I Been Drinkin’

Imagine yourself surrounded by a crowd of happy fans of music that you love. It’s the Made in America Festival in Philadelphia, and it’s your first time in the city and at the festival. It’s September 2015, and you’re a few feet away from the biggest stage you’ve ever seen in person. You’re here to see the one person that’d make you spend all the money that you don’t really have. Hours ago you flew in on a plane that rescued you from college homework, and now you’re actually here. The day has slowly ticked away. But, you are filled with joy because it’s approaching the time you’ve waited for since the first time you heard her music. And overall. The day, for the most part, has been a positive learning experience and amazing. To get through the nerves and the wait, you whisper your favorite lyrics to the first song you think she’ll sing tonight…

No complaints from my body…

Now, imagine a hour has passed. The crowd that’s surrounding you is much bigger. Before, it felt decent sized. Modest. Now, it’s massive. Things have shifted. The energy and heat is rising. It’s becoming what you heard a music festival should be like in the heat in Philadelphia. You begin to get a little antsy and worried, but your mind reassures you that you’re okay. As the amateurs and casual fans trickle off, you’ll get even closer to the front. And, the sun is slowly going down. The hard part should be over. You keep tiptoeing forward and singing…

So fluorescent under these lights…

Now, imagine another hour has passed. You can feel the weight of every minute. The crowd surrounding you is now shoulder to shoulder. The amateurs and casual fans did trickle off. But, that means you’re now surrounded by survivors. Your bubble you briefly had now has been invaded by sweaty ecstatic BeyHive fan club members who refuse to be turned away. Did I mention that this is a Beyoncé performance coming up? Yes. Ring the alarm. This isn’t just joy anymore. This is a battle. This is a fight to see the Queen herself. First timers, tenth timers, backpackers, and Stans all resemble each other. Same desire and passion. The chants of her name get louder, as you keep conserving energy and singing to yourself for strength…

I’m never tired, never tired…

Now, imagine you’re a few minutes away from the show of your life. Beyoncé! Beyoncé! Your second wind has hit, and the shoulder to shoulder stickiness doesn’t bother you as much. Everyone is overwhelmed, no one wants to lose their spot they’ve stood in for hours, and the Porta Potty is too gross and far away anyway. You’re ready for the Queen. Everyone’s ready. Everyone’s singing…

I want you, right now…

Now, imagine the flashing lights. All the people drunk in love. All the cameras that will be all in her grill. You knew you’d be up all night, but you’re a survivor and didn’t forget. The lyrics you’ve been singing under your breath are now about to be blasting through the speakers. You look around to see all the different faces around you. The different races, genders, ages, levels of excitement. All the different styles of lights, huge screens, cameras in the air. Even the people you saw as competitors, have now become your friends and teammates. All members of The Hive. The stories of Beyoncé fans being wild and different were proven wrong. You are people who just love a very talented artist, and are just as rational as any other fan of good music! Then, you hear the crowd behind you all make a loud noise of panic. A displeasing sound. Not a boo, but a sound of disappointment. A partition begins. The tolerance for shoulder to shoulder is gone. You turn around with confusion. Ready to tell everyone to relax, we almost made it. But, then you see. You gasp. You notice what everyone else has. Not only is this person directly behind you struggling to shove their privates in a bottle to pee inside. No. You gasp because you all were betrayed! You thought all the amateurs and casual fans left this BeyHive dominated area a long time ago. A travesty…

I’ve been drinkin’, I’ve been drinkin’…

Now, imagine yourself surrounded by a crowd of fans of music that you love. It’s the Made in America Festival in Philadelphia, and it’s your first time in the city and at the festival. The person behind you attempts to pee in a bottle, and instead gets pee on themselves and most the people around them as they push through the crowd to sadly go home. But, the lights go down. The screens shine bright. The voice of the Queen Bey dances into your ears. And you forget everything that happened one minute ago. They’re gone. And it’s all better now…

If you’re saying to yourself, you’d be too grossed out to stay in that crowd. Then, it tells me a lot about you. And, you just may not be ready for this life. I ask you to please, keep your liquids to yourself. But, most importantly, don’t be ashamed to not stand with us until you’re ready to hang with us. In situations like this, I want to say the BeyHive learned something, but it’s more of a reminder:

Be prepared for anything at a Beyoncé concert…