I’ve said it before, but Fun./The Format has been my “high school band.” I know that when my kids ask me who my favorite band was, what songs defined defined my teenage years, I’ll tell them that it was Take Your Time or On Your Porch.
I’ve been to three Fun. concerts now, all in Arizona. I feel it’s important to note that I’m from Arizona because of the connection the band has with my state, since Nate’s from here. So many of his lyrics talk about coming out of the sun, finding a way out of the desert- which is exactly what I’m doing. I’m finally leaving Arizona, striking out for college. I’m absolutely terrified… but listening to Nate’s musical progression through his bands about finding comfort with coming home and discovering yourself has meant everything to me. And as the band has worked so extraordinarily hard for so long, seeing their efforts culminate in this mass success gives me hope that what I’m about to do by leaving will work out as well.
Tonight I had the amazing opportunity to see fun. at the Mesa Center for the Arts. Though it was different than the other concerts- it had seating!- I still danced the entire show. I cried through Take Your Time, as lyrics have never been so applicable for me before. Afterwards, we waited at the back. We met Jack, and I was shell shocked. I respect him so much, and there he was. Signing my shirt and high fiving me. I said some gibberish, because it just didn’t seem real. I wish I could have been more eloquent. Perhaps I would have explained that for almost every memory of high school- between misgivings, disappointment, euphoria- his band’s music has marked it all.
It all feels so unreal. I’m so incredibly happy and grateful- for this music, and for everything that has happened to me as the music has played.
