Hot Chelle Rae Concert by Vanessa Rodriguez

           On November 8^th I embarked on an adventure that I had decided to do on my own. I bought the ticket to the Hot Chelle Rae concert not really knowing what to expect. It was my first time going to a real concert and my first time going to a concert alone. I only knew two things: I loved this band and I wanted to meet them. I did not know how or when to make this happen only that I desperately wanted to meet them and that it would be sufficient drive to wait for them.

I arrived to the Water Rats Theatre, conveniently located inside of a bar, an hour and a half before the concert was set to start. I was the fourth person to have arrived for the concert. I took a seat on one of the couches and prepared myself for what I thought would be the longest hour and a half of my life. The girl sitting next to me sat quietly for the first 30 minutes with me until the rest of her friends arrived. After a while the girl sitting next to me decided to ask me if I was waiting for someone or if I had come alone, I told her I had come alone and I was really excited to see the band. I cannot remember their names for the life of me but they were really nice in starting a conversation with me and while I did not stay with them for all of the pre show. It was nice to have met some people who were also studying abroad except they were from Japan but even so we exchanged stories of our newfound adventures in England.

            Finally the doors opened, and since I was on my own again I scrambled to get as close to the stage as possible. I managed to get behind the first line of girls at the stage which I consider a success. The opening acts to Hot Chelle Rae were a rock band named Mars Patrol and a ska band named the Curious Incident. The opening acts were amazing and built up the energy in the room. Then it was time. Jamie Follese, Nash Overstreet, and Ian Keaggy took their places on the stage and began to play as the final member of the ensemble Ryan Follese took the stage. They sang the hits of their first album Lovesick Electric and a cover of Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream. Their final song was their big hit “Tonight, Tonight.” They don’t dance or do any boy band things but the way that they commanded the stage and their voices and music took over the room was indescribable.

            I was sad when I realized that the concert had ended. It was such a great night of music and meeting new people. When I stepped out of the theatre and into the bar, the members of Mars Patrol were hanging out selling t-shirts and CDs. I had an incredible conversation with Davina, the lead singer, Nelson, the lead guitarist, and James the bassist. We exchanged e-mail addresses and took pictures. Then the members of Hot Chelle Rae came out in to the bar. It was exactly what I wanted. I got to talk to each of the members of the band and take pictures with each one of them. I cannot say how incredibly genuine they were. They were in all earnesty down to earth. That night was definitely a night to remember. 

With Ryan Follese of Hot Chelle Rae