I really like to think he was looking into my eyes during this shot.

The amount of contests I enter is a running joke among my friends. But, I’m OK with the good-natured ribbing because ya can’t win, what ya don’t enter. So I enter every contest that comes through my e-mail box and 96% of the ones I see on Instagram. This has resulted in a fair amount of cool opportunities and concert tickets (& spam e-mails, not gonna lie); but BY FAR, the best contest I ever won resulted in a photography pass for the 1975 at Bayfront Amphitheater in Miami, FL during their show on May 11, 2016.

My sister happily came with me.

She’s the cool one on the right. Trust me she was more excited than she looks here.

Full disclosure: I have zero photography skills and usually only take pics on my phone, so I borrowed my grandma’s Rebel T3 and tried to learn how to use it in the span of thirty minutes. Full disclosure part 2: It took me until half way through the second opening act to figure out how to get the flash off. n00b alert. This was slightly embarrassing especially considering everyone else with a photo pass was legit, but alas, in true fangirl fashion I pretended like I belonged.

seriously, this is the background on my phone. fangirl4real.

The opening acts were The Japanese House-headed by the wistful, posh, and enigmatic songtress, Amber Bain-and Wolf Alice.

Wolf Alice (once I finally figured out how to turn the flash off)

The Japanese House

Next up was the 1975. There is no greater high than the beginning notes of a concert. When the lights black out and then pulse back to life as the first sounds blare out–honestly, there’s nothing like it. It’s like everything seems more technicolor and pure. I live for those moments and the 1975 DELIVERED. Everything was black, and then everything was pink, as the opening notes of Love Me filled the amphitheater. I could barely focus on photographing because I was mesmerized by Matty Healy’s hip thrusting. If you haven’t seen this in person I highly recommend making it happen as soon as possible. I would dare say it’s a transcendent experience.

i mean, even when he looks like a muppet he still looks good?

the lights during this concert were unreal, but made my amateur photography skills even worse.

All in all, it was the most perfect night and one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to.

Thank you Live Nation Florida for choosing me out of the other fab Instagram comments! You the real MVP @livenationfl.

JUST CURIOUS: 

Do y’all have any tips for contests?

Have you seen the 1975, what did you think?

What’s been your favorite concert ever?

Curiously yours,

bailey evin