As a self-proclaimed music addict, I’m always seeking out new events where I can get my melodic fix. To score, I scan through promotional emails and the various event organizers that I follow on Instagram. After doing so, I’m able to fill up my schedule with the diverse musical musings that San Diego offers. When I did my usual digging two weeks ago, I landed upon an event that piqued my interest – Brooklyn Emo Night at the House of Blues. I quickly assembled my emo squad through a series of texts and in-person pitches reminiscing about our ‘scene’ days. I was then set for a night out screaming lyrics to songs like The Used’s “Taste of Ink” and Underoath’s “Reinventing Your Exit”.
Fast forward to the day of the event…
I arrived that night with my friends around 8, when the show was slated to start. We scanned the line for its ending and noticed that the patrons were dressed strangely for an emo event. Rather than being clad in all black, they were dressed in plaid shirts, denim skirts, and cowboy boots. Odd – we thought to ourselves. After speaking with a security guard, our doubts were confirmed. They had moved the show’s start time back a couple hours to accommodate a last-minute country music show. Pfft! We decided to kill some time by going to the Coin-Op Game Room (highly recommend their whiskey sours) just a few blocks away.
Upon return to the venue, the crowd was more indicative of what was to come. With clothing from Hot Topic donning old band names, and ripped skinny black jeans, I knew I was about mosh. When I got inside I noticed that the crowd seemed a little younger than what I was expecting, but I was willing to take my chances in the name of punk. The show started off slow, with two guys introducing themselves as they stood behind an elevated laptop. I didn’t know the first round of songs that were played, but everyone around me knew them. So, I fed off their energy and bounced along. Then toward the midpoint of the event the real bangers came in. As Paramore’s “Misery Business” blared from the speakers, my friend and I made our way to the mosh pit where we threw ourselves around while screaming the chorus. Next came New Found Glory’s “My Friends Over You,” which I felt particularly charged about after my recent breakup. At one point, I accidentally launched my drink at those around me and lost several items from my backpack (which have yet to be found – sad face). After getting my pit fill in, I headed back to my emo squad and enjoyed the remainder of the show from a safer spot.
All in all, I would attend this event time and time again. It really brought back the nostalgia I have for my teenage years. The days I spent screaming The Ataris’ “Boys of Summer” with my car windows rolled down. The days I spent walking around my high school’s quad while Taking Back Sunday boomed in the background. These memories are so fond because they remind me of my innocence. A time when I was love ridden, filled with teen angst, and not so scarred by life’s experiences. For the few hours spent at the event, I was transported back to that virtue. This is what music does for me. It’s essentially a time machine that allows us to tap into certain emotions and experiences, all while bringing us together. This is why I’m a music lover; I’m hooked on the high it brings.
If this article brought back memories, and you need more, please click the link below to listen to an emo playlist curated by Lindsey.
Written by Lindsey Rohr & Illustrated by J-Walk
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