So you want to hear all about the Next Big Thing 3, right? Of course you do!

First of all, hands down this was the best day I can ever remember. But in all seriousness, it was the best day ever! I had so much fun.

The gates were scheduled to open at 10 am, but while being in line for about half an hour and moving a total of two feet by the time it was 10:15, I was getting bummed. Switchfoot was the first to go on stage and I thought I was going to miss them. We could hear the sound checks going on while in this humongous line, so I was getting sad.

But by 10:25, the line moved pretty quickly. We all found a spot by the lake to set up the blankets, and I begged to go into the crowd to see Switchfoot. Me, Amanda, Chelsea, Ashley, and Mick went in the crowd. Jennifer and Wes decided not to come with us. Silly rabbits.

I was so excited to see Switchfoot. I love them so much. They finally came on while we were trying to get closer to the stage. They were so awesome live. You would think the crowd would be hyped up at least a little, right? Well, they were just standing there. Meanwhile, I'm the only one around singing my ass off since I actually knew Switchfoot's songs besides "Meant to Live." I was just happy they played "Gone" and "Adding to the Noise."

When they were reaching the end of their set, mosh pits started forming around us. It was like suddenly, this black hole emerged and we had no space whatsoever. It's like the people around us were trying to mold with us to form one gigantic person. It was insane. By then, Mick had gone because he didn't want to be in the crowd anymore. Another silly rabbit. So it was just us girls. After the pit had gone away, we had more elbow room and inched our way forward.

What's this? MORE mosh pits? This time, us four girls were caught in the middle. Mosh pit to our left. Mosh pit to our right. The dividers? Us, with a few other GIRLS! Yeah, ouch is right.

But we survived. That is, until Yellowcard took the stage and we got closer to the front. They were in the middle of their second song, which ironically had the lyrics "I can hear you breathing, and it's keeping me awake" and he we are gasping for some air, other than the BO of the guys around us.

Nas-tay.

So we got out, which took us like ten freaking minutes because we were packed in like sardines. Like 20 sardines in a package made for 10.

You know you like my analogy.

So we decided that we were going to stay away from the pit for a while. At least until The Ataris came on. Which wasn't for about four hours later. After getting out of the deathly Yellowcard suffocation crowd, we walked around and looked at shirts and stuff. Something Corporate was on next. Their performance? Awesome. Seriously.

We went to the crowd to watch the end of their set, but didn't go diving in. We stood on the outskirts of danger. It was nice to have your own square inch of breathing space and not have to be touchy touchy with everyone in the crowd.

Less than Jake was after Something Corporate. They were awesome, too. We were on the outskirts for their performance, too. After Less than Jake was Smile Empty Soul. Despite my hatred for their music, they actually sounded good live. It wasn't all crappy quality and shitty feedback. The only problem is they have sucky music.

The Ataris were scheduled to go on after Smile Empty Soul. Me and Amanda had a plan. We would go into the crowd during their last song, and try to get to the front for The Ataris. Well, me, Amanda, and Mike (one of her friends), were making our way to the crowd. Just as they finished their last song and left the stage, half the crowd left. Mind you, the half that were leaving were all beer-holding rednecks with wifebeaters or no shirts. Yes, let's give it up to Smile Empty Soul's fans. Redneck biatches with at least one missing tooth and fully equipped with a Korn/Limp Bizkit shirt. Easily spotted from 100 feet with the proper flashlight.

Alright. I'm going to leave you all in suspense, okay? You'll hear all about The Ataris tomorrow. I need to study for my test before I go to work at 7. Lucky me. Hopefully we won't get out at 1 am.

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my music: "Adding to the Noise" by Switchfoot

high + fidelity