My mirror neurons flared and a frown automatically appeared on my mouth as I entered the Wooly this past Valentine’s night for the Against Me! show.
I was stoked to hear that the angst-y, local crew would be playing on my least favorite holiday of the year. Nothing is as transporting as the music you loved during your darker years, right? Now, I would even be able to partake in the free keg of the band’s own brew “Black Me Stout” offered between sets.
The issue at hand: It had been far too long since “New Wave” and “Black Crosses” had graced my ears. I realized this as I walked into the venue. Pleather leggings and combat boots astride, I felt like a fucking poser. These people are a lot cooler than me.
Whatever. We were all there for the same things: punk rock, pints and supporting the local band that really made it.
Via: Running Reckless Tumblr
It all washed away when lead vocalist and guitar player Laura Jane Grace graced the stage.
She was beautiful. Practically an angel who easily commanded the attention of the entire audience. Sitting atop the crux of a transgender ideal — a stunning 6’2” rock goddess — she’s wonderful to watch and has a deep and fantastic voice that landed the band its fame. Little (and big) punk kids crowd surfed under Laura Jane as her infectious energy played all of Against Me!’s hits, and a few from their newest album “Transgender Dysphoria Blues.”
A cute, dance-y blonde stepped on my foot by accident and kindly apologized; the band was playing so well that a happy energy ran like contagion through the crowd. “Not to brag, but I just served them yesterday!” the girl gladly told me. I found out that she works at Leonardo’s. So yes, when you leave Gainesville to tour all over the world, you will still want Florentine pizza and some rolls once you return to the 352.
“I spent a lot of time miserable here in Gainesville,” Laura Jane Grace broke the set to speak. “But now that I’m back I feel much better. You have to be okay with yourself before other people can be okay with you.”
Via: Wikipedia
It was refreshing to see a person, whose presence did so much good for a large audience, was now getting closer to her own internal peace. She attributed her success in part to the support of the Civic Media Center, a rad reading room that calls Gainesville home. The concert was actually a benefit show for the CMC.
One struggle in college is becoming complacent with your comfort zone. I’m guilty of spending too many nights in, attached to my HBO Go or falling for the same old pitcher special at Swamp. But as malleable young adults, this is the best time to go outside of our comfort zones and see the world around us. You never know what you might find even just a few feet outside of your bubble.
Feature photo courtesy of: The Sheaf
