Last Friday, I had one of the most thrilling and joyful experiences of my life. Possibly even the best one ever if I were to be honest.

I finally got to attend an Owl City concert.

Who is Owl City, you might ask? Well, my friends, if I were to tell you, "Fireflies" that alone might be enough for you. But to me, it's more than that; it's an eccentric young man and his miraculous piece of work.

Understandably, this may not be a big deal to anyone who reads this. I myself often have to scoff at the skyscraper of a pedestal I've put it on, but it's the truth. I really looked forward to seeing this performance since March, and I almost believed it wouldn't happen, but it did. For once, Fortune favored me and granted this one wish that meant the world.

This whole trip couldn't have been more dubious when it was decided on. The only close-by location in Pennsylvania was too expensive - the alternative involving going all the way out to Columbus, Ohio, and knowing how well my parents get along... Well, let's just say it could have easily lead to a devastating disaster in a hurry.

But the moment I stepped foot inside the LC Pavilion, the second I approached the stage due to being pushed into it by Mom while Dad opted to observe from the back, it all hit me and I began to shiver and shake. I had CHILLS speeding down my back like a train spiraling out of control; my thoughts raced constantly with, "I'm here, I made it... I'm finally going to see him."

I have to say that during the concert, my usually calm demeanor slowly went south and out of character, like some poorly written fanfic. You see, by nature, I'm an introvert and a little aloof. Expressing emotions has never been one of my strong points for as long as I can remember. Thinking about it, the one thing that has me the most intrigued about Adam Young is the mere fact of exactly how long I've followed him now. There are many people in the past I took an interest in that lasted little more than a month, but him? There's just something about him that gets me to stay. And that night, I figured I would finally know precisely why.

The first act was Unwed Sailor, a primarily instrumental band founded by a Johnathon Ford. I've seen them be listed several times as one of Adam's influences and when I heard he was gonna get to tour with them; I can only imagine how ecstatic he got over this. I did want to give some of their music a listen prior to the concert, but kept putting it off because I'm a lazy procrastinator. However, it was probably for the best because after I saw their opening act, I can CERTAINLY see why he enjoys their music so much. To put it simply: THEY. WERE. AWESOME. I'm a fan of instrumental music in general, and seeing a band perform that specific genre live was a totally exhilarating sensation! The guy with the beard ROCKED the stage to the point he was pouring with sweat and he was even able to tune his guitar WHILE playing. That's skill! And the drummer...Wow. Just...WOW. That kind of jam NEEDS to be done more often.

I can't tell you the titles of the songs they played, but I do recommend giving them a listen. VERY worth it to be introduced to them this way in my opinion.

The next act was Mat Kearney and his band. This was a bit new and I hadn't heard of him until the tour was announced. With my lack of knowledge, I had no idea what to expect of him: his sound, style, or otherwise. He wasn't too bad, infact he was pretty fun to have around. I did like the show he put on, the little jokes he made, and I did find myself enjoying what he had to offer. During one song, he did something really cool: in the middle of his song, he jumped into the crowd and continued to sing while walking through the ocean of people all around the venue before getting back up on stage. THAT was COOL. After the song, he proceeded to point out someone groped his rear "quite aggressively" which made me howl. Poor guy... But I did like his music and I wouldn't mind hearing him again if given the chance. (And by the way, Mom got a crush on Kearney's base guitarist during their performance (whom I believe is called Mike.). XD)

With all the entertaining and exciting warm-up acts wrapped up, it was time. Time for that big moment... The whole audience was brimming with an apprehensive tension as we all waited to see the Big Event. I swallowed a lump in my throat the mere second the members of Owl City took the stage and their positions, starting a familiar song off the brand new album, "All Things Bright and Beautiful". He didn't come on stage immediately; first the melodies of the first song to be performed, and then, just when the lyrics took place, THERE, he came out. Elegantly and jovially, just as I had seen in old YouTube videos, he came and started singing part of the chorus from "The Real World".

What a fantastic and invigorating moment that was... Seeing the man behind the myth no more than a few feet away, singing the songs I had become so fond of over the last few months and weeks. (I had promised not to listen to any of the songs off the "All Things Bright and Beautiful" album until I bought it, which was one month before the concert I planned to see him at).

This wasn't a photo, this wasn't a YouTube video; this was reality. I wasn't watching on my crappy, ulcer-inducing desktop at home, I was here in person, seeing him perform live with his band...And I enjoyed and savored every minute of it. I can't even begin to describe how entranced I was at the scene taking place before me. Like earlier, I questioned if it was even real at first, but all was not an illusion or a taunting dream. It was real, VERY real.

There's honestly little bad I can say about this event, if there's anything bad I could say about it at all. As I watched, for the first time in a long time, I had this surge of happiness flow through me. Getting to see someone that's lit up my darker world with his blinding light; with his beautiful and meticulous words, his amazing personality, and the way he handled himself up on that stage. Truly a merrily divine sight to behold...

At first, I intended to keep myself composed the whole time I watched, being the stingy person I am despite the happiness I felt being here. But then something happened, something I'm not sure did happen, but felt like it did somehow. Just after he was finishing up the dreamy song "Hello Seattle", he swiftly turned his gaze towards my half of the audience and I could've sworn that for a brief instant, his eyes locked with mine.

Now, I won't say with certainty that our eyes met 'cause in no way do I want to sound like one of those weirdo fangirlie types. All I'm going to say is that when that moment occurred, my whole attitude changed. My plan of remaining still and reserved was suddenly thrown out the window and batted out all the way to the next galaxy at a fierce speed of light. Out of nowhere, a thought came into my head, "This isn't what he wants, and nor do you" meaning that he doesn't want to see people just standing there, he wanted to see them having fun and connecting with the music he worked so hard to create. After I came to that realization, "Deer in the Headlights" - an upbeat and crazy song about being unlucky in love - started up and I let go at last, singing and dancing along with the rest of the people who came.

I don't know what happened, nor do I intend to think too deeply about it, but that's how it went and carried on for the rest of the concert. The only time it got fairly silent again was when he played a heartbreaking piece called, appropriately, "Lonely Lullaby". I understand this song is very sensitive and personal to him given what it's about. I'll say for the record, it's not one of my favorites even though it's not too bad, but it means a lot to him. I could only see him from the back for this part because he played solely on piano, but I had to wonder, among the silence of the other fans listening, what goes through his mind as he touches his fingers to the keys and sings those melancholy lyrics. Does it kill him every time? Is this his way of coping with the pain? It's definitely none of my business to say, but I know this must mean a great deal to him. I could hear in his voice the emotion he puts into this particular song and I merely want to say I hope it helps to make him grow stronger.

All dramatic musings aside, the whole concert was memorable and more well-done than I have the words for. I can sit here and type up the brilliance of each and every song performed, but that would take up far too much time and I feel this entry has gone on long enough.

I will say that the final act was SHEERLY climatic. The final song for the evening was the romantic "If My Heart Was a House" and it ended in one of the wildest ways I've ever seen. At the end of the song, Adam and his bandmates went all out and started dancing around on the stage. He grabbed his stool and used it to first act like he's dancing with it then proceeded to use it as a guitar, Laura Musten (on violin) got out of her chair and skip-danced all around, and everything got so CRAZY.

Without a doubt, what an INGENIOUS way to end the show. Especially when he and his bandmates lined themselves up onstage clasping hands and gave a generous and grateful bow to the whole crowd before exiting to the right. I had the time of my life, SERIOUSLY. I CAN'T recall the last time I had this much fun; it just feels like forever ago!

On the way home, my pupils were rapidly changing from hearts to stars at an alarming rate. I was wonderstruck; awed. All I could do was sit in the back seat through the return home and replay it in my head over and over. Like wanting to see your favorite movie as many times as you possibly can and never getting enough even after thousands of replays. Know one thing that was amazing? I overheard my parents talking on and on about this being one of the best shows they've ever seen, and especially being fond of Laura Musten's epic violin and Hannah Scroeder's mean cello skills, making me grin from ear-to-ear. It says something to hear them agreeing with one another to give such praise.

What's even more amazing about this? That nothing went wrong. NOTHING. My parents fought only a few times on the way there and back, and it wasn't bad enough to ruin this enthralling evening that's now a memory I will always keep. I will never, EVER forget this moment for as long as I live.

Never:

Owl City – Columbus, OH
Owl City – Columbus, OH 2
Owl City – Columbus, OH 3

Adam Young, born of the North Star, you are exceptional. You're a miracle in the flesh... You and your friends did wonders that night. I wish I could shower you all with the compliments you deserve but I'm struggling to find those right words as I type this out. Just know that I'm tremendously glad I discovered Owl City, one of the few things that bestows mirth in my life.

I sincerely thank the Creator for your existence. I really do.

-Rogue

PS: I wanted to post this on Adam's 25th birthday but I'm a little too late. Ah, well. Happy belated birthday and all good wishes to him!

PPS: If you look closely to the right in some of the videos, you might see something interesting with an outdated cellphone.