Narrative

Stay Alive |-/

             Waiting in line for 2 hours didn't faze me with what was coming soon in the forefront of my mind. My closest friends were withstanding the excruciatingly long lapse in time by my side. A plane in the clouds drug a banner through the bright blue sky which read "Stay Alive |-/." The anticipation was building and the burning sun was battling the cool breeze for control over the temperature of the sidewalk outside of the LC Pavilion. The wait seemed to drag on forever, however the excitement made it stretch for days in our minds. The gates, the only thing separating us from what was to become one of the most memorable nights in my life, finally opened and we rushed in, viewing the open field before us surrounded by walls. The crowd filled the "pit" and the wait seemed to continue. People stood all around me, the concrete box we were in was hot beneath my feet. I looked behind me  to almost envy the people sitting on the grass on the hill, enjoying the breeze. The sun was beginning to set, however we were in the pit, within 25 feet from the main stage. There was no way I was going to surrender this spot, the one that I pushed and shoved my way to obtain. The heat and sweat was already beginning to take its toll, and the slightest breeze that made its way to our faces was a gift from above.

           

The opening bands riled up the crowd, drenched in sweat, fueled with adrenaline the crowed moved left and right, rocking like a wave that never ended. The sun had set behind the Columbus skyline, we were staring at an ominous black wall on stage. Fans were crowd surfing, beach balls were being batted back and forth between nervous people just waiting to see the two men that we were all here to see. We finally heard it, after waiting for what seemed like days. The bass, was low and hummed louder and louder and the crowd's sudden cry for more sounded like a monstrous body standing before the stage. The mechanical black veil was lifted, the electronic whirring revealed a the massive metal sign that simply read "|-/."

                                              

The electronic melody filled the grounds, the two piece band wearing ski masks made their appearance at last. The local band from little ol' Columbus, Ohio has made it. Getting the record deal with Fueled by Ramen, becoming one of MTV's most wanted artists, Twenty|One|Pilots was back in their hometown for their largest headlining show that they have ever played. Nothing could stop this crowd, we were all part of this movement, this experience was what we all worked for. They remind us that we are what made this possible, we are all part of Twenty | One | Pilots. I could feel the bass bellow through my chest, my entire body pulsed with the music. The lyrics that we have all known, that we all sing and we all believe were expressed with more passion than I have ever seen. Kids that have been to multiple of their shows in dirty Columbus venues were recognizable, kids like me who experience local music and cherish it for the prideful enjoyment that it is. Every word that came from the man's odd mouth was accompanied by every fan at this sold out Columbus show. The energy that flowed from the stage filled and resonated the entire amphitheatre full of 6,000. Our shirts were drenched with sweat, half of it was not our own. Strangers became friends, and they had to. Sharing the exhaustion, the heat, and the belief that this band's message portrayed, we were all one body of people. Tyler Joseph, front man and pianist, and Josh Dunn, our passion filled drummer, this two piece band from Columbus Ohio, has become one of the biggest things to happen in this city in modern pop culture.            

  Exhaustion was not an option, arms lifted to the sky, clapping in unison, chanting the poetic lyrics. A sea of hands, a sea of chanting people was all I could see as I gazed around, making sure everyone was enjoying this as much as I was. This awkward singer, wearing a skeleton mask, tattoos that mean nothing to those who don't understand, screaming his lungs out to show everyone there that hope is achievable. Josh Dun broke stick after stick, slamming his snare as hard as he could. Jumping from balconies, back flips off of pianos, playing in the middle of the crowd, they did it all. I was a part of an amazing crowd, witnessing pure emotion and music like I never have before. The last beat of the drum, and confetti filled the sky like a never-ending cannon shot. White paper filled the air, blurred our vision, and drew one of the most memorial nights to a close, leaving us with the message. "Stay Alive |-/."

 .. video of opening to 
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3cqprhjFA1qcsyeqo1_500.jpg (Pic 1)