this happened

Sometimes things happen that you never even imagined would happen in your wildest dreams. 

It's kind of like... Someone giving you a whole pie just because. But better. Because the most recent one of these for me was my LOVELY friends Minden and James (who are also the cutest engaged couple of ever, and will someday soon be the cutest married couple of ever) having an extra ticket to the Mumford and Sons concert at the Saltair two weeks ago. It was kind of pretty much so incredibly magic.

Picture vomit time. Excuse the sad, blurry point-and-shoot pictures.

 

Slow Club and Nathaniel Rateliff, the two opening acts. They were amazing!

The cutest engaged couple of ever (you might recognize Minden from this)

Maggi (Minden's cousin) and I. These were our "We don't have dates" faces. That was before we decided to be each others' dates. It shall go down in history as one of the most successful blind dates in history, because this girl is slowly becoming friend of the best variety.

The venue exceeding perfection. It was gorgeous. 

And finally Mumford!

They did not disappoint. The entire concert was phenomenal. Seriously, if you ever have a chance to see Mumford live? Don't even think twice. I almost didn't go, and I am fairly sure my life would be about 20% less cool had I not. 

Also, bucket list item crossed off. Yessss.

Now listen to this song.

Now go do yourself a favor and pre-order their new CD. kthxbye

that one time, when my life was made

So a few weeks ago, I found out that Bon Iver was coming to play in Salt Lake with a band called The Staves.

As Bon Iver is one of my very favorite bands, I got really excited... Until I found out that it was already sold out, and that even if it hadn't been sold out, tickets were $40-$70, which I certainly can't afford at this point.

I had accepted the fact that it wasn't going to happen.

Last Monday, I got a text from my lovely friend Tad - "What are you doing tomorrow night? Wanna go to a Bon Iver concert?"

I just kind of sat for a second, then completely geeked out. I told him yes, I would absolutely love to. Then I told all of my friends who would appreciate the news, because I simply could not hold it inside, and made a Spotify playlist of both bands that would be playing. I immediately loved the Staves, and thoroughly enjoyed listening to so much Bon Iver :)

Anyway, fast forward to Tuesday night. Tad picked me up, we went to his house and waited for his brother to go pick up his date, our friend Monique, then made sandwiches and headed to Red Butte Garden, where the concert was going to take place. We waited in a nice long line outside the amphitheater - got to hear The Staves doing sound checks, which made the wait nicer - then went in and found a spot on the lawn inside. We ate our sandwiches and drank tasty juice and waited for The Staves to come on.

And then they did.
And then Bon Iver did  later.
AND THEY WERE ALL SO FANTASTIC.
I wish that I could fully and adequately describe in words how it was to be there.
Music is such a powerful medium. But more on that later. I have a whole post worth of thoughts on that topic. ;)

Anyway, I officially crossed seeing Bon Iver live off of my Bucket List. But I'd be okay adding a "x2" next to it. Or maybe like "xhowever-many-times-they-come-for-the-rest-of-their-togetherness," because I'd be totally okay with that as well. Everyone that performed did incredibly. They are all so talented....

Suffice it to say that -
1) I love three-part harmony.
2) I love Bon Iver, especially their self-titled album.
3) I love live music.
4) Live music gives me butterflies. (I've tried to make moves but it's usually crowded... S'pose I'll make do with boys for now. Sigh.)
5) Almost everything is better outside, even if it's kinda chilly.

Thanks to Tad, Monique, Sean, The Staves, Bon Iver, Red Butte Garden, Red Butte Garden's sponsors, camera phones (however crappy), free stuff, autographs, and the beautiful, clear night sky. Also to my Father in Heaven who made all of those things... The guy knows what he's doing, that's for sure.


Seriously?
Life. Made.

wow. UPDATED

This girl is incredible.

   

Guess what?

She's my age.

Eighteen years old... On her way up. My goodness.

Sometimes people like that give me a case of the "I feel inadequate"s, but she just inspires me.

Oh, look at her website!

I want to write my own music.

And also play the guitar like a boss.

And sing like a bird.

Okay. That's all. :)

UPDATE: That awkward moment when you realize that you didn't include the videos in the post.

sheeeeepish

I know I said I would post Sunday, but I didn't... And I didn't post yesterday...

Yeah. Well. A real post will happen sometime this week.

But meanwhile...

The two most exciting tickets of my year! 

I am so incredibly excited. :)

Hunger Games on March 23rd and Ingrid Michaelson on April 19th!

And thennnn...

Here's a song for ya.

I'm super into The National these days!

This is probably my current favorite song.

And last, but never least,

Sketchy Andy.

Who would be my hero, except that the things he does scare me. :)

So cool.

The world is full of amazing people!

One day I will try slacklining. Whenever the opportunity presents itself!