Written By: Mel
Mel is a music fan from Toronto, Canada, and is here to share her favorite concert story! You can also read about her fan project in "Creating Safe Space."
As a dedicated music fan that has attended a lot of concerts over the years, if anyone asked me which one was my favourite, I would be able to answer without hesitation.
On May 10, I had the honour of experiencing Julia Michaels’ first headline tour. Julia Michaels is a singer/songwriter that has had a positive impact on my life ever since I first heard her voice. Julia has worked as a songwriter for big names such as Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, and Shawn Mendes. She stepped into the spotlight as a singer once she wrote her single Issues after deciding that it was too personal to give to another artist. Since releasing her EP Nervous System in 2017, Julia Michaels has been an opening act for Niall Horan, Shawn Mendes and Maroon 5. At the beginning of 2019, she released her EP, Inner Monologue Part 1, and Inner Monologue Part 2 was released today.
Earlier in January, Julia announced her very first headlining tour. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a show anywhere near my hometown so I was heartbroken. The closest show was in Cleveland, Ohio and was just a few weeks before my 20th birthday. I asked my mom if this trip could be my present. As someone who doesn’t travel unless absolutely necessary, it was a lot for my mom to consider. After weeks of me researching and proving that I deserved this trip, we booked the bus tickets.
The night before the concert, we boarded the first of four Greyhound buses involved in this trip, which amounted to 14 hours of traveling. The trip had its ups and downs but we eventually arrived in Cleveland and my excitement was like shaking up a can of pop. I couldn’t sit still in the cab to the venue! After hours of waiting in the chilly weather, I managed to score front row in the general admission audience. My dream had come true. I anxiously waited for the show to begin and it felt like I waited for years. Finally, the time came and I couldn’t believe I was about to witness such an iconic show. When the show started, the sound of the drums represented how loudly my heart was beating. As soon as she stepped on stage, all of my problems melted away. She smiled right at me, beaming like a ray of sunshine. To spend months and months listening to the same songs over and over again then to be able to sing them with the artist in person is a feeling like no other.
Throughout the show, Julia kept looking right into my eyes and it felt like we were the only people in the room as we sang her lyrics together. She is the best at connecting with fans personally, by holding their hands, looking them in the eyes, and talking to us a lot between songs. In the middle of the show, Julia stands in the middle of the crowd to sing a song, and explained that “I feel more comfortable when I’m as close to my fans as possible.” The show was so intimate with moments where Julia had the crowd chant “This is our safe space”, hold up their phone flashlights during her emotional song Worst in Me and sing-along to her most personal song Anxiety. I've have never felt so happy and safe in an environment such as Inner Monologue Tour and every second of the 14-hour travel was worth it. Many tears of joy were shed, with the most being when she grabbed my hand during my favourite song “Happy."
Julia Michaels is definitely an artist that everyone needs to hear. She is an incredible performer, who has more energy than one can believe. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her and to be able to experience her show in my hometown in November. Be sure to check our her fall tour dates as well as the Inner Monologue Part 2!
Thanks so much Mel for sharing your story!
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