New York: Irving Plaza

Upon landing at JFK, we take a car into the city by way of stop and go traffic directly to the band's venue, Irving Plaza nestled in the heart of Union Square. From a few blocks away, we can see the new tour bus parked out front. The tyrannosaurus-sized black and silver vehicle that will house the entire crew for the next 2 months is a physical representation of all the hard work the band has put in over the last few years. We transfer our luggage and I notce that small group has already begun to conjugate outside the venue's entrance several hours before the doors will open.

Once we are settled, the team heads out as a pack in search of life's necesities: food, water and guitar strings.  My eyes gaze up, holding onto the skyline until I realize I am being left behind. After our successful trips to Best Buy and Whole Foods, we retire back to the bus to partake in our spoils.

The once small group outside the venue has evolved to a line that stretches halfway down the block. The return of the band results in stares of restrained excitement in the awaiting fans. I hop on the bus immediately while the boys pose for pictures and sign albums. Though I have seen this happen before, this is my first experience with the band on the east coast and the energy the crowd put off felt like a new level of fandom.

As dusk falls, D. Wayne and the band head in for soundcheck. I begin to follow them in until my legs, as if on autopilot take a sharp right. I walk past the line that as now wrapped around the block and follow the remnants of the sunset towards the empire state building. New York is the only city on the this part of the tour that I have been to and it just happens to be my favorite city.

The weather is hot and muggy but I ignore my increasingly sticky skin and bask in my exploration of the city. I guess I must appear to be walking with purpose because at one point I am asked by a fellow tourist how to get to Park ave., I confidently point to my left and send her on her way. I am 78% sure I was right.

After about an hour of wandering, I pick up my childhood friend Kaitlin at her 5th ave apartment across the street from the Flat Iron. With her boyfriend in tow, we stroll towards to the venue. Back at  Irving Plaza, the line is disappeared inside and security is ready to search us as well as confiscate my camera; however, the new New Yorker in me talks my way out of that one.

Inside, we meet up with my friend Danica and her roommate. I am so happy to be there while all four attend their first Imagine Dragons concert. The lights go down and the show begins. Looking down from the balcony, I see the crowd sway like an organism to the jungle beats of "Rocks," explode in a deafening singalong to "On Top of the World" and perform a cult-like full torso bob to "Radioactive." This is my 2nd time seeing the new album played live and it is by far their most powerful show to date. Some of my favorite moments are in-between the actual songs when the music swells, taking you on a journey through the evolution of the album, leaving you guessing what track will come next until the last possible second.

The amazing thing about attending a concert is that it can be a communal and deeply personal experience all at once. I felt this and witnessed it in those around me  in New York. It has been emotional  hearing the song "Tiptoe" performed live. I have heard D. Wayne work on the foundation of the song for a long while, later it was built upon with layers of production and Dan's beautiful melodies; It then came together in a full recording. But to hear it live, with the support of the crowd and a sound bigger than I could imagine I can't help but be taken back by the hard work that got the band here and all the blessings we have.

After the show, most the crowd stayed for a meet and greet at the merch table, my friends went home and after a long while the gear was loaded back on the bus. Platzman, D. Wayne and I went on one last walk through the city to get Artichoke Pizza for the group. Reluctantly I got back on the bus, sad to leave my favorite city but excited for the unknown ahead. The wheels began to roll and the band travelled in their bus for the first time.


** The drivel that I write is my own percpective. I do not represent Imagine Dragons or speak on their behaf. I am just a wife along for the ride.