven't done it.

We all danced, sang, and waved, and it was the most fun I've had in a very long time. Probably ever. And everyone close enough to the stage, including myself, reached out our hands toward Adam, but he only touched about 2 hands near the beginning of the show.

 All of the songs were so amazing live, Shooting Star, Gold, Dementia, Deer in the Headlights, and many more, including Ocean Eyes favorites like Hello Seattle, Umbrella Beach, Meteor Shower, and of course, Fireflies. Fireflies is just so epic and moving live. For the chorus he always has the crowd sing. Which always gave me goosebumps just watching videos of it, but experiencing it live is a really thrilling and moving experience.

The lights went down, and everyone left the stage. The crowd chanted; "ONE MORE SONG! ONE MORE SONG! ONE MORE SONG!" Which turned into; "ONE MORE SONG, PLEASE!" And of course we knew there would be at least one more song, as is customary for Owl City concerts. Plus, since I heard him rehearsing Good Time and he hadn't yet played it, I knew it would be up next.

So back onstage they came, and a very Good Time was had, indeed.

"Hands up if you're down to get down tonight, 

'cause it's always a good time!"

And all our hands flew into the air. I still put my hands up when I listen to Good Time. lol.

Unfortunately, all concerts must end at some time. Adam said goodbye, and we all waved goodbye to him, too. They left the stage, and the crowd started dispersing pretty quickly. A lot of people moved up to the stage to ask for little things from the people who were clearing the stage, and they tossed several guitar picks into the small crowd, they gave someone Adam's water bottle, and there was a girl standing next to me who asked for the set list, and she got it. I wish I had thought of that! lol.

We walked out of the venue, and I was in a bit of a daze. I was very thirsty and my voice was hoarse from all that screaming and singing. My ears were ringing from all the music and I think it was also due to my own screaming. Hah. My throat was actually hurting a bit for a couple of days after that. And my ears were still ringing the next morning.

I could hardly believe that the show was already over, and it was a little bittersweet, but I'll never forget that night, and I'll never cease to be grateful to Adam and everyone else for putting on a great show. And I'm especially grateful to my friend, Micky, for being so gracious as to send me his tickets! I know I've said it a ton of times, but thank you! lol.

I wish I could join you and the rest of the group at the concert in Nashville! But someday when I'm able, and there's another Owl City show in Nashville, I'll make the trip out there! :)

This was my first ever Owl City concert, and I look forward to going to many more!

I hope you enjoyed this post and that you felt at least somewhat like you got to be there! lol.

I also hope that you will purchase and listen to Owl City's new album 'The Midsummer Station' which is available now!

Thanks for reading!

Andréa <3